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BMW plans to launch the all-electric i4 Convertible in 2028. This was reported by BMWBLOG, citing sources close to the automaker. If this information is confirmed, the model will become one of the few electric convertibles in the world.
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The car has the internal code name NA3 and will be built on the Neue Klasse platform, which also underpins the new i3 electric sedan. The design will remain the same as that of the current internal combustion engine model: a soft fabric roof, four seats, and two doors. A retractable hardtop is not planned. According to sources, BMW is also developing an i4 coupe with the internal code name NA2 based on the same architecture and with a similar timeline.
At the same time, the internal combustion engine version will not be phased out to make way for the new model. Production of the G23 model is scheduled to continue until mid-2029, so the electric and gasoline-powered 4 Series Convertibles will be sold side by side for about a year.
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The electric convertible segment is currently almost empty. In the U.S., the only new electric convertible on the market remains the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, priced at $206,095, with a range of about 398 km according to the EPA cycle. Maserati also recommends that dealers offer discounts of up to $85,000 on the Folgore electric models. This hardly suggests strong sales.
In Europe, the selection is slightly broader. Fiat sells the 500e convertible, which never made it to the U.S. market. MG sells the Cyberster roadster in the UK, Europe, and China, but not in the U.S. In addition, the Mini brand, owned by BMW, released a limited edition run of 999 electric Cooper SE Convertibles in 2023, intended exclusively for the European market.
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All other similar projects have been postponed or canceled. Polestar has pushed back the release of the Polestar 6 roadster to a date after the Polestar 7, without specifying an exact date. Tesla has been promising to release a new Roadster since 2017, but recently postponed its unveiling again – this time to August. Audi has abandoned its plans to develop an electric sports car altogether.
Developing electric convertibles remains a challenging task. The absence of a roof reduces body rigidity, so this must be compensated for with additional structural weight. However, the extra weight negatively affects the car’s range, especially since it already has a heavy battery located in the floor. This is precisely why the Mini Cooper SE Convertible has a range of only 200 km.
That is why the model’s launch timeline is so important. The i3 electric sedan offers over 700 km of range on the EPA cycle; it is built on an 800-volt architecture, supports charging at up to 400 kW, and is equipped with a standard NACS connector. Even if the convertible loses about 15% of its range due to the extra weight and poorer aerodynamics, it will still be able to travel over 560 km.
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