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BMW i3
Technical description:
Model: i3
Body Type: Sedan
Power: 462 HP
WLTP Range: 563 miles
Battery: 112 kWh
DC Charging: 400 kW
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What's new
The BMW i3 is the first fully electric version of the 3 Series class and it is now available to order as the i3 50 xDrive First Edition. It is not a conversion of the existing combustion-car platform, because its structure has been designed around an electric drivetrain. In the range it takes the role of a saloon aimed directly at number-led rivals such as the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and the electric Mercedes C-Class.
The i3 50 xDrive First Edition comes with M Sport styling, matching interior elements and BMW’s Panoramic iDrive system. BMW lists the launch version from £57,905, putting it above the roughly £50,000 figures quoted for the Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor and Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor. In return, this first version uses the strongest confirmed non-M powertrain in the i3 line-up.
BMW says the i3 family will broaden over time. Only one body style and one powertrain have been confirmed so far, but an i3 estate and an i4 Coupé are planned. A higher-performance electric BMW iM3 is also scheduled for 2027, with four motors and a high-performance battery pack developed by BMW M.
- BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition is the first version on sale.
- Planned derivatives include an i3 estate and i4 Coupé.
- BMW iM3 is due in 2027 with four electric motors.
- Single-motor versions and smaller battery packs are expected for the range.
Specifications and technology
Powertrain, battery and charging
The key numbers belong to the 50 xDrive set-up, already used in the larger and heavier iX3. Its twin electric motors produce 462bhp and 645Nm, with 0-62mph taking about 4 seconds. BMW claims a WLTP range of up to 563 miles, supported by a 112kWh gross battery with 108kWh usable capacity.
The lithium-ion pack uses BMW’s own cylindrical cells and is mounted under the floor in a cell-to-case layout. The car uses a pair of asymmetrical motors on the axles and can charge at up to 400kW on a suitable DC charger. BMW says this allows the i3 to add 248 miles of range in 10 minutes.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power | 462bhp |
| Torque | 645Nm |
| Battery | 112kWh gross, 108kWh usable |
| WLTP range | up to 563 miles |
| DC charging | up to 400kW |
| 0-62mph | about 4 seconds |
Body, cabin and electronics
The new saloon is 4,714mm long, making it 49mm longer than the current 3 Series. It is also 38mm wider and 42mm taller, while the car shown in the pictures runs on 21-inch wheels. The design follows ideas previewed by the BMW i Vision Dee in 2023, with illuminated black front panels, a clean lower opening, active shutters and functional air curtains.
The side profile draws on earlier 3 Series models, with the boxier E36 named as a clear reference point. The surfaces are cleaner and more solid-looking than many current BMWs, with flush door handles, door skins meeting the glass without plastic trim, and headlights integrated into the front panels. At the rear, simple lights sit on either side of the BMW badge.
Inside, the layout centres on Panoramic iDrive, which replaces a traditional instrument cluster with a full-width display area at the base of the windscreen. It can show speed, range, navigation prompts and short pieces of information linked to the driving mode, including G-meters and power displays in Sport mode. A 17.9-inch angled touchscreen handles most functions, although BMW keeps physical controls for the demisters, volume and hazard lights.
BMW groups the car’s electronics under a system it calls Heart of Joy. It links the powertrain, brakes, infotainment, automatic lights and autonomous driving functions into one software stack. One described result is the braking system, which can use regeneration to bring the car to a complete stop without relying on friction brakes.
Markets, prices and availability
Price and positioning
The car is available to order as the i3 50 xDrive First Edition, but no separate market launch date or country list is given. The known starting price for this version is £57,905. Official prices and specifications are not yet supplied for the entry versions, the estate, the i4 Coupé or the electric iM3.
The comparison figures explain why BMW is targeting the strongest electric saloons in the class. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor has a 410-mile WLTP figure and 250kW DC charging at around £50,000. The Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor offers a 369-mile range and 205kW charging, also at around £50,000.
- Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor: 410 miles WLTP, 250kW DC charging, about £50,000.
- Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor: 369 miles of range, 205kW charging, about £50,000.
- Electric Mercedes C-Class: a saloon sharing its basis with the GLC Electric SUV.
A new-generation Polestar 2 is expected to arrive in 2027, while Tesla is not expected to replace the Model 3 soon in 2026. Mercedes has launched its electric C-Class saloon, which, like the i3, is described as a ground-up electric reinterpretation and shares its underpinnings with an SUV. The Mercedes system is described with a 94kWh battery.
Verdict
The BMW i3 enters the segment with a large battery, a claimed 563-mile range and 400kW charging. If the figures stand up in real use, the electric 3 Series will become a serious reference point for battery-powered saloons.
Frequently asked questions
When was the BMW i3 premiere?
The BMW i3 premiere in the CarsUpcoming calendar took place on 18 June 2026.
When will the BMW i3 go on sale in the UK?
The BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition is available to order, but no separate UK market launch date has been announced.
How much will the BMW i3 cost?
The BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition starts from £57,905 in the United Kingdom. Prices for other versions have not been announced yet.
Should I wait for the BMW i3 or buy the current model now?
The BMW i3 is the first fully electric 3 Series-class model and is built around an electric drivetrain rather than converted from a combustion-car platform. Waiting gets you the new EV layout, up to 563 miles of WLTP range, up to 400 kW DC charging and Panoramic iDrive, but a direct comparison with a current predecessor is not possible from the confirmed information.
What is the range of the BMW i3?
BMW claims up to 563 miles of WLTP range for the i3 50 xDrive First Edition. It uses a 112 kWh gross battery, with 108 kWh usable capacity.
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