BMW opens orders for electric i3 50 xDrive and gears Leipzig plant for Neue Klasse production

BMW unveiled its M Concept Neue Klasse at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, showcasing design language and powertrain architecture for the forthcoming fully electric M3 slated for 2027.

The company has also started accepting orders for the BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition, the second model of the Neue Klasse and the first fully electric Series 3. The sedan combines two electric motors delivering 345 kW (469 hp) and 645 Nm, a 108.7 kWh battery offering up to 906 km (WLTP) range, and an 800‑V system that can charge at up to 400 kW – adding about 423 km in ten minutes. It supports bidirectional charging for home or grid use. Prices are €75,340 for the First Edition and €65,900 for the base specification, with deliveries planned for autumn 2026.

In parallel, BMW is retooling its Leipzig factory this summer for a 5.5‑week production pause to prepare for the next generation of fully electric vehicles under the Neue Klasse banner. The multi‑million‑euro upgrade will enable the site, which employs more than 11,600 workers and already built the i3, to produce future electric models, reinforcing Leipzig’s role in Germany’s expanding e‑mobility sector.