Upcoming BMW i3 Teased Alongside Brand New iX3 Crossover
In addition to unveiling its all-new, all-electric iX3 during a world premiere in Munich, BMW today offered another preview of the closely related i3 compact sedan.
A complete departure from the small hatchback bearing the same name that was discontinued in 2021, this new i3 is based, just like the iX3, on the Neue Klasse architecture. It will be joined by the next generation of the gasoline-powered BMW 3 Series, which is set to ride on an evolution of the current platform.
- Also: BMW iX3 50 xDrive: We Drove the First Neue Klasse Prototype!
- Also: 2026 BMW i4 to Gain a Bit of Range, More Powerful M60 Model
The BMW iX3 and i3 introduce a new design language that will gradually be applied across the entire BMW range. Globally, the manufacturer plans to launch 40 completely new or redesigned models by the end of 2027.
The i3 remains under wraps for now, as its official debut is scheduled to take place sometime in 2026. The wheels are different from the ones seen previously, while the headlights and taillights appear to be those of a production vehicle.
“For the past 50 years and over seven model generations, no other vehicle has been as closely tied to the success of the BMW brand,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “The 3 Series embodies everything at the very core of BMW. Innovation. Digital user experience. Comfort. Sportiness. Together, these characteristics create an incomparable driving experience.”
What can we expect from the i3? BMW's latest generation of electric motors reduces energy losses by 40% compared to the fifth-generation eDrive technology, in addition to reducing weight by 10%. In addition, the 800V architecture could enable exceptional fast charging capacity of up to 400 kW.
Should the i3 use the same 108kWh battery as the iX3, which is projected to offer a range of over 640 km based on the EPA test cycle, it's not impossible that the sedan could reach nearly 700 km given its lighter weight and more aerodynamic profile—enough to put the Tesla Model 3 and electric Mercedes-Benz CLA to shame.
Performance looks promising, and we know that a more muscular version—essentially the electric equivalent of an M3—is also in the works, using four motors and technology derived from the Vision Driving Experience concept. BMW has hinted that the system could theoretically generate more than 1,000 horsepower. Imagine that.
