BMW i3 275kW 40 xDrive 87kWh 4dr Auto
- Automatic Electric 4 door saloon
Ten Second Review
BMW’s all-new electric i3 represents a major step forward for the brand’s electric car ambitions. Combining the familiar appeal of the 3 Series with cutting-edge Neue Klasse technology, it promises impressive range, rapid charging and the driving dynamics BMW is famous for. If you’re looking for a premium electric saloon rather than another SUV, this could be one of the most significant EV launches yet.
Background
BMW has recognised that electric vehicle design and technology needed a fresh direction, and its Neue Klasse platform represents exactly that. Following the introduction of the new iX3 SUV, the all-electric i3 brings this next-generation technology to one of the most important model lines in BMW’s history.
The i3 name has been used before, most notably on BMW’s pioneering electric city car sold between 2013 and 2022. However, this latest model is an entirely different proposition. Rather than being a standalone electric vehicle, it represents the first globally available fully electric interpretation of the iconic BMW 3 Series.
For more than five decades, the 3 Series has been central to BMW’s identity. Translating that heritage into an electric saloon is therefore a significant undertaking.
Like the latest MINI Cooper, the new i3 will share much of its design language and technology with its combustion-engined counterpart. However, this is a BMW-developed product through and through, built around the company’s own next-generation electric architecture.
Competition will be fierce, with electric alternatives such as the Mercedes C-Class EQ and forthcoming Audi A4 e-tron expected to challenge BMW. Getting this car right is particularly important, and BMW appears determined to establish a new benchmark.
Engines and Tech Spec
The headline figure for the new BMW i3 is its remarkable electric range. The flagship twin-motor i3 50 xDrive features a 108.7kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery, delivering a claimed range of up to 567 miles. At launch, that figure places it among the longest-range electric cars available in Europe.
However, BMW knows that range alone won’t convince traditional 3 Series buyers to make the switch. Driving enjoyment has always been a defining characteristic of the model, particularly its rear-wheel-drive balance and engaging handling.
Recreating those qualities in an electric saloon weighing approximately 2.3 tonnes presented BMW’s engineers with a considerable challenge.
The solution includes BMW’s new ‘Heart of Joy’ processing system, which brings together the vehicle’s key driving and handling functions. Working alongside four powerful control units, it helps manage the car’s weight and power delivery to create a more natural driving experience.
BMW has also made significant mechanical changes rather than simply adapting the iX3 SUV’s suspension and handling characteristics.
The i3 benefits from a lower-mounted battery, revised suspension settings, softer springs, different anti-roll bars and quicker steering. Combined with an almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution, these changes are designed to deliver the balance expected of a BMW sports saloon.
Two powertrain options will be available initially. The entry-level 40 sDrive features a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, while the range-topping 50 xDrive uses two motors to provide all-wheel drive.
The 50 xDrive combines a 322hp rear motor with a 165hp front motor, producing a substantial 645Nm of torque. Performance is equally impressive, with 0-62mph taking approximately four seconds.
Drivers can select from several MyMode settings, including Sport, Efficient and Silent, alongside a configurable Personal mode that allows adjustments to steering, drivetrain response and regenerative braking.
Regenerative braking is particularly sophisticated. With the appropriate settings selected, the electric motors can handle up to 98% of braking requirements, reducing the need to use the conventional brake pedal. Selecting the maximum regeneration B mode allows the car to slow smoothly towards a complete stop.
BMW has also developed its suspension system to improve comfort, incorporating hydraulic rebound stops to help absorb road imperfections and deliver a more refined ride.
The latest driver assistance technology is another major feature. BMW’s Level 2-plus assistance systems use cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor driver behaviour and anticipate intentions, helping provide smoother and less intrusive assistance with functions such as adaptive cruise control and automated lane changing.
Further versions are expected, including a high-performance BMW M i3, potentially producing around 1,000hp through a four-motor electric drivetrain.
Design and Build
The new BMW i3 takes a bold approach to electric saloon design. Whether its styling appeals will ultimately come down to personal taste, but there’s no question that BMW has created something very different from the previous generation 3 Series.
The design introduces the latest interpretation of BMW’s Neue Klasse styling language, sharing certain visual features with the iX3 while giving the saloon its own more streamlined identity.
At the front, the familiar kidney grille has been reimagined, featuring wider proportions and distinctive illuminated detailing. The lighting animations activate as the driver approaches, creating a more distinctive welcome experience.
Measuring approximately 4.76 metres in length, the new i3 is larger than the previous-generation 3 Series. Its long bonnet, athletic shoulders and short overhangs retain traditional BMW proportions, while the overall design incorporates more contemporary detailing.
Flush-fitting door handles, clean door surfaces and pronounced wheel arches give the car a modern appearance. Alloy wheels will be available in sizes up to 21 inches, while the rear features distinctive horizontal L-shaped LED lighting.
Aerodynamics have also played an important role in the design. With a drag coefficient of just 0.23Cd and a completely flat underbody, the i3 has been engineered to maximise efficiency and driving range.
