The BMW i1 is officially moving beyond the rumor stage, with the compact electric car confirmed for 2028 and a focus on the European market. BMW announced the timing during its Capital Market Day, revealing limited details about what is expected to become the cheapest Neue Klasse model.
BMW i1 Will Be a Five-Door Electric Hatchback
Insiders say the new model is internally known as the “NB0” and will take the form of a five-door hatchback. BMW is likely to market it as the i1 alongside the combustion-engine 1 Series, although the two models will not be related.
The i1 is expected to use a dedicated platform as part of BMW’s Neue Klasse electric lineup. The cheaper versions are expected to use rear-wheel drive, while xDrive versions with a front-mounted motor have not been ruled out.
The BMW i1 should fit between the electric MINI Cooper and the iX1/iX2. The MINI brand is also expected to receive the Neue Klasse treatment with rear-wheel-drive cars.
BMW 1 Series and i1 Will Coexist
The arrival of the BMW i1 will not immediately end production of the 1 Series. The F70 hatch is allegedly expected to remain in production until the early 2030s, with BMW believed to discontinue it in the second half of 2032.
If that timeline is accurate, the 1 Series could receive a mid-cycle update or another revision during its remaining production period. BMW is unlikely to leave the combustion-engine compact car unchanged for that long.
BMW i2 Could Follow the i1
The BMW i1 may eventually be joined by a second compact electric model. BMW has not confirmed an i2, but a compact electric Gran Coupe is believed to be in development under the internal designation “NB8” and could arrive around the end of the decade.
The model would effectively serve as a sedan version of the i1, creating a Neue Klasse electric pairing similar to the relationship between the 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe.
i2 Could Coexist With the 2 Series Gran Coupe
As the i1 is expected to coexist with the 1 Series for several years, the i2 would also sit alongside the 2 Series Gran Coupe for a period of time. The eventual future of the combustion-engine models remains uncertain.
BMW has clearly indicated that the i1 will have a European focus, making a North American launch less certain. The i2, meanwhile, is considered more likely to reach the U.S. market.
For now, BMW’s confirmed 2028 timing establishes the i1 as a new entry point for its Neue Klasse electric lineup, with the compact hatchback primarily aimed at Europe.
