BMW i3 Neue Klasse
BMW's new 2026 i3 debuts on the Neue Klasse EV architecture with a headline 900 km (560 mile) range and an AI‑powered driver interface — a clear push at long‑range EV buyers (enlightexchange.com). BMW also claims ultra‑fast charging that can regain roughly 400 km of range in about 10 minutes, and a Touring (station‑wagon) i3 is confirmed for 2027 to bring the platform to family buyers ( ).
The launch model is badged i3 50 xDrive and uses dual electric motors that produce a combined 345 kW (469 hp) and 645 Nm of torque. (press.bmwgroup.com) BMW says the car is built around its sixth‑generation eDrive and an 800‑volt electrical architecture designed for higher efficiency and sustained high‑power operation. (iaa-mobility.com) Early reporting cites a battery pack in the order of 100.8 kWh, and BMW’s materials describe a cell‑to‑pack approach using cylindrical Gen6 cells to raise pack energy density. (forbes.com) (evxl.co) BMW has already begun pre‑series assembly at its Munich (Milbertshofen) plant as part of final launch preparations, and the company schedules series production to start in the second half of 2026 with European customer deliveries planned for autumn 2026. (press.bmwgroup.com) (autotech.news) The interior debuts BMW’s Panoramic iDrive, a new display/operation concept that projects information onto a coated lower windscreen and includes a 17.9‑inch Free‑Cut central display plus an optional 3D head‑up display. (bmwgroup.com) A new high‑performance control unit called “Heart of Joy” sits at the centre of the car’s electronics, forming part of a “superbrain” architecture BMW says will run control tasks up to ten times faster and is paired with a system BMW calls Symbiotic Drive for assisted‑driving functions. (iaa-mobility.com) (press.bmwgroup.com) The i3 will support bidirectional functions including Vehicle‑to‑Load and Vehicle‑to‑Home/Grid modes, with V2L capability listed in early briefings and BMW describing optional AC charging packages to enable export functions. (evxl.co) (iaa-mobility.com)
