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Codenamed NA0, the second Neue Klasse model shares its underpinnings with the iX3, yet the lighter, lower and more streamlined saloon body unlocks more range. Launching first as the i3 50 xDrive, its dual motors produce 463bhp and 476lb-ft (645Nm) torque combined. While the car’s acceleration and top speed stats are undisclosed at present, we expect a 4.7-second 0-62mph time and a terminal velocity of 130mph.
The most important confirmed stat is the maximum WLTP range of 562 miles, making it the longest range UK-bound EV by a healthy margin. The battery boasts a capacity over 100kWh and an 800v electrical architecture. This allows DC rapid charging at a peak input of 400kW, adding 248 miles of range in just 10 minutes. The cylindrical cells result in greater energy density than their prismatic predecessors, and are attached directly to the casing to reduce weight.
Having a large battery within the 2,897mm wheelbase guarantees a healthy driving range, but maximising it comes down to aerodynamic and drivetrain efficiency. The i3 features a completely closed underbody with a smooth floor, and operates primarily as a rear-wheel drive car to improve high speed efficiency; the nose-mounted motor activates when additional performance is required.
The most prominent drag-reducing feature is found on the nose: the horizontal kidney grille. Owing to lower cooling requirements than its piston-engined counterpart, the upper grille is purely aesthetic. LED strip lights draw the latest take on the BMW hallmark, with four-segment headlights found at the outer edges.
The car’s styling was initially previewed by the 2023 i Vision Dee concept, and subsequently teased by high-performance prototypes. Viewed from the side, the i3 has a traditional three-box saloon profile with far cleaner surfaces than the existing G20 3 Series. Gently flared wheel arches contain alloy wheels up to 21” in diameter, and house passive suspension with hydraulic bump stops; adaptive dampers will be confined to the options list. The edge-to-edge lighting theme of the nose continues at the rear, with a light bar running the full width of the tailgate.
Inside, the i3 runs BMW’s new Operating System X software. The infotainment centres around a parallelogram touchscreen angled towards the driver, and a pillar-to-pillar display at the base of the windscreen. While looking like a screen at first glance, closer inspection reveals a trio of projections like a traditional head-up display. Called Panoramic iDrive, from our experience with the iX3 it’s more intuitive to operate than existing systems, and customisable to suit the driver’s preferences or most used features.
There’s seating for five, two ISOFIX anchor points for child seats on the second row, and the option of a fixed glass roof. Three steering wheel designs will be available depending on the trim level, with most UK-bound examples likely to have the M Sport package as pictured. A large boot features behind the passenger cabin, complemented by a secondary storage area under the bonnet.
The dual-motor i3 50 xDrive saloon is just the start for the NA0, with additional drivetrains and body styles set to come in the following years. An i3 Touring is next in line, and a two-door i4 Coupé is rumoured to be in development. A variant with a smaller battery is expected to serve as an entry-level model, and a single-motor model could push the WLTP range ever closer to 600 miles. M models are on the way, with a quad-motor iM3 due to launch in 2027. We expect an i3 M60 to bridge the gap between this and the standard models. The Neue Klasse styling will make its way to the next generation 3 Series, even though the petrol and plug-in hybrid model will not be built on the same platform.
Further details of the i3’s powertrain, performance, and equipment levels will follow later this year. The model will be produced at BMW’s Munich factory, reaching the UK in the second half of 2026. We estimate a starting price around £55,000, rising to £61,000 depending on specification.
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