2026 BMW i3 full electric 3 Series sedan to be revealed on 18 March

BMW will introduce one of its most important models of the year in just under two weeks — the full electric version of the next-generation 3 Series sedan. The full reveal of the BMW i3 sedan is now set for 18 March.

While the new sedan shares the same nameplate as the German car maker’s quirky electric city car from the early 2010s, the new i3 will offer our first glimpse of a new generation of BMW sedans and will be the second Neue Klasse EV, following the iX3 SUV. Teased by a series of concepts and heavily camouflaged prototypes in recent months, the i3 now represents BMW’s answer to the best-selling Tesla Model 3.

Visually, the i3 sedan will be a complete departure from the current G20-generation 3 Series, with a sharp, angled design that nods to BMW models of the 1970s and 80s. A new preview image confirms the sedan will feature an illuminated ‘kidney’ grille and diagonal daytime running lights that appear set to become a signature of Neue Klasse models.

The i3 also marks the first time BMW has offered a fully electric 3 Series sedan, a model line that remains the cornerstone of the brand. BMW has offered a plug-in hybrid 3 Series and the similarly sized i4 electric four-door since 2021, but chose to wait until its latest EV architecture and battery technology were ready before launching a battery-electric 3 Series.

Given the importance of driving dynamics to BMW — and especially the 3 Series — engineers have placed major emphasis on ensuring the i3 delivers comparable ride and handling to its petrol and diesel counterparts. BMW says the new i3 can be controlled with “maximum precision” and “responds instantly to steering inputs”, thanks to the company’s in-house Dynamic Performance Control software.

The i3 will be built on the same platform as the iX3 SUV, revealed in 2025. The launch model is expected to be the i3 50 xDrive, mirroring the iX3’s powertrain. The platform uses BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive 800-volt architecture, capable of charging at up to 400kW. Output for the dual-motor system is expected to be around 345kW and 645Nm.

BMW claims the iX3 can deliver a WLTP range of around 800km, so the more aerodynamic i3 sedan is expected to exceed that figure.

After launch, the i3 is also expected to spawn multiple variants, potentially including the brand’s first fully electric M3.

The new electric sedan will be one of 40 new or updated BMW models planned for release by the end of 2027, many of which will adopt the Neue Klasse design language with slimmer grilles inspired by BMW models of the 1970s.