BMW has confirmed it will unveil the all-electric version of its next-generation 3 Series in just under two weeks. The full reveal of the all-new BMW i3 sedan is now scheduled for March 18th.
The new mid-size electric sedan will not only revive the nameplate of the German automaker’s quirky city car from the 2010s, but will also offer a first look at a new generation of BMW sedans, becoming the company’s second electric vehicle (EV) based on the Neue Klasse platform, following the new iX3 electric SUV.
The i3 – BMW’s answer to the best-selling Tesla Model 3 – has been teased through a series of concepts and heavily disguised development prototypes in recent months, and has now been revealed unmasked in a dodgy teaser image.
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Visually, the i3 sedan, which will be followed by a new combustion-engined 3 Series later this year, will be a complete departure from the current G20 generation and will feature a sharp, angular exterior design reminiscent of BMW models of the 1970s and 1980s.
The new teaser confirms that the sedan will feature an illuminated “kidney” grille and diagonal LED daytime running lights, which will apparently become a hallmark of the Neue Klasse models.
With the i3, BMW is also offering a fully electric 3 Series for the first time, a model series that remains the cornerstone of the Bavarian premium brand.
BMW has offered a plug-in hybrid 3 Series and the similarly sized i4 Fastback electric sedan since 2021, but has decided to wait to introduce a battery-electric 3 Series until the latest EV architecture and battery technology are ready.
Given the importance of driving dynamics to BMW – and the 3 Series in particular – engineers have placed great emphasis on ensuring the i3 delivers ride and handling comparable to its petrol and diesel counterparts.
BMW says the new i3 will offer “maximum precision” and “respond immediately to steering inputs” thanks to the company’s new Dynamic Performance Control software.
The i3 is based on the same dedicated EV platform as the iX3 introduced in 2025 and is expected to launch in the form of an i3 50 xDrive, mirroring the iX3. The dual motor powertrain is expected to produce around 345kW of power and 645Nm of torque.
The Neue Klasse platform includes BMW’s sixth-generation 800-volt eDrive electrical architecture and enables DC fast charging speeds of up to 400 kW. BMW claims the iX3 can offer a WLTP range of around 800km, so the more aerodynamic i3 sedan is expected to exceed that figure.
Inside, the i3 will be BMW’s second production model to feature its new, virtually buttonless cabin layout, possibly including a 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, in an interior that will eventually be rolled out to almost all of its models, including the next X5 and the facelifted 7 Series, both of which are also due in 2026.
Once launched, the i3 is expected to spawn several variants, including the brand’s first all-electric M3 sports sedan, which will be sold alongside a new M3 with a turbocharged inline-six engine.
The new electric sedan will be one of 40 new or updated BMW models scheduled to hit the market by the end of 2027. Many of these will adopt the Neue Klasse design language, including slimmer grilles inspired by 1970s BMW models.
Following its debut later this month, the new i3 will enter production in mid-2026 and is therefore expected to arrive in global markets, including Australia, by 2027.
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