BMW’s New i3 Sedan Is Coming For Tesla’s Blood

BMW officially confirms the all-electric i3 sedan, the first Neue Klasse 3-Series, arriving in 2026.

From Compact Hatchback to Core Model

While the original i3 was a quirky city EV, the new i3 is no experiment. Instead, it takes center stage as the electric heart of BMW’s lineup. CEO Oliver Zipse confirmed the model’s name and market launch, calling it “the first model variant of the new 3-Series generation.” He emphasized the sedan’s significance, noting that for over 50 years and seven generations, “no other vehicle has been so closely tied to the success of the BMW brand.”

Neue Klasse Design, Closer to Production

The camouflaged prototypes unveiled alongside the iX3 show a sedan that blends the proportions of a classic sports saloon with the futuristic design language of the 2023 Vision Neue Klasse concept. Compared to earlier test cars, the latest i3 mules feature production-ready LED headlights, taillights, and new alloy wheels, signaling that development is well advanced.

Zipse hinted that the model will retain the unmistakable stance of a 3-Series: “The details are still hidden beneath the camouflage, but I’m sure you’ll recognize the classic proportions of a sporty sedan.”

Range, Power, and Tech

BMW hasn’t revealed full specifications yet, but much of the iX3’s technology is expected to carry over:

Range: up to 800 km (WLTP), with the EPA figure expected to exceed 400 miles thanks to the sedan’s sleeker profile.
Charging: up to 400 kW DC, adding around 372 km (231 miles) in just 10 minutes.
Digital Experience: the futuristic Panorama Cockpit, powered by the Heart-of-Joy computer architecture, delivering faster processing, enhanced connectivity, and advanced driver-assist features.

Performance models are also on the horizon. An electric iM3 is already in development, drawing inspiration from the Vision Driving Experience concept with a rumored four-motor setup.

Expanding the Neue Klasse

The i3 sedan will launch alongside a refreshed ICE-powered 3-Series, which will adopt much of its styling and cabin design but remain on an updated version of today’s CLAR platform. Beyond that, BMW confirmed that the Neue Klasse rollout is just beginning, with 40 new or facelifted models arriving by 2027.

As Zipse put it: “Greater range. Faster charging. A more intense digital experience. The next stage of pure driving pleasure. A stronger focus on sustainability. And all of this in an incredibly attractive package. That is the Neue Klasse – and the new i3 is just the beginning.”