BMW has taken the covers off its first fully electric 3 Series, the i3, in Munich. Due in Australia in early 2027 and offering a 900km driving range (WLTP), it is the second model of the Neue Klasse era.
The launch variant, the i3 50 xDrive, features electric motors on the front and rear axles, and delivers 345kW and 645Nm. Paired with BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, it features the new panoramic iDrive and Heart of Joy.
BMW’s driver assist platform, Symbiotic Drive, also enters a new era in this model. Drawn as a modern interpretation of the hallmark design that is the 3 Series, the i3 maintains the brand’s sporty silhouette proportions.
A long wheelbase, a greenhouse that slopes towards the rear and short overhangs feature. The four-eyed face is familiar, yet still new, while the BMW radiator grille and twin headlights merge into an innovative light signature.
New horizontal tail lights pair with flared wheel arches to emphasise the sporty, wide stance of the new BMW i3. The interior offers a high level of spaciousness and integrated tech. On the road, precise, effortless and assured handling is delivered via the Heart of Joy.
In case you’re wondering, that’s the name for the BMW’s new super-brain (four computers working together) software and electronics architecture. The car itself supports 400kW DC fast charging and sports 800-volt technology.
That translates to the ability to add 400km of range in about 10 minutes. New high-voltage batteries with round cells and a cell-to-pack design enable the improved charging, which brings with it Vehicle-to-Load, Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid functionality.
The BMW i3 will be manufactured at the BMW Group plant in Munich, with production to start in August 2026. Further details will be announced closer to its Australian arrival. In the meantime, you can find out more from you local BMW dealership.
