BMW Confirms Entry-Level Neue Klasse EV Arriving in 2028

BMW has officially announced that it will add a compact, budget-friendly electric model to its lineup, making it the cheapest vehicle to ride on the company’s next-generation Neue Klasse architecture. The confirmation came during the automaker’s Capital Markets Day, where executives said the brand intends to reinforce its position in the high-volume entry segment with another fully electric Neue Klasse model.

Scheduled to hit the market in 2028, the newcomer will lean heavily on technology already developed for other Neue Klasse vehicles, including the upcoming iX3 SUV and i3 sedan. BMW is placing a clear emphasis on Europe for this model, signaling that the North American market may not receive it. Internal sources suggest the vehicle, reportedly codenamed “NBO,” will take the form of a five-door hatchback and could carry the i1 nameplate, potentially selling alongside the existing combustion-powered 1 Series with shared styling cues but a dedicated electric platform underneath.

Positioned in BMW’s European range between the MINI Cooper Electric and the iX1 or iX2 crossovers, the entry-level EV is expected to offer rear-wheel drive in its more affordable trims, while pricier xDrive variants would add all-wheel drive. Rumors also point to a possible i2 sedan derivative arriving around 2030, though BMW has not publicly confirmed such a model. That larger variant is seen as more likely to reach American buyers as a lower-cost electric sedan.

The announcement places BMW alongside Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and other premium marques that are either planning or already selling more attainable EVs. Meanwhile, BMW has opened orders this week for the 2027 i3 sedan, priced from $61,500 — matching the starting figure of the new iX3 SUV.