BMW put the new i3 to the test to showcase the power of its Gen6 batteries. The long-wheelbase i3 covered 753 miles (1,213 km) without stopping, the longest covered by any BMW EV to date.
BMW i3 50L delivers 1,213 km of range on a single charge
BMW Group began series production of its sixth-generation (Gen6) EV batteries in Shenyang on October 15, its third global production site for the new battery tech.
To prove the power of its latest battery tech, set to power its Neue Klasse lineup, BMW put the new i3 50L through an endurance test to see how far it can really drive.
BMW said the new cylindrical cells offer over 20% higher energy density, enabling 30% faster charging and longer driving range than the previous generation.
After unveiling the i3 50L, a long-wheelbase version developed specifically for China at the Chengdu Auto Show in August, BMW said it would deliver a CLTC range of over 621 miles (1,000 km), topping the iX3 50L with a CLTC range of 571 miles (919 km).
During the event, the i3 50L managed over 753 miles (1,213 km) on a single charge, a new record for a BMW electric vehicle, the company said. The electric sedan achieved an extremely efficient 8.8 kWh per 100 km, covering highways, city and rural streets.
While BMW said it was a brand record, not a global one, it was enough to top the Mercedes Vision EQXX, which traveled 1,202 km from Germany to the UK in 2022.
In June, BMW drove an iX3 50L prototype over 500 miles (800 km) around the Qinghai Lake grand loop. It achieved an energy consumption of 12.6 kWh per 100 km.
The long-wheelbase i3 uses a 113.4 kWh battery that delivers a CLTC range of over 621 miles (1,000 km). Thanks to its 800V architecture, the i3 50L can add 248 miles (400 km) of range in 10 minutes with up to 400 kW fast charging.
BMW opened orders for the iX3 50L at the Chengdu Auto Show in August, starting at RMB 269,900 ($40,000). The i3 50L is expected to go on sale later this year, with customer deliveries set to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
Top comment by Dan B
Impressive, but it would be nice for the article to cover more detail on how it achieved this. To just say it did it on highways, city and rural streets doesn't give us much.
Did they drive it 45 mph (72 kph)? Did they have the climate off or set to a certain temp? Were the tires set to factory spec or over-inflated? More detail please.
In the US, the 2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive is now available to order, starting at $61,500. It has an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 434 miles.
The 2027 BMW i3 is also on sale starting at the same price of $61,500. The electric sedan delivers up to 468 miles of range.
Source: Autohome, BMW Group China
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