BMW has opened preorders for the i3 50 xDrive First Edition in Europe earlier than planned, riding a wave of demand that clearly arrived before the calendar did. The BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition is an electric sedan with all-wheel drive, 463 hp, a WLTP range of up to 906 kilometers, and a price that will sting: from 57,905 pounds in the UK and from 75,340 euros in Germany.
The early start says as much about the market as it does about the car. Premium buyers still pay for long range and fast charging, but they are also being asked to swallow ever-higher list prices, which is exactly where European EV competition is getting sharper, not softer.
BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition pricing and timing
BMW says the first cars will reach dealers in autumn. The First Edition sits above the standard i3 50 xDrive that will come later, and it adds a more generous equipment list from the outset. For buyers who like their electric sedan to arrive fully dressed, this is the expensive way to skip the options menu.
- Germany: from 75,340 euros
- UK: from 57,905 pounds
That puts the car firmly in premium territory, where range bragging rights matter almost as much as badge value.
463 hp, 645 Nm and 906 kilometers of range
Under the skin, the i3 50 xDrive uses a 108.7 kWh battery and two electric motors. BMW quotes 463 hp and 645 Nm of torque, enough for a 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds. That is quick enough to make family-sedan practicality feel slightly rebellious.
- Battery: 108.7 kWh
- Power: 463 hp
- Torque: 645 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: 4.7 seconds
- WLTP range: up to 906 kilometers
The headline number is the range. With up to 906 kilometers on the WLTP cycle, BMW is pushing deep into the territory usually reserved for the most ambitious long-distance EVs. That matters because range anxiety has become less about daily commuting and more about whether an EV feels like a no-compromise replacement on road trips.
Charging speed and M Sport equipment
The sedan uses an 800-volt architecture, and BMW says a 10-minute stop at a fast charger can add around 423 kilometers of range. Home charging goes up to 22 kW on AC, which is the kind of spec that sounds boring until you remember how many overnight charging sessions it saves.
First Edition models are based on the M Sport package and bring a long list of standard gear: Iconic Glow illuminated grille, heated steering wheel, three-zone climate control, a head-up display with 3D graphics, Harman Kardon audio, improved front seats, and a powered tailgate. Optional extras include a panoramic glass roof, heated rear seats, an electric tow hitch, and Motorway Assistant, which can let the car run hands-free on certain highways at speeds of up to 130 km/h.
BMW is clearly aiming this car at buyers who want EV range without giving up performance or executive-car polish. The real question is whether that combination is enough to justify the price once rivals inevitably answer with their own long-range, high-power sedans. Europe is getting crowded fast, and the spec sheet is only getting meaner.