Inside, BMW has taken an equally dramatic approach.
The cabin follows the Neue Klasse philosophy, with a minimalist layout dominated by the new Panoramic iDrive system. Rather than relying on a traditional instrument cluster, BMW introduces a 43.3-inch Panoramic Vision display that stretches across the base of the windscreen, keeping key driving information directly within the driver’s line of sight.
This is complemented by a head-up display and a central infotainment touchscreen running BMW’s latest Operating System X software.
The overall effect is modern and technology-focused, while the unusual steering wheel and redesigned dashboard create a distinctive driving environment.
Rear passenger space has also benefited from the new electric architecture. The flat floor provides additional legroom, while the longer body helps create a more spacious cabin than previous 3 Series models.
Practicality remains impressive, with a 420-litre boot at the rear and an additional 31-litre storage compartment beneath the bonnet for charging cables.
Market and Model
The new BMW i3 is expected to occupy the premium end of the electric saloon market, with prices starting at just over £50,000 for the entry-level single-motor version.
The twin-motor 50 xDrive is expected to start at approximately £53,000, while the initial First Edition model is priced around £58,000.
Most buyers are likely to gravitate towards M Sport specification, which adds BMW’s familiar sporty exterior styling and enhances the car’s overall appearance.
Standard equipment includes BMW Digital Key Plus, allowing the vehicle to recognise a compatible smartphone or smartwatch and automatically extend its flush-fitting door handles.
Inside, BMW has placed considerable emphasis on material quality and sustainability. The Econeer upholstery, for example, uses a recyclable textile composite manufactured entirely from recycled polyester.
The latest Operating System X infotainment technology incorporates BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, using large language model technology to make voice commands and interactions more natural.
There is also a substantial range of optional equipment available.
The Iconic Glow package enhances the illuminated kidney grille, offering different lighting animations, while an optional panoramic roof features climate comfort glass.
Other available upgrades include a 3D head-up display, a choice of solid, frozen and metallic paint finishes, and alloy wheels measuring up to 21 inches. One of the new colour options is M Le Castellet Blue.
Driver assistance technology is also well catered for. BMW’s Driving System Plus package incorporates features designed to manage speed, maintain distance from vehicles ahead and assist with lane positioning. The system can also recognise speed limits and adjust vehicle speed in anticipation of bends, roundabouts and junctions.
Cost of Ownership
One of the strongest selling points of the new BMW i3 is undoubtedly its impressive electric range.
The flagship 50 xDrive can travel up to 567 miles on a single charge, thanks to its substantial 108.7kWh battery and the efficiency improvements introduced with BMW’s sixth-generation electric technology.
BMW claims energy losses from its latest electric motors have been reduced by 40%, while motor weight has fallen by 10%. The new battery cells also offer 30% faster charging and 20% greater energy density compared with the previous generation.
Perhaps even more impressive is the introduction of an 800V electrical architecture, allowing the i3 to take advantage of ultra-rapid DC charging.
With compatible charging infrastructure, the car can accept charging speeds of up to 400kW. BMW claims that as much as 263 miles of driving range can be added in just 10 minutes under optimum conditions.
A typical 10-80% DC charging session is expected to take approximately 21 minutes.
Home charging remains straightforward too. Using a conventional 7.4kW single-phase home wallbox, a full charge is expected to take around 15 hours. An 11kW three-phase connection could reduce this to approximately 11 hours.
An optional 22kW AC charging capability is also available through the Charging Professional package.
Another significant development is bidirectional charging. This technology allows the vehicle to supply electricity to compatible external equipment or even provide power to a home at up to 11kW.
BMW has also introduced intelligent charging features designed to make longer journeys easier. The navigation system can automatically plan charging stops, prepare the battery ahead of arrival at rapid chargers and identify suitable charging locations along the route.
The intelligent charging flap and Plug & Charge functionality further simplify the process, allowing compatible charging stations to authenticate automatically without requiring separate payment apps or cards.
Sustainability has also been considered throughout the vehicle’s development. BMW has increased the use of recycled materials and redesigned components to make the car easier to dismantle and recycle at the end of its working life. The company claims these measures contribute to a 35% reduction in the vehicle’s supply-chain carbon footprint.
Summary
The new BMW i3 represents a significant moment for the German manufacturer. Bringing the familiar character of the 3 Series into the electric era was never going to be an easy task, but the Neue Klasse platform appears to have given BMW the technology needed to make that transition.
Its styling may divide opinion, and its premium pricing will inevitably put it beyond some buyers. However, the combination of impressive electric range, ultra-rapid charging, advanced technology and BMW’s traditional focus on driving dynamics makes a compelling proposition.
With up to 567 miles of claimed range, charging capabilities of up to 400kW and a completely new approach to cabin technology, the i3 has the potential to redefine expectations in the premium electric saloon market.
BMW has always regarded the 3 Series as one of its most important models. This electric successor has an equally important job: demonstrating that the future of BMW can be every bit as exciting as its past.
For anyone considering a move into premium electric motoring, the new BMW i3 is certainly one to watch.