The iconic BMW 3 Series goes electric! Meet the 2027 Neue Klasse BMW i3 xDrive 50

An incredible 900km WLTP range is the headline claim for the new BMW i3 that has made its global debut on home turf in Munich tonight.

To also be built in Munich at a refurbished plant, the i3 is the second of BMW’s Neue Klasse EV models and it’s the first ever battery electric version of its iconic 3 Series sports sedan.

The 3 Series has been around through seven generations since 1975 and more than 14 million have been sold, but until now there hasn’t been a BEV powertrain.

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With generation eight that all changes, as the i3 goes into production in Europe in 2026 and on-sale in Australia in early 2027.

The world premier model is the dual motor i3 xDrive 50, just as it was for the debut iX3 SUV that introduced us to the $17 billion (and counting) Neue Klasse technology and design platform last year.

When it arrives expect i3 pricing to sit somewhere not far north of $100,000, considering the new iX3 is priced at $109,900.

Usually, the i3 SUV is more expensive than the 3 Series sedan, so its logical to expect the i3 to maintain that advantage over the iX3.

The i3X claims an 805km WLTP range, but the lighter (no kerb weight is offered), lower, sleeker i3 tops that, as it shares the same sixth generation BMW eDrive powertrain including 108kWh cell-to-pack battery with cylindrical cells that can be recharged at up to 400kW thanks to an 800v electric architecture.

That equates to a 400km range boost in just 10 minutes.

AC recharging is set at a maximum 22kW.

The i3 also offers bidirectional charging capability.

The i3 will be a faster car as well, as the i3 xDrive 50 will share the same 345kW/645Nm as the iX3 (it claims 4.9 secs 0-100km/h).

If that 900km WLTP range figure crystalises into fact then the i3 will be – based on current knowledge – the EV with the longest range between recharges on-sale in Australia.

Currently the 750km Tesla Model 3 Long Range tops the list, but the iX3 will replace it and the Volvo EX60 (810km) will go fractionally further. Of course, there’s every chance something else will pop up in the meantime to steal everyone’s thunder.

BMW forecasts i3 will also a be sharper handling than the iX3 thanks to its lighter weight and lower centre of gravity, as well as the software-managed and naffly-named Symbiotic Drive control system and Heart of Joy Superbrain (one of four) it shares with the iX3

Adaptive suspension works with a spring strut front-end and five-link rear-end. Automated driving will also be managed by its own ‘Superbrain’. BMW claims it provides “seamless” interaction between driver-controlled and automated steering and braking.

Regenerative braking handles most stops, with mechanical brakes only called in to assist when heavy pressure like a panic stop is applied.

Later, just like the iX3, i3s with smaller batteries and single rear-mounted motors will be offered.

But unlike the iX3 there’s also going to be the quad motor lunatic M3 EV added to the line-up.

Where the iX3 and i3 are very different of course is in their exterior design.

The i3 retains classic 3 Series sports sedan proportions with short overhangs and rearward sloping glasshouse. It’s fractionally larger than the current G20 3 Series ICE in all key dimensions including the wheelbase and that helps accommodate its big battery pack.

Actual measurements (with the current 3 series sedan in brackets are: Length 4763mm (4709mm), width 1865mm (1827mm), height 1482mm (1442mm) and wheelbase 2897mm (2851mm).

The i3 has a new illuminated grille that actually features subtle inner and outer BMW kidneys bookended by twin headlights.

There’s also a new valley in the bonnet and the whole fascia is slanted forward to give it a classic shark nose effect.

It also helps the various sensors hidden behind it work effectively. Under the bonnet you’ll find a storage frunk.

Along the side of the car the presentation is typically 3 Series, with some tuning. Note the new break in the classic Hofmeister Kink, the partial shoulder line over the muscly wheel arches and a subtle boneline further down.

At the rear there are horizontal LED taillights and another valley to house and emphasise the BMW badge.

The i3 was presented in a new Le Castellet Blue metallic and with an M Sport package expected to be standard in Australia. The 21-inch alloy wheels shown with the debutant will feature on the production i3 as well.

While they have a traditional look they are designed to be very aero efficient and have been developed using BMW’s motorsport knowledge

Inside the i3 the basic presentation from the driver’s seat is very familiar compared to the iX3.

The four elements of BMW’s new panoramic iDrive are all included. They are the squared off steering wheel with vertical spokes, the floating driver-focussed central touchscreen, the 3D head up display and headline-grabbing panoramic vision instrument panel.

This stretches across the bottom of the windscreen and replaces a traditional instrument cluster.

Key new infotainment tech such as the BMW Operating System X, shy tech controls, the personal assistant using large learning model technology and a heavy focus on screen interaction over physical buttons are familiar from the iX3.

But the driver and passengers obviously sit lower than in the SUV and to emphasise that the door trims dive down into the dashboard. The dash itself is also lower than in the iX3.

In the back seat there’s plenty of room in all directions. The long wheelbase helps with that as does a roofline designed to create headroom despite a panoramic sunroof in the car we sat in.

Confirmed available equipment for the i3 includes tri-zone climate control, Harman Kardon stereo, multifunction seats and optional M Sport seats. Four interior design themes are offered. Trims start with artificial material and top out with Merino leather.

Boot measuremnts aren’t offered but the is a ski-port and a split-fold.

There are electrically operated door openers and flush-mounted exterior doorhandles. BMW says a digital key is the preferred access method.

With the iX3 confirmed for Australia mid this year and the i3 in early 2027 the roll-out of Neue Klasse has started.

Multiple all-new EV models are going to emerge in coming years, but aspects of Neue Klasse are going to reach into every part of the BMW line-up going forward, be it EV, hybrid or ICE.