BMW has brought forward the market launch of its new i3 after strong demand pushed pre-orders beyond 100,000, making the electric sedan one of the company’s most closely watched new models.

The i3 was originally scheduled to go on sale in Europe this autumn, but BMW opened orders for the i3 50 xDrive First Edition in Germany and the UK on June 18. The First Edition starts at about US$86,000 in Germany, while the standard model is expected to arrive at the end of September at a lower price.

Australia will receive the new i3 in early 2027, with pricing expected to be around A$100,000 or slightly below.

The car is built on BMW’s new-generation electric architecture and features a 108.7kWh usable battery, dual motors producing 345kW and 645Nm, and a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.7 seconds. BMW quotes a WLTP range of up to 912km, while the EPA figure is around 710km.

Charging is another major feature. The 800-volt system can accept up to 400kW of DC charging, with BMW claiming that 10 minutes can add as much as 423km of range. The First Edition also supports 22kW AC charging.

Inside, the i3 introduces BMW’s new digital interface, including a 43-inch panoramic display, a 17.9-inch central touchscreen and a 3D head-up display. Four central computers replace thousands of separate control modules.

The i3 is not expected to be a mass-market model at its initial price, but BMW’s strong order book signals growing consumer interest in its new electric strategy. A lower-priced single-motor version could broaden its appeal significantly.