The new BMW i3 arrives as the 3 Series finally goes electric

BMW has finally unveiled a long-awaited car that marks a massive shift for the German automaker. The new BMW i3 is way more than another addition to the lineup - it is the first time the famous 3 Series has gone fully electric. The new i3 belongs to a new group of vehicles BMW calls the "Neue Klasse," or New Class. It's a big jump in EV technology that promises to change how people think about driving without gasoline.

The debut model leading the charge is the BMW i3 50 xDrive. This version has two electric motors, with one sitting on the front axle and one on the back. Together, they produce a total of 345 kW, which is about 469 hp, and 476 lb-ft of torque.

BMW designed the i3 to look like a classic sports sedan while making it clear that it runs on batteries. It has a long wheelbase and short overhangs, which give it a sporty stance. The "four-eyed" face that BMW fans know well is still there, but the headlights and the front grille now blend into a single light display. The car looks wide and strong because of its flared wheel arches. Even though it looks modern, you can still tell it is a 3 Series from a distance.

The new BMW i3 - source: BMW

Inside, the BMW i3 focuses on giving the driver and passengers plenty of room. Because the car does not need space for a traditional engine or transmission tunnel, the floor is flatter. The main feature inside is the BMW Panoramic iDrive system. This new interface changes how the driver interacts with the car.

The i3 uses a computer system called the "Heart of Joy." This computer processes information ten times faster than older systems, making the car feel very responsive, promising it will behave on the road as any driver would expect from a BMW 3-Series.

One of the biggest worries people have about EVs is how far they can go on a single charge. BMW addressed this by giving the i3 a range of up to 559 miles based on the WLTP test cycle. To make long trips even easier, the car supports DC fast charging at speeds up to 400 kW. If you find a fast enough charger, you can add 249 miles of range in about 10 minutes. This is possible because the car uses a new 800V battery system with round cells that pack more energy into a smaller space.

The technology in this car does more than make it go fast. It also features bidirectional charging - the car can send power back out to other things. With the right equipment, the BMW i3 can power your tools, your home during an outage, or even send energy back into the power grid. This turns the vehicle into a mobile battery for your life, not only a way to get to work.

The new BMW i3 - source: BMW

Manufacturing for the new i3 will take place at the main BMW factory in Munich, Germany. This plant has been building cars for over a century, but it recently went through a huge renovation to get ready for this new era. BMW built a new body shop and a high-tech assembly area specifically for these models. Starting in August 2026, the factory will begin full production. By 2027, the Munich plant plans to build only fully electric vehicles.

Drivers won't have to wait very long to see these on the road. The first deliveries of the BMW i3 are scheduled to start in the autumn of 2026. BMW is betting that the speed, technology, and massive range of this new electric sedan will win plenty of new customers over.

With prices rumored to start around $55,000 for the cheapest single-motor version, there will be plenty of people putting the i3 on their shopping list. With the M version arriving soon, and the wagon joining the lineup, it seems BMW has a winner on its hands.

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