BMW i3 reborn: Meet the new 2026 electric 3 Series
BMW has unveiled its new BMW i3, an all-electric version of its popular 3 Series saloon, with a new design and 559 miles worth of range – the longest of any EV on sale in Europe today.
The 2026 BMW i3 is the second EV-only ‘Neue Klasse’ car, following on the heels of the second-generation iX3. Both cars share BMW’s EV-only, 800V Gen6 platform.
Taking its name from the iconic BMW i3 hatchback, which was withdrawn from production towards the end of 2022, the electric 3 Series will first be sold as a saloon. A Touring estate will follow later.
Like the latest iX3, the new electric 3 series marks yet another milestone in BMW’s new electrification strategy, as it has beaten main rivals Mercedes and Audi to the market with an electric compact executive car – the equivalent electric C-Class EQ will arrive in the coming months, with an Audi A4 e-tron expected to follow.
The reborn BMW i3 will initially be offered in all-wheel-drive (AWD) 50 XDrive guise, with other trim levels – including a quad-motor, 1,000bhp M3 – scheduled for later in the line-up.
Battery and range
This eighth-generation car marks the first time BMW has fully electrified the 3 Series. At its core is a 108kWh, nickel-manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, capable of 559 miles of range on a single charge.
The big battery isn’t the sole factor behind the i3’s mile-munching capabilities. BMW’s Gen6 platform allows the seats to be bolted directly onto the battery pack, ensuring a low roofline to improve aerodynamics. The electric 3 Series’ floor is completely sealed to aid airflow across the car’s underbody.
With a maximum DC charging rate of 400kW, the i3 can onboard 249 miles of range in just 10 minutes. ‘Slow’ AC charging is capped at 22kW.
Weighing a robust 2.3 tonnes and measuring 4.7 metres long, the BMW i3 gets a twin-motor setup: a rear-mounted 322bhp electrically excited motor at the rear, and a 165bhp asynchronous motor up front. Combined, they produce a healthy 463bhp and 476lb ft of torque.
While no performance figures have yet been publicised, the new i3 is expected to achieve the 0-62mph run in around 4.0 seconds. Like the iX3, it gets 50:50 weight distribution, promising an authentic BMW driving experience.
BMW i3 design and pricing
The electric 3 Series ushers in an all-new design language for BMW’s best-seller. Like the iX3, it combines the slim headlights and kidney grilles into one element to emphasise its 1.87m width. Outlining elements of the i3’s newly redesigned front end also fully illuminates. BMW has, however, retained traditional 3 Series design cues such as the long body and rear overhangs.
Inside, the i3 mirrors its iX3 cousin. A 17.9-inch infotainment dominates the centre of the dashboard. Running on BMW’s latest iDrive software, it houses the majority of the car’s controls.
Both cars share the 43.3inch ‘Panoramic iDrive’ display, running the length of the dash under the driver’s eyeline. By displaying vehicle speed and its State of Charge (SoC), the Panoramic iDrive eliminates the need for a driver’s instrument binnacle. The four-spoke steering wheel boasts haptic controls for the first time in any BMW.
The electric 3 Series will be built at BMW’s Munich factory, and will be priced around £47,185 – the same price as the existing hybrid 3 Series.
