car news Electric

BMW i3 (Neue Klasse), this is it!

March 18, 2026

The new BMW i3 now appears initially as i3 50 xDrive. That means: two electric motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear – all-wheel drive in other words! Under the skin, everything revolves around the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology. Think efficient electric motors, an 800V architecture and new battery cells. The result: plenty of power, shorter charging times and a longer driving range. System output is 345 kW (469 hp) and maximum torque comes out to 645 Nm, serious numbers.

Up to 900 kilometers of range

BMW is betting high with a WLTP range of up to 900 kilometers. That’s hefty, even in EV-land. Moreover, charging is fast: up to 400 kW DC. In theory, you can recharge to 400 kilometers of driving range in 10 minutes. In addition, the i3 supports bi-directional charging, so delivering power back to your home (Vehicle-to-Home), the grid (Vehicle-to-Grid) or just a device (Vehicle-to-Load) is all possible.

And what about the iX3?

The BMW i3 is not the starting point of the Neue Klasse, but the second step. That honor went to the iX3, an electric SUV that uses the same technical foundation. The difference is mainly in character. The iX3 is the practical SUV, focused on space and comfort, while the i3 is clearly more the driver’s car within the same family.

Design: recognizable, yet different

The new i3 belongs to the “Neue Klasse,” and it shows. At the front, you see a new interpretation of the familiar “four eyes. The grille and headlights merge into one light signature.

At the rear, the horizontal taillights stand out, making the car look wider. The wheel arches are substantially set on, giving it a muscular look.

The new BMW i3 grows to the size of a spacious midsize car, with a length of 4.76 meters and a wheelbase of 2.9 meters. The result: a sturdy, confident stance.

Interior: screens, software and driver focus

Inside, everything revolves around the new BMW Panoramic iDrive. A large infotainment screen dominates the dashboard and should make operation more intuitive. At the same time, BMW remains true to its roots: the driver is central. The seating position is low and sporty, while space has actually increased thanks to the electric platform.

Heart of Joy (yes, that’s really what it’s called)

BMW is also introducing something new: the “Heart of Joy. This is a powerful computer that controls driving behavior – read driving pleasure, because ‘joy’. According to BMW, the system responds ten times faster than before. Together with three other “superbrains,” it forms the basis of the new software architecture. The goal: a driving experience that feels more direct, more consistent and, above all, more fun. Whether it really turns out that way, of course, we have yet to experience for ourselves.

Production in Munich (and all-electric from 2027)

The BMW i3 will be built in Munich, BMW’s home base. The plant has been significantly modernized in recent years and is being transformed step by step into an all-electric production site. Production will start in August 2026, with first deliveries later that year. Starting in 2027, only electric “Neue Klasse” models will roll off the assembly line in Munich.

Everything again in a row

Conclusion: this is not an evolution, but a reset

The new BMW i3 shows where BMW wants to go. More software, more efficiency and, above all, a completely new platform. Will the i3 become the new benchmark in its segment? In any case, the tone of the Neue Klasse has been set with the iX3. Thus, 50,000 people ordered this car without having taken a test drive. Whether the i3 will be just as good, we will find out as soon as we can drive it.