autonomy up to 900 km, 469 HP and charging at 400 kW

BMW has officially presented the new i3, and the return of this name is one of the most interesting moves made by the German company in recent years. This time we are not talking about the urban and unconventional sedan that we knew from the past, but about a middle-class electric sedan built on the Neue Klasse platform, conceived as the electric equivalent of the 3 Series. BMW confirms that the model debuts as the second representative of the new Neue Klasse generation, after the iX3, and opens a new chapter for the brand’s electric range.

The version released now is called BMW i3 50 xDrive and is equipped with two electric motors, one on each axle, for all-wheel drive. Total power reaches 345 kW, the equivalent of 469 hp, and maximum torque is 645 Nm. BMW says the new model uses the sixth generation of eDrive technology and introduces a completely new architecture designed to offer greater efficiency, better performance and a driving experience closer to what customers expect from a real BMW.

One of the most important innovations is the 800V electrical system. It allows fast DC charging at up to 400kW, and BMW says the car can recover up to around 400km of range in just 10 minutes of charging in ideal conditions. Also officially, the Germans announce a range of up to 900 km in the WLTP cycle for some versions of the range, which clearly demonstrates the ambition of the new i3 to become a point of reference in the premium electric sedan segment.

In terms of positioning, the new BMW i3 is exactly the car that many fans of the brand have been waiting for: a true electric 3 Series, not just an experimental interpretation. The international automotive press describes it as a completely new model compared to the old i3, with classic sedan proportions, a dedicated platform and a technical package that places it squarely in the league of more serious rivals in the electric vehicle market. For BMW, this model is not only an important launch, but a strategic one, as the Neue Klasse will redefine the core of its electric range for years to come.

And inside, change is important. The new i3 adopts the new iDrive Overview concept, with information projected across the entire base of the windscreen and a large central screen facing the driver. Additionally, the model introduces new integrated computer systems that BMW says will handle dynamic, infotainment and assistance functions more efficiently. In short, the new i3 promises to be not only faster and more efficient, but also much more digitally advanced than any 3 Series known so far.

At this time, BMW has not yet announced an official price for Europe. However, international publications estimate that the new i3 will enter the market in a price range close to 60,000 dollars, which means approximately 55,000 euros as an indication, net of differences between markets and equipment levels. This clearly suggests that the new BMW i3 will not be an affordable electric vehicle, but a premium model that will directly appeal to customers interested in performance, long range and cutting-edge technology.

For the Romanian market, the new BMW i3 has every chance of becoming one of the most followed premium electric launches. Not only because it carries a heavy name, but because it promises exactly what many customers are looking for now: long battery life, very fast charging, top performance and a new, cleaner and more mature design. If BMW can deliver that brand-specific dynamic feel, then the i3 could become one of the most compelling electric alternatives to classic premium sedans of this era.

The verdict of the first impression is simple: the new BMW i3 is not trying to copy the spirit of the old i3, but to reinvent the name in a completely different class. Bigger, stronger, more advanced and much more mature, the new model seems built specifically for the phase when BMW no longer just wants to participate in the electrification game, but directly influence it. And that makes the new i3 one of the most important automotive launches of 2026.