BMW has opened pre-orders for the new i3 sedan ahead of production, starting with a well-equipped First Edition model.
Production of the all-new BMW i3 sedan, which made its debut this spring, is scheduled to begin in Munich in August. Customer deliveries won't start until the fall, but strong interest in the electric sedan has prompted BMW to open order books earlier than planned. As a result, pricing for the launch-spec First Edition model has now been announced.
As is customary, the First Edition comes with additional standard equipment. Buyers will be able to choose from six exterior colors, including the exclusive M Le Castellet Blue finish, along with four wheel designs in either 19- or 20-inch sizes. Every launch vehicle will come equipped with the M Sport package and BMW’s illuminated kidney grille.
Inside, the standard configuration features black Veganza upholstery combined with M PerformTex trim, although additional interior color combinations, including white, will also be offered. Heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel come standard, as do three-zone climate control, a power trunk lid, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.
Interestingly, BMW has also left room for further customization. Available options include heated rear seats, a fixed panoramic glass roof, and an electrically retractable trailer hitch.
The first version to hit the market will be the BMW i3 50 xDrive. It features a 108.7-kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 469 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque. BMW says the sedan can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds and delivers a WLTP-rated driving range of up to 563 miles.
Charging capabilities are equally impressive. AC charging power reaches 22 kW, while DC fast charging peaks at 400 kW.
In Germany, the i3 50 xDrive First Edition carries a starting price of €75,340, or approximately $85,500 at current exchange rates. A more affordable i3 50 xDrive model, priced from €65,900 (about $74,800), is expected to arrive this fall. BMW could eventually add a single-motor rear-wheel-drive variant to the lineup as well.