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BMW has finally unveiled the i3, a 470-horsepower “Neue Klasse” sedan

If SUVs aren't your thing, there may still be a Neue Klasse EV for you

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Front view of a blue BMW i3 on the road
BMW

BMW has revived the i3, and it’s no longer a strange little carbon fiber hatchback with a range extender. Instead, it’s the first “Neue Klasse” sedan, bringing to life a concept the Bavarian automaker unveiled years ago. The sportier EV sits alongside the iX3 SUV, which is expected to hit the road this summer.

The upcoming vehicle also a de-facto replacement for the i4, with the established electric sedan ceasing production in 2027. Roughly the same time as the Neue Klasse is set to hit the road.

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In terms of looks, gone are the long front kidney grilles and in their place comes a wide, aggressive, front with the grilles kind of integrating with the headlights to a degree. It looks a bit like a cross between an early 2000s BMW and a muscle car.

As with the iX3, the midrange model is launching first. The i3 50 xDrive will run a dual-motor setup, providing all-wheel drive and just shy of 470 horsepower. A more powerful “M package” variant, and a cheaper single motor option, are expected to come along later. This isn’t all the i3 has in common with the iX3.

The BMW i3 has a few things in common with the iX3

Side view of a blue BMW i3 on the road
BMW

Both vehicles sit on a sixth generation battery pack with 20% higher energy density than its predecessors, and both use an 800-volt architecture. Which means lightning-fast charging is possible, should you plug the vehicle into a 400kW DC fast charger. 248 miles of range, more than the entire range of many EVs, can be added in as little as 10 minutes.

A dash-length “panoramic vision” infotainment display is present in both vehicles, and this can be easily customized with a series of drag and drop widgets.

The two vehicles also differ in some departments. The i3 has more range than the iX3, clocking up to 440 miles per charge according to estimated EPA figures, which is more than the 400 similar estimates suggest the iX3 will get. This is somewhat expected, as sedans tend to be smaller and lighter than SUVs. Less weight generally means more range, and when you add in aerodynamics that gives you roughly 10% more out of your battery apparently.

BMW’s new i3 is also a lot sportier than the iX3, which again is to be expected. Its suspension system will include active dampers, which should boost performance when cornering. It also has a lower profile, and more aerodynamic shape.

Controls such as braking, steering, and the throttle are patched through a centralized computer system BMW calls the “Heart of Joy.” This is expected to reduce latency and increase driving performance.

Production of the BMW i3 is set to begin in Munich this summer, with the first models rolling out in Europe some time between November and December 2026. As with the iX3, US-based BMW enthusiasts will have to wait a little while to get their hands on one. It isn’t expected stateside until 2027.

Dave McQuilling
Dave McQuilling
Former Digital Trends Contributor
After completing a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Sutherland University, Dave began an accomplished career as a… Read Full Bio
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