Battery size: 108.7kWh
WLTP range: 559 miles
Max charge rate: 400kW
E-Rating™: A+
Introduction – 2026 BMW i3 Neue Klasse
Here we are then! I know that lots of electric cars are described as milestones, but this really is a huge... well, milestone. Welcome to the new BMW i3 Neue Klasse – the all-new, all-electric BMW 3 Series for the electric age.
I actually really like what BMW’s done with the design. It’s clearly inspired by that divisive Neue Klasse concept – the same one that also inspired the BMW iX3 that I love so much. It looks so futuristic that I'd say it looks like it’s skipped a generation compared with today’s petrol BMW 3-Series (which will continue to be sold alongside the BMW i3 for the foreseeable, by the way).
The new BMW i3 is cleaner, more modern and, to my eyes, more elegant than recent BMWs. It’s slightly bigger too, with a longer wheelbase and wider stance than the existing 3-Series, which should mean more cabin space and better stability on the road, although I'm in agreement that having cars get bigger with every generation isn't always a good thing!
Still, at 4.76m long, 1.86m wide (not including the mirrors) and 1.48m high it's still very much a compact(ish) saloon that's on par with rivals like the forthcoming new electric Mercedes CLA and C-Class EQ Technology, Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, and a bit smaller than alternatives like the VW ID.7 and BYD Seal.
More than that, it's got class leading claimed WLTP range. The BMW i3 50 xDrive will be the only model available from launch in the UK, and it gets a phenomenal claimed range of 559 miles. How about that for a milestone, then?!
Range, battery and charging
BMW is promising big things here. The i3 sits on the new Neue Klasse platform, which uses the company's new, sixth-generation cylindrical battery cell technology for big range and efficiency from a very energy dense 108.7kWh usable NMC battery. The BMW i3 50 xDrive gets that headline WLTP range of up to 559 miles, despite having a punchy 469hp and dual motors for all-wheel drive.
That's well ahead of the longest range Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3, and while we haven't driven the new BMW i3 yet our experience of real-world range in the BMW iX3 suggests that well over 400 to 450 miles will be achievable. We'll have to report back with more accurate real-world range when we've driven it. Expect cheaper, rear-wheel-drive versions of the BMW i3 to arrive later – potentially with smaller batteries, although there's no confirmation of those details just yet.
Charging is just as impressive, courtesy of an 800V system (which is like having industrial wiring that allows for much faster charging than you get with the more common 400V system in most EVs). Peak DC charging is up to 400kW, which means you could add around 200 miles in just 10 minutes – if you can find a 400kW charger to match that kind of charging potential. A 10–80% charge could take just 20 minutes in ideal conditions.
One of the 150kW rapid chargers that are very common in UK motorway services will still be capable of delivering a 100 mile top-up in around 15 minutes in the new i3, while a 10–80% battery charge would take more like 30 to 40 minutes.
The battery will also automatically preheat to deliver the best charging speeds, provided you've put your charging stop in as the destination on the car's in-built nav, or there's a manual button to activate battery preheating (which I think is essential, as I prefer to use Apple CarPlay for my nav stuff, and don't often plan my charging stops on the nav.) Just make sure you hit the preheat button at least 30 to 45 minutes before you think you're going to rapid charge, to get the best charging speeds!
AC charging is up to 11kW, as standard, or 22kW is optional. Most BMW i3 owners will charge from a standard 7kW home wall box most of the time, which will take around 16–18 hours for a full charge from nearly empty.
You also get vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, so that you can charge your electrical devices, and BMW tells us that it has 'future proofed' the i3 with functionality for vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home charging. You can read all about what that means in our explainer.
Practicality and boot space
Because the new BMW i3 was designed as an EV from the ground up, there’s noticeably more space inside than a traditional 3 Series.
The longer wheelbase really pays off in the rear seats – I found it feels airier and more spacious, and definitely roomier than the rear seats of a Tesla Model 3, in particular. Mind you, there's not much space for your feet under the front seats, and taller adults might still feel a tiny bit hemmed in. I'm 5ft 4in tall, and I was very comfortable back there.
Boot space figures aren’t confirmed yet, but expect it to be competitive with the Model 3. Mind you, the new i3 is a saloon, so the Polestar 2's hatchback boot opening will give it an advantage. That is until the BMW i3 Touring arrives, which I think is going to look brilliant, and as a dog owner I'd definitely be waiting for the estate version.
