- New BMW i3 teased
- Set for full, undisguised launch on March 18th 2026
- First fully-electric 3 Series
- Performance variant i3M has already been previewed
- 800-volt EV architecture
- Ultra-rapid 400 kW DC charging
- Power of up to 469 hp
Here’s your first proper look at the first fully-electric BMW 3 Series, with the i3 poised for its official launch later this month.
The i3 is seen here in disguised form ahead of its full unveiling on March 18th 2026.
It’s not to be confused with the BMW i3 of old, with that ‘i3’ badge having previously been affixed to the firm’s compact crossover, which was discontinued in 2022.
The all-new BMW i3 is very much a saloon, and an electric sibling to the traditionally-fuelled 3 Series.
It’s also proudly wearing BMW’s fresh ‘Neue Klasse’ design language, as already seen with the award-winning BMW iX3.
Here’s everything we know so far.
How powerful is the new BMW i3?
While the BMW i3 is still in testing phase with full details still to be confirmed, we know that it’ll get the ‘50 xDrive’ powertrain that’s shared with the BMW iX3 SUV.
So, you can expect 800-volt tech with BMW’s sixth-generation ‘eDrive’ as well as peak charging power of 400 kw DC.
There’s all wheel drive, with motors on the front and rear axles.
BMW quotes a power output of up to 469hp and 645 Nm torque - which is the same as you get with the iX3.
(BMW iX3, left, and BMW i3, right)
The iX3 will accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds and we’d expect the more aerodynamic i3 to be even quicker.
Again, there’s no confirmed range figure just yet but with the iX3 able to travel close to 500 miles between charges, we fully expect the i3 to be able to go the distance - and then some.
Besides the regular i3, there’s also the BMW iM3, which we wrote about last month.
Here a quad motor set-up could deliver up to 1,000hp and supercar levels of acceleration.
Why is the BMW i3 being tested in Sweden?
Cold weather testing is crucial for any electric vehicle, as it lets manufacturers test range and charging capabilities in extreme conditions.
One of the other reasons the BMW i3 is seen here blatting about in the snows of Sweden is to assess the car’s intelligent control systems.
The so-called ‘Heart of Joy’ is one of four ‘superbrains’ in BMW’s Neue Klass cars.
It looks after systems like the drivetrain, brakes, charging, recuperation and steering subfunctions, while working in tandem with the BMW Dynamic Performance Control software.
BMW tells us: “Its responses are ten times faster than with previous systems. The result of this technological quantum leap is evident in the particularly effortless and exceptionally precise handling of the new BMW i3. Even on slippery surfaces like those in Arjeplog, Sweden, the Heart of Joy ensures agile propulsion.”
We’ll bring you full details as we get them in the coming weeks.
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