[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] BMW will launch an entry-level electric vehicle aimed at the European market in 2028. It plans to use Neue Klasse technology applied to the new iX3 and i3 sedan to lower the entry price of its EV lineup and target the European mass market.

Electrek, an electric vehicle outlet, reported on Wednesday that BMW said in a recent capital markets presentation it plans to launch a new battery-electric vehicle based on Neue Klasse in 2028.

BMW did not disclose the name, detailed specifications or price. It suggested the new model could become the cheapest in the Neue Klasse EV range. The company said it will add more Neue Klasse-based EVs to expand its presence in a high-volume entry segment.

The new model will use Europe as its main sales region. Its price is expected to sit between the Mini Cooper Electric and the BMW iX1 or iX2. The move is seen as a strategy to secure broader EV demand in Europe by offering a Neue Klasse-based model at a lower price than existing premium EVs.

There has been no official announcement on the drivetrain. Outside the company, some have raised the possibility of rear-wheel drive for entry trims and xDrive all-wheel drive for higher trims. The view is that a more finely segmented price range could target different consumer groups.

The industry is also offering forecasts on the body style and name. It could be developed as a five-door hatchback in a position similar to the existing BMW 1 Series, and the name "i1" has been mentioned. An internal development code name, "NB0", has been reported.

BMW has not officially confirmed the i1 name, the NB0 code name or the five-door hatchback body style. What BMW has officially disclosed is limited to a plan to launch a new entry-level EV based on Neue Klasse in Europe in 2028 and to use the technology of existing Neue Klasse models.

The rollout can be seen as a move by BMW to expand Neue Klasse technology beyond high-priced models into more mass-market classes. Rival premium brands such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz are also expanding relatively lower-priced EVs in Europe, increasing the need for BMW to strengthen EV choices in the entry segment.

Sales are expected to focus on Europe. BMW said the entry-level model is aimed at the European market. That raises the likelihood it will not sell the model in the United States.

The possibility remains that BMW could develop separate EVs for other markets including the United States. The industry has also mentioned the possibility of a sedan-type EV based on this entry hatchback in the future, but this is also not an officially announced plan.

BMW has started taking orders for the 2027 i3 sedan. The new i3 starts at $61,500, about 84 million won, matching the level of the new iX3 SUV. With BMW currently placing Neue Klasse-based EVs in a relatively high price range, the entry model due in 2028 is expected to take a lower price bracket.

BMW has not yet disclosed the name, price or specifications for the new entry EV it will introduce in 2028. Still, it is becoming clear that BMW's EV strategy is widening toward the European mass market as it expands the application of Neue Klasse to the entry segment.