Interior, styling and technology
Inside, BMW has gone full minimalism – and I’m a big fan of it. It's all quite recognisable from the iX3, and that means a clean, modern and very 'next-gen' feel to everything. There are hardly any buttons, and even the traditional iDrive controller has gone.
Everything is handled through the central touchscreen or steering wheel controls. Do you like this fancy steering wheel? I love it – I think I want it mounted on my office wall so that I can look at it, like some kind of ornament. I also like the way it feels and find it pretty natural to use, but I know some others find the steering wheel buttons a bit awkward. The good news is that there is a more conventional steering wheel if you'd prefer.
The big talking point inside the new i3 is BMW’s Panoramic Vision system, which projects information across a readout that sits above the steering wheel and runs the full width of the windscreen. It looks really slick, and I like that you can customise it by dragging widgets across, but I also like that you can choose 'Silent Mode', which turns off all but the essential information for less distraction and glow at night.
There are four interior 'moods'. Sadly no yellow corduroy, like you got in the concept car! I quite like this Digital White setup though, especially with that blingy, squared-off steering wheel that I've already mentioned I'm a fan of.
Naturally, you can set your phone up to be the key to the car, as well as with an app for control of the charging functions and cabin pre-heating. There are also over 60 apps including streaming services – you can even have Zoom for your work calls, if you want – and there's wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well.
Personally, I like the slanted screen, and the graphics are just fantastic. It responds quickly and I find the system pretty easy to use – although I wouldn't mind having a bit of a ledge to steady my hand for more accurate prodding of the screen when I'm driving. Let us know what you think of that new steering wheel, and the i3's interior design in general, by leaving a comment on the video.
Motors and performance
Sadly, we haven't driven the new 2026 BMW i3 yet but we do know that it will only be offered from launch as the i3 50 xDrive, which gets dual electric motors delivering 469hp and 645Nm. There's no confirmed 0–62mph time yet but the iX3 with the same powertrain and performance manages it in 4.9 seconds, so the i3 will almost certainly do it a fraction quicker than that.
I like the clever all-wheel drive motor setup in the i3, too. It prioritises the rear motor, for efficiency, only bringing in the front motor when needed for grip or performance. Basically, it's rear-wheel drive most of the time so that you get the best real-world range, but provides near enough instant four-wheel drive when you need it.
You'll also be able to add optional adaptive suspension to the i3, which I'd say is good news. The one thing that I've noticed about the iX3 on its standard passive suspension is that it's a bit firmer than some might want over scruffy UK roads, and you can't add adaptive suspension yet to the iX3. I think it'd benefit from it, so it'll be interesting to see how the i3 manages – with and without the adaptive suspension – on our infamously rubbish roads.
Expect a smaller battery, rear-wheel drive BMW i3 to join the range in the next year or so, and a full-fat electric BMW M3 is also on the cards – but probably not for a year or two yet.
Pricing and on sale date
Prices haven’t been confirmed yet, but BMW says this new platform is cheaper to build, and I'm expecting the i3 to undercut the old BMW i4 that it replaces – just like the new iX3 has done with the old iX3. I suspect that the i3 50 xDrive will come in at around £55,000, with the lower range, entry-level i3 model probably bringing prices down to closer to £45,000 when that arrives.
Obviously, monthly finance deals and leasing costs will be critical to its success, so we'll have to wait and see what those costs are when the new BMW i3 goes on sale in the UK before the end of 2026.
Needless to say, if BMW gets the pricing right, this could be one of the most compelling premium EV saloons on sale.
Verdict
It’s hard to overstate how important this car is for BMW – and from what I’ve seen so far, I think the company has nailed the brief.
I know the design is a bit divisive – some people love it, and some really don't! I think it’s cleaner, more modern and less shouty than recent BMWs, and it feels like a proper evolution rather than just an electric conversion. It's a big leap forward inside, too. I'm a fan of the minimal, high-tech finish, and more than that I like that the new i3 feels genuinely different from anything else in this class.
The real headline is that range! That, together with the charging speeds and new 'superbrain' architecture that ties it all together, suggest that BMW is serious about competing with – and possibly beating – the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and even the new Mercedes CLA and forthcoming C-Class.
Of course, the proof will be in how it drives. This is a BMW and it's got to drive properly, but we won't find out about that until we get behind the wheel later this year. If it builds on what I’ve already experienced in the iX3 and combines that with proper 3-Series dynamics, this could easily become the new benchmark for electric executive cars. I genuinely can't wait!
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