IT News on October 3rd: On September 30th local time, according to reports from foreign media BMW Blog, BMW's long-rumored entry-level electric vehicle has finally been confirmed. The new car is expected to be named BMW i1 and will be launched in Europe in 2028, becoming BMW's lowest-priced new-generation model.

According to people familiar with the matter, the internal code name for the new car is “NB0”, and it will adopt a five-door hatchback design. BMW is expected to launch the new car under the name “i1” and sell it alongside the fuel-powered BMW 1 Series models. However, the two are not derivative models from the same platform. “i1” will use a dedicated electric vehicle platform and will revert to the rear-wheel-drive layout that was once a hallmark of BMW’s entry-level models.

Based on the information currently available, the i1 is expected to adopt rear-wheel drive, just like the previous two generations of the BMW 1 Series. The entry-level model, i1, will also feature rear-wheel drive, while the higher-end versions may not rule out the possibility of using the xDrive dual-motor four-wheel drive system.

BMW is expected to position i1 between the all-electric MINI Cooper and BMW's iX1 and iX2. In addition, MINI is also expected to adopt BMW's new generation technology in the future and launch rear-wheel-drive models.

After the launch of the i1, the fuel-powered BMW 1 Series will not be withdrawn from the market immediately. It is reported that the current F70 generation of the 1 Series five-door hatchback will be produced until the early 2030s, or may cease production in the second half of 2032. If this timeline is accurate, the F70 is expected to undergo another mid-life facelift or other adjustments during its lifecycle.

It is reported that a compact all-electric four-door coupe is also in development. The internal code for this new car is “NB8”, and it is planned to be launched around 2030, which can be seen as the sedan version of “i1”. By then, the relationship between “i1” and “i2” will be similar to that between BMW’s 1 Series and 2 Series four-door coupes today, both using a new generation of all-electric platforms.

IT Home has learned from reports that BMW has previously made it clear that i1 will be mainly sold in the European market.