by A New Stage in BMW’s Electrification
The next step in BMW’s electric transformation is becoming clearer as the new i3 approaches the market. It combines technologies closely linked to the second-generation iX3, but now in a sedan format. Since pre-series production has already begun and official images of the camouflaged prototype have been released, new renderings have started to fill in the remaining gaps in understanding the design.
Key features of the future model include:
The new i3 and 3 Series demonstrate the most striking separation in BMW’s history.
Concept-Inspired Design
Much of the i3’s design will be inspired by the Vision Neue Klasse concept presented in 2023. However, unlike the upcoming Vision Neue Klasse X, which looks almost identical to the new iX3, BMW seems to have toned down some of the most dramatic elements of the sedan concept, so the production model should look better.
While the concept had large illuminated kidney grilles merging with LED headlights, recent spy shots and renderings indicate that the production model may receive smaller and thinner units, more suitable for a sedan of this size.
Modern Exterior Solutions
Renderings created by Nikita Chuiko for Kolesa also show the new electric sedan with a sharper lower front bumper section and glossy black accents. On the sides, it noticeably differs from the current 3 Series with separate shoulder lines and flush door handles, giving the body a cleaner and more modern look.
Some uncertainty still surrounds the design of the rear lights. Recent prototypes suggest they will be much smaller than on the Vision Neue Klasse concept, and in these renderings, they resemble scaled-down versions of the old units from the 2 Series Gran Coupe.
Updated Interior
Inside, the changes may seem even more dramatic than outside. Anyone switching from the current 3 Series should be prepared for a clear break with the more traditional cockpit that BMW has been refining for years. However, if you are switching from an iX3, none of this will seem particularly shocking. The i3, along with the next internal combustion engine 3 Series, will mirror BMW’s first production Neue Klasse model, down to the dashboard layout.
At the forefront will be BMW’s new ‘Panoramic iDrive’ concept, combined with the brand’s latest software. The conventional instrument cluster will disappear, replaced by key information projected onto the base of the windshield, while a large touchscreen will be located on the center console.
The BMW iX3 has a 360-degree camera, but you’ll have to pay monthly to use it.
Shared Technical Foundation
Under the surface, the i3 is based on the same Neue Klasse electric vehicle platform as the new iX3. For those fearing it might completely replace the 3 Series, there is no misunderstanding. The internal combustion engine 3 Series is being updated separately, continuing to exist on an updated version of BMW’s CLAR architecture.
The i3 is expected to debut with BMW’s sixth-generation electric motors and battery technology, along with an 800-volt electrical system shared with the iX3. Initial reports suggest that one of the first variants will be the i3 50 xDrive, potentially with around 463 hp, bringing it close to today’s BMW M3. A less powerful rear-wheel-drive model is also planned, and alongside it, a flagship electric iM3 with four motors.
This high-performance version is reportedly capable of up to 1000 hp and may even have a synthesized V10-style sound accompaniment.
The emergence of the new i3 marks a strategic balance between innovation and heritage for BMW. The company is not just adding an electric version to its most successful lineup but creating a parallel product with its own identity, technological base, and design language. This allows it to satisfy both traditional brand enthusiasts and a new wave of future-oriented buyers. The success of this approach could become a template for other premium manufacturers facing the choice between a radical transition and evolutionary development.
