EuroWire, MUNICH: BMW has unveiled the new fully electric i3 as the second model in its Neue Klasse lineup, positioning it as the first all-electric BMW 3 Series and confirming production will start in Munich in August 2026 with first deliveries from autumn. The launch version, the BMW i3 50 xDrive, uses dual electric motors and has provisional output of 345 kilowatts, or 469 horsepower, and 645 Nm of torque. BMW said the sedan will offer up to 900 kilometers of range under the WLTP test cycle, with figures still subject to final certification.
The new i3 carries a 2.5-box sedan profile that BMW says preserves familiar 3 Series proportions while adapting them for an electric platform. The car measures 4,760 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width and 1,480 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,897 mm. Exterior changes include a reworked front signature that merges the grille and lighting elements, a more horizontal rear light layout, flush-mounted door handles and an available 21-inch aerodynamic wheel design aimed at improving efficiency and extending range.
Inside, BMW has centered the cabin around its new Panoramic iDrive layout, replacing the traditional instrument binnacle with projected information across the lower section of the windscreen and a 17.9-inch central display angled toward the driver. An optional 3D head-up display adds navigation and assistance graphics in the driver’s line of sight. BMW said the vehicle runs on Operating System X, supports the Digital Key Plus on major smartphone platforms and will gradually add Alexa+ large language model voice features from the second half of 2026, beginning in Germany and the United States.
Digital architecture and driving systems
BMW said the i3 is built around four high-performance computers, each assigned to key vehicle functions including driving dynamics, automated driving and parking, infotainment, and comfort systems. The company’s new Heart of Joy control unit manages drive, braking, recuperation and some steering functions, which BMW said respond ten times faster than previous systems. The i3 also introduces a Soft-Stop function for smoother low-speed braking, while standard stroke-dependent dampers, a new five-link rear axle and an optional adaptive M suspension are designed to balance comfort with sharper handling.
For assisted driving, BMW said the i3 uses Level 2 systems under what it calls BMW Symbiotic Drive, allowing the driver to remain engaged while the vehicle supports steering, braking and speed control. Driving Assistant Plus can manage speed, distance and lane positioning and adjust speed before curves, roundabouts and turns. BMW also said the vehicle’s active safety functions, including lane support, are designed to interpret driver intent from steering behavior and direction of view so intervention occurs when drift appears unintentional or when a collision risk is detected.
Battery, charging and production shift
The i3 uses sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology, combining an 800-volt architecture with new lithium-ion round cells, cell-to-pack integration and a pack-to-open-body design that makes the battery housing part of the structure. The i3 50 xDrive pairs an electrically excited synchronous motor at the rear with an asynchronous motor at the front. BMW said the car supports DC charging of up to 400 kW, enough to add up to 400 kilometers of range in 10 minutes under stated test conditions, while optional AC charging reaches up to 22 kW and bidirectional charging supports vehicle-to-load, vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid functions.
BMW said the charging system is paired with route planning that factors in charging stops, battery preparation and live station information, while an intelligent charging flap can open automatically when the vehicle detects charging intent. The company is also offering a Wallbox Professional and a multifunction charger for home and mobile use. On sustainability, BMW said the i3 is being developed with lower supply-chain emissions, wider use of recycled materials and a projected carbon advantage over a comparable combustion model after one to two years of use, depending on mileage and electricity mix. BMW said its Munich home plant will begin i3 production in August 2026 before shifting a year later to an exclusively fully electric Neue Klasse portfolio.