The BMW i3 arrives as a fully electric 3 Series with a 900 km range

BMW has unveiled the i3, the second model in its Neue Klasse electric range and the first fully electric version of the iconic 3 Series. This new saloon car represents a technological leap for the brand's core model range.

The launch version is the i3 50 xDrive, which features dual motors producing 469 hp and 645 Nm of torque. BMW claims an WLTP range of up to 900 kilometres, enabled by sixth-generation eDrive technology, including 800-volt architecture and a new cylindrical battery cell design. Under optimal conditions, DC fast charging at up to 400 kW can add 400 km of range in 10 minutes.

Visually, the i3 adopts the Neue Klasse design language, featuring a 'sharknose' front end where the traditional kidney grilles have been replaced by illuminated elements that flank the grille. The proportions reflect the electric platform, with a long wheelbase, short overhangs and a genuine three-box silhouette that retains the Hofmeister kink in the rear window.

Inside, the new panoramic iDrive system projects information beneath the windscreen alongside a touchscreen in the shape of a parallelogram. The interior offers increased spaciousness, particularly in the rear, thanks to the dedicated EV architecture.

Production will begin at BMW's Munich plant in August 2026, with the first deliveries scheduled for autumn. The facility has undergone extensive modernisation to accommodate Neue Klasse production and will exclusively manufacture electric vehicles by late 2027. The current petrol-powered 3 Series will continue to be produced alongside the i3, before being replaced by the next generation of models.