BMW i1 and i2 confirmed – sedan, hatchback and crossover expected, based on FWD Neue Klasse platform

upcoming Neue Klasse BMW’s vehicles may initially come in the form of electric versions of the 3 Series and X3, but Munich plans to expand the product line rapidly in the coming years. This will start with compact electric cars that will complement gasoline and diesel engines. first And 2 linescalled i1 and i2.

Based on carSources say these models will help join BMW’s more affordable electric vehicle lineup, which currently has a starting price of RM249,800 for this model. iX1. The I1 will be offered in 2026 as a hatchback and a first for the 1 Series outside China And Mexicoa sedan.

Meanwhile, the i2 will appear in 2027 as a crossover, although not an SUV because it will carry the “X” brand. Instead, company insiders are promoting it as a spiritual successor to the original. i3 hatchback – electric car 2 Series Active Tourer, maybe? A “coupé” version of the i2 with a sleeker roofline is also being developed.

The i1 and i2 will be underpinned by a separate version of the Neue Klasse – NBx architecture for front-wheel drive vehicles. Instead, the next i3 and iX3 will be NAx for rear-wheel drive models, which will give rise to two derivatives – the NDx platform for luxury cars and the lighter ZDx platform for BMW M sports cars Future.

In addition to the i1 and i2, the NBx will also underpin the next-gen iX1 (and perhaps its sportier iX2 sibling) and MINI hometown. These will allow these vehicles to take advantage of the benefits of the Neue Klasse architecture, specifically fast DC charging speeds through the 800-volt electrical architecture, Truck function (V2L) and new, more energy-dense batteries that can swap prismatic cells for cylindrical cells.

The company remains committed to the small car segment at a time when rivals such as Mercedes-Benz and Audi are looking to exit the segment. Product head Bernd Körber recently told the publication that BMW wants to grow in all markets and “connect with the younger generation,” which the 1 and 2 Series models will appeal to.

“Of course they have lower margins but they also serve another purpose which is to attract younger customers and grow [BMW] in certain markets,” Körber said. “So yes, they are still part of our strategy and it is good that we have two brands in this segment, of course MINI plays a big role.”

Körber agrees carhint of the departure of the Mercedes A-Class – already recently received a temporary stay of execution but production is still expected to end in 2026 – and Audi A1 And Q2 will create opportunities for the BMW 1 Series in particular to gain market share.

The first Neue Klasse models, the i3 and iX3, are said to be in the “final stages of development” and are being readied for production. “We have built the first pre-series cars and have driven them,” said Körber, adding that the new architecture will also bring next-generation software and connectivity to the table. declared on all future BMW models.

Munich will revamp its portfolio shortly to keep its product line looking consistent, with a new design language seen for the first time in Neue Klasse Vision And Neue Klasse X vision Applicable on all models. “We will change the entire portfolio in a relatively short period of time so that it has the same look and feel and similar capabilities,” said Körber. “Our ambition is to unify that in a way that ideally means just push a button and your entire portfolio will be updated.”

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