BMW will finally reveal the new i3, the second Neue Klasse EV following the iX3 SUV, on March 18. With its debut less than two weeks away, BMW revealed a few more details about what to expect.
The Neue Klasse BMW i3 EV will debut on March 18, 2026
The new electric i3 is widely considered one of, if not the most important, vehicles in BMW’s history, alongside the iX3.
It will be the second Neue Klasse vehicle, following the iX3, and the first sedan from the new lineup. After the first pre-series i3 rolled off the production line last month, BMW announced on Thursday that it will reveal the Neue Klasse electric sedan on March 18, 2026.
Ahead of its debut, BMW put i3 prototypes through the paces at its winter test center in Sweden to fine-tune the driving dynamics on snow-covered roads and frozen lakes.
According to Mike Reichelt, Head of BMW Neue Klasse, the “Heart of Joy” control unit and the BMW Dynamic Performance Control driving stack take dynamic driving to an entirely new level.”
The Heart of Joy, as BMW calls it, is one of four “superbrains” in the Neue Klasse. When combined with its in-house Dynamic Performance Control software, the powertrain, brakes, and some steering functions respond 10 times faster than BMW’s current setup.
In addition, with two electric motors, the new i3 “ensures superior driving stability,” BMW said, adding it “sets new standards in driving dynamics.”
Based on BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive (Gen6) 800V architecture, the Neue Klasse i3 50 xDrive delivers up to 469 hp (345 kW) and 645 Nm of torque with a peak charging capacity of up to 400 kW.
Although it’s still a prototype, you can clearly see that the i3 will feature BMW’s updated Neue Klasse design, with the “four-eyed” face and a tighter kidney grille.
Like the iX3, the electric sedan will feature a similar minimalist setup to the iX3 with a massive 17.9″ central touchscreen, redesigned, easier-to-use steering wheel, and BMW’s Panoramic Vision 3D Head-Up Display.
BMW will reveal the Neue Klasse i3 in full on March 18, with series production scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.
We will learn range and other specs closer to launch, but the Neue Klasse i3 will likely be available with the same 108.7 kWh battery pack as the iX3, enabling a WLTP range of up to 805 km (500 miles).
As for charging, the iX3 can gain 373 km (231 miles) of range in around 10 minutes. You can expect the new i3 to be around the same.
With production set for the second half of 2026, the Neue Klasse i3 is expected to go on sale in Europe, the US, and other global markets later this year or early 2027 as BMW’s answer to the Tesla Model 3.
BMW accidentally leaked its 2027 lineup last week, revealing that the i3 will be available with 40 xDrive and 50 xDrive variants. It will join the iX3, set to go on sale this summer, and the upcoming iX4 (which we caught a sneak peek of earlier this week), and the iX5.
With the Neue Klasse models arriving, BMW is offering a few deals on its current EV lineup to make room for them. You can find local offers and see available models at a dealer near you using the links below.
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