BMW takes the wraps off the all-new i3 electric sedan, India launch on the horizon?

Witnessing the rising demand of high-end luxury EV vehicles, BMW has taken the cover off its all-new i3, a sedan counterpart to the iX3 electric SUV that was launched last year. The i3 moniker has also been synonymous with an all-electric hatchback that BMW sold from the year 2013 to 2022. The new i3 delineates some of the changes you can expect from the next generation of the BMW 3 Series.

2026 BMW i3 exterior design

The all-new i3 is the second model to adopt the all-new styling elements that BMW is leading with, called the Neue Klasse. The car features two angular nostrils synonymous with the kidney grille design that many BMW variations have used over the years. The extended grilles house the headlights as well as the radiator grilles in an unmatched bonhomie. The front fascia also neatly combines the all-new vertical air intakes joined in between by front fenders that lend a sporty look to the i3’s front fascia.

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The i3’s overall design is similar to that of the conventional three-box design, but BMW classifies it as the 2.5-box design. No curvy or swooping overhangs—the vehicle is rather angular and sleek to reduce the overall drag. BMW adds to the appeal with their all-new intricately designed wheels that fit the large wheel wells, lending a sporty look to the vehicle.

Slight remnants of the Hoffmeister kink are still evident, and beyond that, the boot lid section blends into the neatly designed rear sections with a race hardware-inspired splitter underneath. BMW has also teased an estate version of the i3 during the launch, highly likely to be revealed later this year.

BMW i3 Interior and Features

The interior brims with elements borrowed from the iX3, including the unique steering wheel with vertical twin spokes, a 17.9-inch rhomboidal infotainment touchscreen, and an edge-to-edge panoramic vision display on the far ends of the dashboard, which displays as the driver’s display or can be used for other important information during the drive.

Stepping ahead into the buttonless future, the interior is replete with a bunch of settings that can be changed through the touchscreen. The i3 offers powered front seats, ambient lighting, Level 2 ADAS, a wireless charging pad, and a new AI assistant with an optional 3D heads-up display and more.

Battery and range

The i3 has been based on the 800V Neue Klasse platform. The i3 is equipped with a dual-motor 50 xDrive powertrain; this will be the sole spec available for the car. BMW has not specified the i3 50 xDrive’s battery capacity, but it would likely be the same 108.7 kWh battery pack as that of the iX3. System output stands at 469 hp and 645 Nm. The WLTP range is a whopping 900 km, around 95 km higher than that of the conventional iX3.

The i3 will support up to 400 kW DC charging, enabling a 400 km range top-up in a mere 10 minutes. AC charging support extends up to 22 kWh. The car also has a new ECU, dubbed as the “heart of joy,” which was unveiled as a part of the BMW Vision Experience concept last year.

BMW will also be revealing an all-new electric M3. The new enthusiast sedan could be a quad-motor setup, one for each wheel.

Production of the new i3 will commence at BMW’s Munich Group from August 2026, and deliveries are expected to start from autumn this year in global markets, while the iX3 is slated for a launch in India by early 2027. It remains to be seen if BMW will bring the i3 to India.