The New BMW i3: The Electric BMW 3 Series is Here

The BMW 3 Series has defined sporty motoring for five decades. Now, for the first time in its history, it goes fully electric — and the result is extraordinary.

The new BMW i3 is the second model to emerge from BMW's transformative Neue Klasse programme, following the BMW iX3. It brings sixth-generation eDrive technology, an all-new 800-volt electrical architecture, and a revolutionary round-cell high-voltage battery to the world's most celebrated sports saloon — delivering a driving experience, range, and charging capability that redefines what is possible in an electric car.

Launching as the BMW i3 50 xDrive, the car features dual electric motors producing a combined 345 kW (469hp) and 645 Nm of torque, a provisional WLTP range of up to 559 miles, and DC fast charging at up to 400 kW. Production begins at BMW's Munich plant in August 2026, with the first customer deliveries expected from Autumn 2026.

Design: Modern, Timeless and Unmistakably BMW

The new BMW i3 is immediately recognisable as a 3 Series. Its modern 2.5-box silhouette — featuring a long 2,897mm wheelbase, short overhangs, and a greenhouse that tapers gracefully towards the rear — carries the DNA of the BMW 3 Series into a new era without compromise.

At the front, the iconic BMW radiator grille and twin headlights merge into a unified, near-full-width light signature. The optional BMW Iconic Glow exterior package adds customisable Welcome Light Animations — Balanced, Relaxed, and Excited — that bring the car to life as you approach. A redesigned BMW roundel sits in the sculptured valley of the shark-nose bonnet.

The rear is defined by a bold horizontal three-dimensional light signature that extends deep into the prominently flared wheel arches, reinforcing the car's wide, athletic stance. A diffuser element at the lower rear adds a further dynamic flourish. For efficiency, the underbody is entirely closed and smooth.

Dimensions:

• Length: 4,760mm
• Width: 1,865mm
• Height: 1,480mm
• Wheelbase: 2,897mm
• Front track width: 1,606mm
• Rear track width: 1,614mm

Eleven exterior colours are available at launch, including the exclusive new M Le Castellet Blue metallic finish.

Drive and Performance: A Quantum Leap in Electric Driving Pleasure

The BMW i3 50 xDrive is powered by two fundamentally different and complementary electric motors. At the rear — the primary drive axle — sits an Electrically Excited Synchronous Motor (EESM), whose magnetic field can be flexibly regulated to minimise energy losses at low load and produce maximum torque at high load. At the front, a compact and lightweight Asynchronous Motor (ASM) rounds out the all-wheel drive system.

Together, these two motors reduce energy losses by 40%, cut drive system weight by 10%, and lower manufacturing costs by 20% compared to the previous generation — while delivering a combined output of 345 kW (469hp) and 645 Nm.

At the heart of the driving experience is the Heart of Joy — one of four superbrain high-performance computers at the core of the BMW i3's new electronics architecture. It controls drive, braking, steering, charging, and recuperation, responding ten times faster than previous BMW systems. The result is cornering that feels precise and effortless, with fewer control interventions and a more consistent, predictable feel through bends.

The Soft-Stop system — described by BMW as the smoothest stopping process in its history — uses the electric motors' precise control to bring the car to a halt without jerk or noise. In everyday driving, recuperative braking handles virtually all deceleration; the conventional brakes are reserved for spirited or emergency use.

The suspension features stroke-dependent shock absorbers, a two-joint spring strut front axle, and a new five-link rear axle. An optional adaptive M suspension is available, boosting dynamic capability while maintaining long-distance ride comfort.

Battery and Charging: 249 Miles in 10 Minutes

The new BMW i3's sixth-generation eDrive technology delivers a step-change in charging performance. The 800-volt architecture supports DC fast charging at up to 400 kW, adding up to 249 miles of WLTP range in just ten minutes. A built-in switching matrix also ensures compatibility with conventional 400-volt DC infrastructure. AC charging at up to 22 kW is available with the optional AC Charging Professional package.

The new round lithium-ion cells — 46mm in diameter and 95mm tall — deliver a 20% increase in volumetric energy density over the prismatic Gen5 cells. They are integrated directly into the battery pack using a cell-to-pack design, eliminating intermediate modules, saving weight, and enabling a flatter overall battery profile. The pack-to-open-body construction means the battery housing also serves as a structural component of the car, contributing to torsional rigidity and further saving weight.

Route planning via BMW Maps includes intelligent charging stop optimisation — AI learns from your real-world charging history to predict available power, flag unreliable stations, and display accurate cost estimates for each stop. Battery pre-conditioning activates automatically when navigating to a DC fast charger, ensuring the battery arrives at its optimal temperature for maximum charging speed.

Bidirectional Charging

The BMW i3 is also capable of bidirectional charging, allowing the energy stored in its battery to flow in multiple directions:

• Vehicle-to-Load (V2L): Power external devices directly from the battery — electric barbecues, e-bike chargers, camping equipment — at up to 3.7 kW.
• Vehicle-to-Home (V2H): Combined with the BMW Wallbox Professional and a solar PV system, the i3 can store excess solar energy and return it to your home — increasing energy self-sufficiency by up to 30 percentage points.
• Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): Feed energy back to the public grid and earn money. BMW has partnered with E.ON to offer a complete V2G package including wallbox, smart meter, and an energy tariff.
• Cost-Optimised Charging (V1G): Automatically charge when electricity tariffs are lowest, reducing home charging costs — available on all BMW electric vehicles.

Sustainability: Built for a Net Zero Future

BMW's sustainability approach for the new BMW i3 encompasses its entire lifecycle — from design and supply chain through production and end-of-life recycling. The BMW i3 50 xDrive achieves a CO₂e advantage over a comparable petrol or diesel vehicle after just one to two years of use.

Supply chain CO₂e emissions were reduced by approximately 33% during product development. The battery cells use secondary materials for cobalt, lithium, and nickel, with renewable energy powering cell production — cutting the per-Wh CO₂e footprint by around 33% versus the Gen5 cell used in the BMW i4.

Approximately 30% of the BMW i3's total material content is recycled or secondary material. Cast aluminium swivel bearings and hub carriers contain 80% recycled aluminium; the alloy wheels use 70%. The headliner and A-pillar trim use 100% recycled yarn. The engine compartment cover and front storage tray incorporate 30% recycled marine plastic — recovered from used fishing nets and ropes.

TÜV-certified greenhouse gas data will be published as part of BMW's Vehicle Footprint initiative at the start of production, and will be accessible via the My BMW App.