The new BMW i3:
The second Neue Klasse model.

The BMW 3 Series is an icon of the BMW brand. For five decades, it has stood for sporty driving pleasure, unmistakably attractive design and consistent progress. As the second Neue Klasse model, the new, fully electric BMW i3 sharpens these familiar characteristics – with a new design language, an advanced display and operating concept, a range of up to 900 kilometres in the WLTP cycle¹ and a unique driving experience based on the Heart of Joy.

With its Neue Klasse design, the BMW i3 goes its own way, yet remains a typical BMW 3 Series: assured, dynamic and intelligent. The new 2.5-box design features characteristic proportions, with a long wheelbase and short overhangs. At the front, the radiator grille and twin headlights merge to form an unmistakable unit. The redesigned BMW brand emblem sits in the “valley” of the sculptured bonnet. The shark-nose front is dynamically inclined towards the road, reinforcing the vehicle’s overall sporty appearance. Prominently flared wheel arches emphasise its wide stance. The rear end, featuring strongly horizontal rear lights, evokes precision and technical progress. Here, too, the BMW emblem is located in the “valley” between the rear lights.

The interior makes full use of the vehicle concept’s consistent orientation towards electromobility, offering a high level of comfort. The lines of the instrument panel flow horizontally on both sides into the dynamically designed door panels. This creates an enveloping wrap-around effect for the passengers, which continues throughout the interior.

At the same time, the interior represents driver-oriented sportiness, defined by the new BMW Panoramic iDrive. With the BMW Panoramic Vision, this features a newly developed display and operating concept. It projects information onto a specially coated area in the lower part of the windscreen that stretches from A-pillar to A-pillar. Other key elements include the 17.9-inch, Free-Cut Design Central Display, the new multifunction steering wheel with Shy Tech controls and the optional BMW 3D Head-Up Display. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant serves as the central voice-based control feature in the BMW i3; enhanced with Amazon Alexa+ AI technology², it facilitates intuitive communication with the vehicle and independently formulates context-specific responses.

Sportiness and driving pleasure are an integral part of the BMW 3 Series DNA. The Heart of Joy in the BMW i3 unlocks previously untapped potential in electromobility, for a completely new driving experience. Together with the BMW Dynamic Performance Control driving stack, it forms the high-performance control unit of the BMW i3, controlling the drive, brakes and some steering functions as well as charging and recuperation. It works at a completely new level – control responses are ten times faster than with previous systems. The result is exceptionally precise, effortless and assured handling. The Soft-Stop function enables the smoothest stopping process in BMW history.

The advanced Level 2 driver assistance systems in the BMW i3 featuring BMW Symbiotic Drive are designed down to the smallest detail for seamless interaction between assistance and driving inputs. The aim is not attaining the highest possible level of automation in every situation, but a safe driver assistance experience that offers maximum benefit and is always controllable. As a result, the driver always remains involved in an interplay of human and artificial intelligence. For example, this allows the driver to make acceleration, steering or braking inputs even when driver assistance is engaged, without instantly causing a deactivation of the assistance system.

The sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology comprises a new drive with a fundamentally new high-voltage battery concept and 800-volt technology. As one of the standout innovations of the Neue Klasse, it showcases BMW’s extensive expertise. It enables a range of up to 900 kilometres¹ (WLTP) and supports charging at up to 400 kW. At a DC fast charger, the battery can be charged with energy for up to 400 kilometres of range (WLTP) in 10 minutes³. And if desired, bidirectional charging turns the BMW i3 into a power bank on wheels or a flexible energy storage device at home.

The new BMW i3 will be built from August 2026 at the BMW Group home plant in Munich. This plant has been producing premium vehicles for more than a hundred years. Deliveries will begin in autumn 2026.

General: Due to regular software updates, screen designs in the communication may differ from the actual screen design in your car.

¹ All data provisional. Please note: Since no binding WLTP values are currently available for the BMW i3 50 xDrive, these are provisional values. In addition, the actual values depend on various factors, such as load, driving style, route, weather, auxiliary consumers (including air conditioning), tyres, and the age of the battery.

² Will be rolled out gradually for all BMW models with BMW Operating System 9 and X from the second half of 2026 at the latest. Availability will be gradually expanded, starting with the markets Germany and the USA.

³ Please note: As no binding WLTP values are currently available for the BMW i3 50 xDrive, these are provisional values. The recharged range after 10 minutes of high-power charging was determined in accordance with ISO12906 in the WLTP cycle and assumes that the charging infrastructure enables the maximum DC charging power. The recharged range and charging performance depend on the vehicle equipment, charge/ageing status of the battery, ambient/battery temperature, driving profile, auxiliary consumers, vehicle-specific charging settings and the charging power provided at the charging station.