All-new BMW i3 is your first look at next-generation “Neue Klasse” 3 Series
Retro aesthetics meet high-tech EV future in all-new BMW i3
If there's one BMW that has been hotly anticipated since the first spy photos were released, it's probably the all-new BMW 3 Series. Not only has it been spotted by our spies on several occasions since last year, but BMW even released its own camouflaged “spy” photos to whet the appetite of enthusiasts who have been waiting on the G20/G21 model's replacement.
Well, the wait is officially over. Say hello to the all-new BMW i3, your first look at the eighth-generation 3 Series. Yes, it borrows the i3 badge from years before, but the latest i3 is BMW's newest electric sedan and features the brand's “Neue Klasse” design.
Like the all-new iX3 that was revealed last year, the BMW i3 shares a similar retro-inspired design, albeit made to suit the sporty aesthetics of a sedan. The all-new i3 features the hallmarks of a sporty BMW – assured, dynamic, and intelligent. The new 2.5-box design gives the vehicle its unmistakable profile that's complemented by muscular proportions on the front & rear quarter panels.
Perhaps serving as the main centerpiece of the all-new BMW i3 is its new face. It gets a new pair of LED daytime running lights, bold LED headlights, and the dynamic LED lighting signatures that mimic the new dual kidney grille. Meanwhile, the i3 has a tall and sharp-looking rear deck, which somehow reminds us of the E36 generation of the 3 Series. It has rectangular LED taillights, a sporty rear bumper, and a distinct beltline that seamlessly joins the rear doors.
Size-wise, the all-new i3 measures 4760mm long, 1864mm wide, 1481mm tall, and has a 2898mm wheelbase. This makes the new i3 47mm longer, 37mm wider, 36mm taller, and has a longer 47mm wheelbase. This gives the BMW i3 the illusion of a shorter body, but it's marginally bigger than the G20/G21 3 Series model.
Open the doors, and the all-new i3 welcomes occupants into an iX3-like cabin. The result is a concept-inspired interior that's both inviting and tech-laden. The wraparound dashboard with LED ambient lighting makes for a cozy cabin, while the Panoramic iDrive makes for a wide instrument display.
Sitting front and center is a huge 17.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display that manages most of the vehicle's in-car functions & features. There's also a heads-up display to help drivers focus more on the road, along with widgets that act as shortcuts to sub-menus on the touchscreen.
For now, only one variant is being offered for the all-new iX3, the 50 xDrive. This one comes with a pair of electric motors, which deliver a combined 469 PS and 645 Nm of torque. The sixth-generation eDrive system also benefits from an 800V architecture, a new cell-to-pack design that allows for higher energy density and a flatter high-voltage battery, and faster AC & DC recharging.
Speaking of battery, BMW claims the all-new i3 is capable of traveling up to 900 km on a full charge based on the WLTP cycle, beating the likes of Tesla in sheer range. Its DC charging is capable of supporting up to 400 kW, which can give the i3 a range of up to 400 km after a 10-minute recharge. More importantly, the i3 also comes with vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, which can power homes, appliances, or send energy back to the grid.
In the future, we can expect a single electric motor version of the i3 to be revealed, as well as an M Performance version that will dole out supercar-like performance. Heck, we might even see an i3 Touring model in the not-so-distant future. The only question now is, when will we see BMW reveal the combustion engine versions of the all-new eighth-generation 3 Series?
