BMW i3 electric sedan unveiled with up to 900km range

BMW has pulled the covers off the i3, which serves as the sedan counterpart to the iX3 electric SUV that debuted last year. The i3 nameplate was previously used for an all-electric hatchback that BMW sold from 2013 to 2022. This new i3 previews the next-generation BMW 3 Series as well.

1. New BMW i3 sports revamped Neue Klasse design language
2. Futuristic interior gets 17.9-inch touchscreen, Panoramic Vision display
3. 108.7kWh battery, dual-motor powertrain with 469hp and 645Nm
4. 400km range top-up in 10 minutes using a 400kW DC charger

2026 BMW i3 exterior design

Clean-sheet styling echoes BMWs of the past with modern touches

The new i3 is the second model to adopt BMW’s Neue Klasse styling overhaul. Up front, it features two sleek sections that incorporate the headlights and fang-like DRLs, and are encircled by LED bands. Below, the air dam cut-out neatly combines with the front splitter to form a hexagonal opening, flanked by vertical air intakes that are accented with gloss black trim. The flared front fenders also lend a sporty look to the i3’s fascia when viewed dead-on.

Interestingly, the i3’s side profile interestingly errs much closer to the traditional three-box design – BMW calls it a '2.5-box' design – instead of the curvy and swooping proportions many electric sedans adopt in the interest of minimal aerodynamic drag. The panels look flat and smooth, helped further by the retractable door handles, and the intricately-styled alloys fill out the wheel wells snugly.

Moving over to the rear, the i3’s bootlid section is cliff-faced, with the bumper jutting out below. Like the iX3, the slim LED tail-lamps aren't connected, and there's clean gloss black detailing lower down. Dimensionally, the i3 measures 4,760mm in length, 1,865mm in width, 1,480mm in height, and 2,897mm in wheelbase.

BMW also teased a 'Touring' estate version of the i3 during the presentation, which will likely be revealed later this year.

2026 BMW i3 interior and features

Tech-heavy approach

Inside, the i3 shares several elements with the iX3, including the unique steering wheel with vertical twin spokes, 17.9-inch rhomboidal infotainment touchscreen, and the edge-to-edge Panoramic Vision display on the far end of the dashboard that doubles up as the driver's display and projects other useful information.

There isn't much in the way of physical controls on the i3's dashboard, though the central tunnel houses a cluster of buttons for the hazard lights, defoggers, electronic parking brake, and audio mute function, along with a rotary drive selector. As for features, the i3 offers powered front seats, ambient lighting, Level 2 ADAS, a wireless charging pad, a new AI assistant, an optional 3D heads-up display, and more.

2026 BMW i3 battery and range

Initially launching in 50 xDrive form only

Based on the 800V Neue Klasse platform, the i3 comes equipped with a dual-motor '50 xDrive' powertrain, which will be the sole spec available for the sedan at launch. BMW doesn't specify the i3 50 xDrive's battery capacity, but it's likely the same 108.7kWh battery pack as that of the iX3. System output stands at 469hp and 645Nm, and the WLTP-tested range is a whopping 900km – 95km higher than the iX3. 

Moreover, the i3 supports up to 400kW DC charging, which enables a 400km range top-up in a mere 10 minutes. AC charging support extends up to 22kWh. Also included in the i3 is a new ECU dubbed the 'Heart of Joy', which was unveiled as part of the BMW Vision Driving Experience Concept last year. The Heart of Joy handles the drivetrain, braking, charging, regeneration, steering, and more, and is claimed to operate 10 times quicker than previous BMW ECUs.

Additionally, BMW previously confirmed that 2027 will see the arrival of an all-electric M3. The BMW M3 EV is expected to sport a quad-motor setup – one for each wheel – along with simulated gearshifts and synthetic engine sounds.

2026 BMW i3 launch details

First batch to be delivered in autumn 2026

Production of the new i3 will commence at the BMW Group's Munich plant from August 2026, with deliveries starting from autumn of this year (September-November) in global markets. The iX3 is slated to launch in India by early 2027, so it remains to be seen if BMW will bring the i3 here as well.