A few days ago, overseas media reported that BMW plans to launch two entry-level pure electric vehicles, named "BMW i1" and "BMW i2", of which BMW i1 is a sedan model, and BMW i2 is an SUV model. It is reported that the market positioning of the new car will be lower than that of the brand's iX1 model, and its market price may be even lower. The two new models will be launched in 2027 and 2028 respectively, and are also expected to be introduced to the domestic market at a later stage.
BMW's new i1 and i2 models are reportedly expected to be based on a new version of the 800V Neue Klasse architecture, named "NBx", designed for compact models and will debut on the upcoming new i3 and iX3 models, and are expected to be adopted in future generations of the BMW iX1 and Mini Countryman Electric.
Bernd Korber, head of product at BMW, said, "Entry-level models like the i1 and i2 may be less profitable, but they are essential for the brand to connect with the younger generation in the market. Korber also said that the compact BMW is still part of the company's strategy, and that rival Mercedes-Benz A-Class is about to be discontinued in 2026, which provides an opportunity for BMW's entry-level model to increase market share. BMW has confirmed plans to launch the first model based on the Neue Klasse architecture in 2025, and will launch six new models based on this architecture over the next two years.