BMW i3 electric sedan begins production in Munich

BMW i3 production start Neue Klasse electric sedan i3 M prototype

BMW has started series production of the new i3 electric sedan at its Munich plant. The model, part of the Neue Klasse platform, uses an 800‑volt architecture that delivers higher range, faster charging and a 10 % reduction in manufacturing costs, according to plant director Peter Weber. Early orders were opened ahead of schedule because of strong demand, prompting a steep production ramp‑up.

A high‑performance i3 M variant is being developed for a 2027 launch. Spy photos show a prototype with aggressive styling, larger air intakes, four electric motors delivering roughly 700 hp and a 700 km WLTP range. BMW also unveiled an i3 Touring (station‑wagon) concept; the only notable change is the removal of the traditional rear glass hatch to save weight and improve aerodynamics.

These developments expand BMW’s electric‑vehicle lineup and signal a shift toward fully electric models at the Munich factory from 2027 onward.

Entities

Audi AG · Audi Q7 · Audi Q8 · Audi Q9 · BMW AG · BMW Group · BMW X5 · BMW i3 · BMW i3 M · BMW iX3 · Bratislava plant · Gernot Döllner

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] The iX3 50 xDrive uses dual‑motor all‑wheel drive delivering 345 kW (463 hp) and 645 Nm, accelerating 0‑100 km/h in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 210 km/h. soyacincau.com · paultan.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Mexico plant will join three other BMW sites – Debrecen (Hungary), Munich (Germany) and Shenyang (China) – for Neue Klasse vehicle production. industriemagazin.at
[○ 1 SOURCE] BMW is converting its San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico into a production site for Neue Klasse electric vehicles and high‑voltage batteries starting in 2027. industriemagazin.at
[● 2 SOURCES] The iX3 50 xDrive is equipped with a 108.7 kWh NMC battery on an 800 V architecture, offering a WLTP range of 679–805 km and fast charging that adds about 372 km in ten minutes. soyacincau.com · paultan.org
[● 2 SOURCES] The BMW iX3 50 xDrive is available in Malaysia at a price of RM378,800 (or RM399,800 with the service package). soyacincau.com · paultan.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] BMW unveiled a new generation i3 at the Chengdu auto show in China, built on the Neue Klasse platform with an 800 V, 108 kWh battery, WLTC range over 1,000 km and ten‑minute charge adding 400 km. www.ithome.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Mexico plant will become one of five global locations for sixth‑generation high‑voltage battery production, alongside Debrecen, Shenyang, Woodruff (USA) and Irlbach (Germany). industriemagazin.at
[○ 1 SOURCE] BMW allocated €800 million to the Mexico plant project, with more than €500 million earmarked for battery assembly facilities. industriemagazin.at
[● 2 SOURCES] The upcoming Q8 will remain a combustion‑engine SUV despite Audi’s broader electrification strategy. www.motor1.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The new Q8 will share its platform with the current Q7 and may retain V6 and V8 gasoline engines. autorepublika.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said there was previously no decision on a successor to the Q8, but the company has now decided to develop a new generation. www.autoblog.nl · autorepublika.com · www.motor1.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Production of the new Q8 will take place at Audi’s Bratislava plant in Slovakia. www.motor1.com