BMW's 2027 plan. Electric M3, cheap i1 and first iX7 coming

The iX1, which is the brand's most affordable electric model to date, is preparing to give way to the new compact model, which is expected to be introduced in the second half of 2027.

According to the Motor1.com portal, although the company confirms that it will release a cheaper electric vehicle in 2028, internal sources state that this model will be called i1 and its world premiere will be held next year.

Claimed that it will not share the same platform with the internal combustion 1 Series, the i1 is built on a special architecture developed directly for electric vehicles.

Allegedly, the model will be rear-wheel drive, thus returning to the traditional driving dynamics of the 1 Series.

It is not yet clear whether the model will enter the US market, where the iX1 is not sold.

Although it is not officially confirmed, it is claimed that the i1 family will consist of 20, 30, 30 xDrive, 40 and M50 xDrive options with the M Performance logo at the top.

It is estimated that an additional engine will be placed on the front axle in the four-wheel drive versions, and all models will be equipped with smaller batteries compared to the i3 and iX3 models.

The brand's smallest SUV family will split into two different engineering paths in 2027.

While the X1 with internal combustion engines will receive a mid-life make-up, the fully electric iX1 will skip the make-up phase and move directly to its new generation.

The new iX1, which will be moved to a special electric vehicle platform, will also have a rear-wheel drive infrastructure, just like the i1.

Although their infrastructures are completely different, the X1 and iX1 models are expected to be very similar to each other in exterior and interior design, just like the new 3 Series and i3 duo.

Both compact SUVs, which will have a shrunken iX3 appearance, will offer a minimalist cabin with reduced physical buttons and a large touch screen in the center.

Thanks to the new platform, a significant increase in the range and charging speeds of the iX1, which will use BMW's cylindrical battery cells, is expected.

BMW, which started offering M Lite electric models with the i4 M50 in 2021, will introduce a real M car without an internal combustion engine for the first time in early 2027.

The electric M3, which will have a completely different structure from the new i3 M60 model, will represent a first for the brand with its four electric motors, special battery, artificial engine sound and simulated gear shifts.

The vehicle, whose design has already been seen with the M Concept Neue Klasse concept and camouflaged prototypes, will use natural fiber composite materials instead of carbon fiber and will feature M3-specific cube-shaped front and rear headlights.

Contrary to claims, the model, which will directly bear the name M3 instead of a name such as iM3 or M3i, is expected to produce approximately 800 horsepower and go on sale in the later months of 2027.

The arrival of the electric version will not end the gasoline tradition; BMW is also preparing the new generation M3 model with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine for 2028.