BMW opens i3 sedan orders months early amid strong demand

BMW has accelerated the launch of its new all-electric i3 sedan, opening order books months ahead of schedule due to unexpectedly high customer demand. The automaker began taking orders for a special First Edition model in Germany on Thursday, June 18, 2026, moving up a timeline that originally called for sales to begin this fall.

The decision was reportedly driven by strong interest following the car's debut at the Munich Motor Show in March. According to sources familiar with the matter, enthusiasm for the sedan has surpassed even the positive response to the larger iX3 electric SUV, which previously accumulated tens of thousands of orders. The i3 is also generating significant interest in China, a critical market for electric vehicles.

Only one version, the i3 50 xDrive, is available initially. It features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing 469 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque. Preliminary EPA testing estimates its range at approximately 440 miles, while European WLTP testing rates it up to 559 miles. Power comes from a roughly 107 to 108 kWh battery pack.

A key feature is its 800-volt Gen6 architecture, which enables ultra-fast charging. The i3 can charge at...