BMW has officially pulled the covers off the iX3, a fully electric SUV that not only signals the arrival of the brand’s Neue Klasse design language but also debuts a new EV platform promising more range, faster charging, and improved performance. While the SUV itself is the headline act, BMW used the occasion to tease what could become its most important electric model yet: the all-new i3 sedan.
The End of One i3, the Beginning of Another
For BMW fans, the “i3” badge carries weight. The original i3 hatchback, launched in 2014, was BMW’s first mass-produced EV. Its quirky design and innovative use of carbon fiber made it a pioneer, but it exited production in 2021. Now, BMW is reviving the nameplate for a compact electric sedan that will serve as the all-electric counterpart to the legendary 3-series.
The upcoming i3 sedan will ride on BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, which is engineered specifically for EVs. At the iX3 reveal, BMW showed a camouflaged prototype of the sedan, confirming that the i3 will inherit styling cues from its SUV sibling. This includes slim headlights set within a horizontal band and a modern reinterpretation of the kidney grille—now narrower and sleeker than before.
Power and Range: What We Know So Far
Although BMW hasn’t disclosed full technical details of the sedan, it’s expected to share much of its powertrain with the iX3 50 xDrive. That SUV features dual electric motors producing 463 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque, good for a 0–62 mph sprint in just 4.9 seconds.
The iX3’s 109-kWh battery pack will likely make its way into the sedan, providing an estimated 400 miles of EPA range. Perhaps even more impressive is the charging capability: BMW claims the system can handle up to 400 kW, allowing the vehicle to add 231 miles of range in just 10 minutes at a compatible fast charger. If the i3 inherits these specs, it could become one of the most competitive electric sedans on the market.
Gas and Electric 3-Series to Coexist
BMW isn’t phasing out gasoline just yet. The traditional 3-series will continue to be sold alongside the electric i3. An update is planned for the gas-powered model within the next couple of years, ensuring it visually aligns with the Neue Klasse-inspired design of its electric sibling. This dual strategy reflects BMW’s belief in offering customers both internal combustion and electric options for the foreseeable future.
What Comes Next: Performance and Beyond
BMW has also hinted at multiple variants following the i3 sedan’s launch. Chief among them will be a high-performance iM3, expected to arrive by 2027. While details are scarce, the iM3 is set to carry forward the spirit of the iconic M3, this time with electric power delivering track-worthy performance.
Launch Timeline
BMW plans to reveal the i3 sedan in full sometime next year, with sales expected to begin by the end of 2026. The iM3 and other variants will roll out afterward, cementing the Neue Klasse as the foundation of BMW’s electric future.
With the iX3 leading the charge and the i3 sedan on the horizon, BMW is making clear that its next chapter will be written in electric power, without losing the driving DNA that has defined the brand for decades.
