It didn’t seem five minutes ago that electric vehicles (EVs) were heralded as the future of the automotive industry. However, it seems that many manufacturers aren’t so sure anymore, with some now beginning to invest more in hybrid powertrains and even considering further development of internal combustion power.
But electric cars do still have a role to play, and some companies are finding success with them, such as German automaker BMW. Yet it is now quickly getting rid of its i4 range, following the recent launch of the i3. That does sound odd when you consider the i4 is actually one of the most successful sellers in the current BMW lineup.
However, there are sound reasons as to why BMW is set to axe the i4 in 2027. The new i3, which is more technically advanced and of a similar size, has basically made the i4 redundant. There is no need to have it as part of the range.
Plus, with the two cars being so similar to consumers, in terms of what they offer for the money, the company has purposely pushed the car out of its own lineup. So after a production run lasting just five years, one of BMW’s best sellers is already on the way out.
Why the BMW i4 Is on the Way Out
News of this emerged in March 2026, with British publication Autocar one of those to hear about the i4’s demise. Built at BMW’s main Munich plant, i3 production is set to begin very soon. But speaking at the launch of the i3, BMW Group product boss Jochen Goller said that this was always part of the plan.
“When you look back on the last 20 years, you always had new models coming in and old models phasing out,” he said. “So I think this is part of the history of our industry,” added Goller. So in BMW’s own words, it isn’t surprised to see the i4 already being phased out. This was going to happen even before the car hit the showroom floor.
With both cars of a similar size, with nearly the same performance, and the i3 offering more advanced technology under the hood, the removal of the i4 from the range starts to make perfect sense. That is even though the i4 has been one of the brand’s best sellers since its launch in 2021. Making BMW’s decision easier, however, is how well its Neue Klasse series has done in a short space of time.
BMW’s Neue Klasse Lineup Has Been Well Received
BMW unveiled the Neue Klasse platform in September 2025 at the IAA Mobility Show, with the iX3 EV proving to be a massive success very quickly. In fact, it was so successful that it sold out virtually everywhere, including in the heartland of Europe. While this is a platform dedicated to EVs, the i4 sits on a platform originally designed for gasoline-powered cars, so it was always an odd one out.
Meanwhile, a glance at the i3 Neue Klasse shows exactly what customers have to look forward to. A 469hp dual-motor all-wheel drive model will offer up to 559 miles of range. Compared to the Tesla Model 3, which manages around 363 miles of EPA estimated range, that smashes it out of the park. It also looks good, very good in fact, thanks to the long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a nicely refined kidney grille. There is a lot to like about the new i3.
When You Can Get Your Hands on the New BMW i3
Production of the EV is set to start in August 2026, and deliveries are due to follow in the Fall of this year. The Munich plant, in which it is being built, will switch exclusively to Neue Klasse EV production around a year later. As the oldest factory that BMW operates, this is a significant move. It is a sign that, despite some pushback against EVs, they are still being well received, and new platforms clearly can resonate still with the public.