Image: BMW
MUNICH, Germany-The 3 Series is going electric as the second Neue Klasse production model.
BMW on Wednesday revealed the all-electric i3, the second salvo in its Neue Klasse product offensive. The 3 Series has been the brand’s core model for five decades, embodying the mix of luxury and driving pleasure that has been a BMW signature; it’s why the 3 remains the benchmark in its segment even as the current generation debuted way back in 2019. The i3 is the first of the new 3 Series models to arrive, and it promises to move the game on.
BMW i3 Styling: Minimalist, Modernist
Image: BMW
Let’s talk looks first. The i3 takes the clean design of the iX3 and applies it to the classic three-box sedan shape. (Okay, BMW calls this 2.5-box, but we digress.) The nose features a different take on the integrated, mask-like design of the iX3, switching out the tall kidney grille for a wider iteration. The four “eyes” remain, as does a unique indent (or “valley”) right in the center, that is cleverly mirrored on the trunk lid. The i3 has a standard welcome animation, though buyers can spec an optional Iconic Glow package that ups the lighting elements and unlocks three welcome themes: Balanced, Relaxed, and Excited.
There are precious few creases along the sides of the i3, with full volumes that emphasize the sedan’s wide, low-slung stance. Flush-fitting glass and door handles contribute to a slippery shape; the latter pop out as the driver approaches, and they have a serious amount of heft to them. Like the iX3, the underbody is fully sealed.
2027 BMW i3: All the Details
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At the rear are pared-back taillights with a new twist on BMW’s classic L-shaped look. Large 21-inch alloys adorn the presentation model. This excellent color? Le Castellet Blue, one of 11 options for the i3.
It can be hard to gauge the scale of the new car: at 187.5 inches (4,763 millimeters) long it’s only about two inches longer than the existing G20-generation 3 Series, and actually slightly stubbier than the also-electric i4. Width is up a smidge to 73.4 inches (1,865 mm), as is height (58.3 in / 1,482 mm).
BMW i3 Platform: 800 Volts, Heart of Joy
Image: BMW
Image: BMW
Naturally there are a lot of under-the-skin similarities between the i3 and the iX3 we drove late last year. The Neue Klasse platform uses an 800-volt architecture for fast charging: up to 400 kW.
For its sixth-generation eDrive powertrain, BMW has switched to cylindrical battery cells after the Gen 5 prismatics. It says this makes for a 20-percent increase in energy density. The Germans haven’t listed a battery capacity for the i3; for reference the iX3 runs a 108.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack.
The core of the electric platform is a quartet of centralized ECUs-BMW calls them Superbrains-each focused on a specific function. The Heart of Joy takes care of driving dynamics; others focus on automated driving, infotainment, and basic controls. BMW says it has over 20 times the computing power of previous models. This approach also cuts down on wiring, saving weight.
i350 models like the one shown here share the iX3’s dual-motor powertrain. They’re quite different: the rear unit is a more powerful, electrically excited synchronous motor, while the front is an asynchronous motor. Combined output is 469 hp and 476 lb-ft, while we suspect range will be even better than the 400 miles (643 kilometers) BMW quotes for the taller, bluffer iX3. While it will undoubtedly be quick, we appreciate the other side: with dialed-in regenerative braking, the i3 will have its SUV sibling’s soft-stop feature.
BMW has improved the charging curve for its Gen 6 models, ensuring quick and consistent charging. The i3 also benefits from smart route optimization. On longer drives the system can automatically add in charging stops, and it can provide a history of average charging rates, occupancy, number of chargers, and cost. The navigation will also highlight nearby restaurants or facilities.
The suspension for the i3 is classic BMW: a strut front, five-link rear setup. All-wheel drive variants also unlock an optional adaptive M suspension.
When properly equipped, the i3 will offer owners vehicle-to-load (V2L capability), allowing them to charge accessories to 3.7 kW. BMW says vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is also possible, making the i3 capable of running a home or sending power back to the grid respectively, though this will naturally depend on region.
BMW i3 Interior: Panoramic Display, Driver-Focused Changes
Image: BMW
While the i3 cabin naturally looks quite a lot like the other Neue Klasse offering, there are changes for the low-slung sedan shape. The central screen remains 17.9 inches and features the same parallelogram shape, but is canted three more degrees towards the driver. Panoramic iDrive is of course still here, beaming pertinent details along the base of the windshield-but also seemingly within the hood, meaning the driver’s eyes don’t need to refocus quite so hard. The main screen allows for plenty of customization on its main menu, plus drag and drop capability for the Panoramic Vision display.
At launch the i3 will offer four interior design themes: the standard setup is BMW’s Econeer material in gray, made entirely of recycled PET plastics. Stepping up to the Veganza faux-cow provides four color options: the Digital White seen here, plus Agave Green, Castanea, and black. An M package adds a bit of faux-suede and also comes only in black; optional M Sport seats are Adelaide Gray. Real (Merino) leather is limited to the BMW Individual cabin; any color so long as it’s black, too. The funky steering wheel of the iX3 is standard; those wanting a more traditional design will also find one in the M Sport package.
Image: BMW
Power-adjustable seats are standard; the M sport package available from launch adds M Sport seats (plus multiple exterior bits). There are other renewable or recycled materials throughout the i3, including recycled plastics in the front bumper and secondary aluminium in the wheel hub carriers and swivel bearings.
On the tech side, Intelligent Personal Assistant adds an alternative voice, BMW promises the “gradual” introduction of a large language model will only improve the natural nature of this voice assistant. The i3 allows for up to seven driver profiles, and also offers a digital key feature-sharable to 18 people. A 3D head-up display (HUD) is optional. An available Digital Premium package “increases the BMW Maps functions available in the BMW i3 as well as the data volume for different types of entertainment.”
The 2027 BMW i3 will begin production at BMW’s home plant in Munich, which has undergone extensive renovations in preparation for this, and will transition to exclusively building EVs next year.
AutoGuide’s Take
Image: BMW
The 2027 iX3 was one of the very best vehicles we sampled last year, feeling like it skipped an entire generation in EV development. Obviously the SUV shape makes a whole lot of sense as the first model out the gate: it’s what the market demands. Yet the sedan is the one we really want; lower, lighter, and very likely more agile, we also dig the new look when applied to this shape. Plus, this is just the beginning; we already know a quad-motor M model is coming.
With the iX3 targeting a mid-60s price in the US market, we suspect the i3 will slot in under $60,000, making it a relatively affordable model considering the size, power, and equipment. Bring it on, BMW.
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