BMW to Phase Out Best-Selling i4 Electric Coupe to Launch Next-Generation i3 Technology Platform

BMW confirms the best-selling i4 electric coupe will be discontinued by 2027 as the company shifts focus to the advanced, longer-range i3 sedan.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 9:03 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Herald Online

A Strategic Shift in the Electric Lineup

The landscape of German luxury motoring is set for a significant transformation as BMW prepares to retire one of its most pivotal electric models. Following the high-profile unveiling of the all-new i3, the automaker has announced that the current i4 will be phased out of production by 2027. This transition represents a broader effort to modernize the brand's fleet with "Neue Klasse" technology, which prioritizes a leap in digital integration and chassis design. While the i4 has been a staple of the lineup since 2021, the company views the arrival of the i3 as the natural successor that will set the design tone for the future of the 3 Series family.

The Lifecycle of Automotive Innovation

BMW’s leadership has framed the discontinuation of the i4 as a standard element of industrial planning rather than a reaction to market volatility. According to Jochen Goller, the BMW Group product boss, the phasing out of existing models to accommodate new entries has been a consistent part of the industry's history for two decades. The transition is designed to allow the i3 to ramp up production volume as the i4 winds down, ensuring a steady evolution of the brand’s electric portfolio. Officials confirmed that this lifecycle was factored into strategic roadmaps long before the i4 reached its current peak in popularity.

Technological Advancements and Range Gains

The primary driver behind the transition is a substantial leap in battery performance and efficiency. While the outgoing i4 M60 offers an impressive 592 horsepower and a range of approximately 333 miles, it is built on an older technological foundation. In contrast, the upcoming i3 is expected to reach a range of 440 miles, a significant improvement that addresses one of the primary concerns for luxury EV buyers. This increase in utility, combined with a more modern interior architecture, positions the i3 as a more competitive alternative to high-tech rivals in the increasingly crowded global electric sedan market.