BMW will unveil the second member of its Neue Klasse electric car range later this month with the launch of the new i3 sedan – the next generation electric version 3 series.
The new i3, which inherits the badge last used on the pioneering electric hatchback of the 2010s, will debut on March 18 as the second model in BMW’s Neue Klasse electric car range, following its closely related model BMW iX3 SUV, deliveries have just started in the UK.
Munich’s response to the best-selling model has been previewed through a series of concepts and, most recently, in highly camouflaged prototype form. Tesla Model 3 It will be radically different from today’s G20-generation 3 Series, with a sharp, high-angle design treatment that pays homage to historic BMW models while embracing a more minimalist, futuristic spirit.
A new preview image confirms that the sedan’s front end will feature a wraparound illuminated “kidney” pattern that mimics BMW’s grille emblem, as well as a distinctive new diagonal light signature that will become the Neue Klasse range’s calling card.
This full-width graphic is expected to be shared with other sedans in BMW’s next-generation lineup, while the SUV will adopt the smaller, vertically oriented kidney design found on the iX3.
BMW is preparing to refresh its entire product range with the launch of 40 new electric cars and significantly updated gasoline-powered cars, all with Neue Klasse guise, due to go on sale by the end of 2027.
Although X3 SUV The 3 Series sedan – now BMW’s best-selling model but still a cornerstone of the brand – will be available in an electric version for the first time. BMW has sold similar sizes i4 The company has been launching a four-door coupe since 2021, but chose to wait until electric vehicle technology can better match internal combustion engine models before launching a battery-powered 3 Series.
Although the i3 is new, it will face some familiar competitors. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric Car will be launched soon, and Audi A4 electric car Expected to be 2028. But the i3 will also be key against new competitors, e.g. Tesla and premium Chinese brands, including Xpeng Motors And BYD’s Evacuate the seat.
The i3 will be available in a variety of power outputs – including thermal Electric M3 – The launch model will be the 50 xDrive, the same as the iX3. It’s likely to offer the same 464bhp and 479lb ft dual-motor setup as the iX3, with power coming from a 108kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery.
The system gives the SUV a range of 500 miles, so the sedan’s more aerodynamic shape will likely make it the longest-range electric car on sale in the UK and should give it an advantage over the C-Class EV, which Autocar understands will have a maximum range of 497 miles. The Gen6 platform used by the i3 uses an 800V architecture and has a charging speed of up to 400kW.
The i3 will also launch a significantly updated version of the petrol-engined 3 Series, which will retain the unrelated CLAR architecture but be revamped with Neue Klasse design language and the latest in-car technology.
The Vision Neue Klasse sedan concept previews what the upcoming EV and ICE 3 range will look like, offering a distinct interpretation of BMW’s kidney grille, which also fits the iX3 and future SUVs. The recently shown camouflaged i3 prototype confirms that the electric car will retain the typical 3 Series body shape, with smoother lines and BMW’s signature Hofmeister kink on the C-pillar.
Inside, the i3 will feature BMW’s new panoramic iDrive system, as seen on the iX3, which combines an angled touchscreen with a projected head-up display that runs the length of the front windshield. The company claims the system allows critical data to be displayed closer to the driver’s line of sight.
Given the importance of driving dynamics to BMW, the company’s engineers have focused their efforts on ensuring that the i3’s ride and handling are comparable to those of its petrol 3 Series counterparts. Key among them is a new centralized computing architecture built around a significantly reduced number of processing chips. The setup includes the Heart of Joy system, which brings together all driving experience controls for faster, more intuitive responses.
The system also essentially fuses braking and energy recovery systems, automatically adjusting between them to provide maximum stopping power. BMW claims that 98% of deceleration can be accomplished through an energy regeneration system.
Although BMW has yet to give official details about the full i3 range, BMW Group Design Director Adrian van Hooydonk has confirmed that a Touring version will follow, along with a range of powertrain options.
After this, the first electric M3 will be launched in 2028, with prototype versions already beginning testing. While it will use the same Heart of Joy control system, M boss Frank van Meel previously confirmed to Autocar that it will use bespoke electric powertrain and battery components. These will be based on standard BMW components but heavily developed by the M Performance division.
The electric M3 is expected to feature a four-motor setup, making it the most powerful M model yet, and use advanced torque vectoring supported by a new software control architecture.
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