BMW has decided to end production of the i4 in 2027, after a lifecycle of about five years. This move is not due to poor commercial performance, but to a strategy to avoid overlaps in its lineup. The departure of the i4 will free up space at the Munich plant to manufacture the new i3, based on the Neue Klasse architecture. Both generations will coexist for a limited time before the definitive handover.
From CLAR to Neue Klasse: an architectural leap 🏗️
The i4 was developed on the CLAR platform, a modular architecture designed to accommodate thermal, hybrid, and electric powertrains. This initial flexibility came at a cost in terms of weight and packaging efficiency, as it was not native to electric vehicles. Its successor, the i3, will use the Neue Klasse platform, conceived from scratch for electrification. This change promises improvements in battery density, aerodynamics, and interior space.
Perfect planning: five years and recycle cathodes ⏳
It seems that in Munich they have a Swiss precision timer for the lifespan of their models. The i4 arrives, fulfills its mission as a technological bridge, and just when we get used to seeing it, it receives its early retirement notice. All to make room for the new and more modern neighbor. It's the law of the accelerated lifecycle: today you're the electric star of the lineup, and tomorrow you're history to make way for the next iteration. At least the coexistence will be brief, to avoid confusion at the dealership.