BMW will discontinue the i4 electric sedan later this year, effectively replaced by the newly unveiled i3, according to statements made by company executives. The decision, confirmed during a press event in Munich, marks a shift in BMW’s electric vehicle strategy.
Bernd Körber, BMW’s head of product, stated the i3 is “more or less the successor of the i4,” though he left open the possibility of a future model that could more directly replace the i4. The i4, launched in 2022, received a facelift in 2024, but production is slated to end by the close of 2026.
The move comes as BMW prepares to launch the i3, which is built on the company’s new “Neue Klasse” platform. The i3 is slightly smaller than the i4, measuring one inch shorter in length, a half-inch wider, and 1.3 inches taller. While pricing for the i3 has not been finalized, This proves expected to start around $53,000, approximately $6,000 less than the i4.
A key factor in the decision appears to be the i3’s superior range. The i4 offers a maximum range of 318 miles in its most efficient configuration, while the i3 50 xDrive model is projected to achieve a range of 440 miles. The overlap in size and pricing, combined with the i3’s extended range, made the continued production of the i4 less viable, according to BMW representatives.
Despite the i4’s impending discontinuation, Körber hinted at further developments in BMW’s electric lineup, stating, “You will see the portfolio unfold over the next years in terms of electric. So more to come.” BMW has also indicated that a new 4 Series, utilizing the Neue Klasse platform, is under development, though details remain unconfirmed. A two-door i4 coupe, designated the i4 NA2, has reportedly been approved for production, but it is unclear if this model will ultimately serve as a direct replacement for the outgoing i4.
The i3 is expected to go on sale later this year as a 2027 model. BMW is also planning an i3 Touring, an electric wagon version of the i3, which is under consideration for the US market.
