Ladies and gentlemen, fans of the BMW 3 Series, the core BMW sports sedan that has defined the segment for decades, undergoes its biggest, most radical redesign yet. Say hello to the 2026 BMW i3, the first sedan underpinned by their award-winning Neue Klasse platform and design language. It bears the NA0 chassis code, while the next-generation gas-powered 3 Series, which will ride on a heavily updated CLAR platform, will also adopt a few design cues from the Neue Klasse electric vehicles (EVs).
From a design perspective, the 2026 BMW i3 takes the Neue Klasse design formula from the iX3 but interpreted into a sedan format. Since these EVs hark back to the original Neue Klasse models from the 1970s and 80s, the narrow vertical kidney grilles have been reimagined into a wide yet slim grille design that flanks the LED headlights. You won’t see chrome trimmings here, as the bezels of the enclosed grille use LED accent lighting.
At the sides, the i3 retains its signature rear-wheel drive (RWD) proportions, with short front overhangs and a Hofmeister Kink that provide its visual identity as a BMW. Flush door handles are the order of the day, along with a long wheelbase provided by its bespoke EV architecture. Finally, moving towards the rear, there are wide LED taillights with slim LED graphics, along with a minimalist trunk lid design. For now, what was shown is the M Sport model, so we’re curious to find out how the non-M Sport versions will look.
As you move inside the cabin, you’ll be greeted by a now-familiar layout with the new Panoramic iDrive dominating the dashboard. It consists of a secondary pillar-to-pillar display, a 17.9-inch main touchscreen that’s slightly angled towards the driver, and an optional 3D head-up display.
The controversial four-spoke steering design makes its way here as well. The rest of the cabin is finished in premium materials, which come with the choice of leather and/or sustainable materials that still feel luxurious. Other features worth mentioning include a standard panoramic glass roof, a Harman Kardon sound system, and plenty of LED ambient lighting. Also, as an EV riding on a bespoke EV platform, there’s a large front trunk.
Riding on the Neue Klasse EV platform, the 2027 BMW i3 uses an 800-volt architecture that allows for up to 400 kW of rapid DC fast charging. The lithium-ion battery pack, therefore, can add up to 400 km of range in just 10 minutes. Though the battery size has not yet been revealed, it is likely to share the same 109 kWh unit as the iX3 50 xDrive.
Whatever the case, here in the i3 50 xDrive, this electric sports sedan has a WLTP-rated range of 900 kilometers–easily more than a lot of gas-powered vehicles at this point. That’s despite the sole i3 50 xDrive that has been revealed so far having a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup that’s good for 463 horsepower and 645 Nm of torque. Just imagine then how far the upcoming rear-wheel drive (RWD) versions can travel in a single charge. Of course, in typical BMW fashion, the i3 50 xDrive has a rear-biased setup.
Like the iX3, the i3 is powered by the Heart of Joy, which is BMW’s central driving dynamics system that interprets the brand’s more than 100 years of driving dynamics development into software code. This controls how the power is delivered through all four wheels, as well as how the stability and traction control work together to offer both a sportier and comfortable driving experience.
The 2027 BMW i3 will commence production in Munich in August. A Philippine launch may likely happen in early 2027. BMW has confirmed that the i3 will be offered in a Touring (wagon) version, along with the future electric M3. For those waiting for the next gas-powered 3 Series will have to wait a bit longer.
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