BMW has revealed the new 3 Series with the electric i3 50 xDrive leading the technical changes. The dual electric motor sedan puts out 469 hp and 645 Nm, and reaches 100 kmph from zero in 4.7 seconds and carries a 108.7 kWh battery. Maximum WLTP range stands at 912 km and its 800V electrical system supports DC charging at up to 400 kW. The brand says a quick top up of 10 minutes can add as much as 423 km of WLTP range.
The eighth generation BMW 3 Series comprises electric, petrol, 48V mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The German auto major has introduced the electric range with two i3 variants and petrol derivatives will sit alongside them. A plug-in hybrid will join during 2027. The electric i3 is also the first 3 Series based on BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture which gets sixth-gen eDrive hardware, cylindrical battery cells and bidirectional charging.
The second electric version is the i3 40 xDrive. Output stands at 374 hp and an 82.8 kWh battery gives it up to 710 km of WLTP range. Both versions get an electric motor on each axle. BMW will add an i3 M60 xDrive next year. On the inside, BMW Panoramic iDrive reshapes the driver interface with an optional 3D head-up display, a 17.9-inch central screen and a redesigned multifunction steering wheel.
| Specification | BMW i3 40 xDrive | BMW i3 50 xDrive | BMW M350 xDrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Dual-motor electric | Dual-motor electric | 3.0-litre inline-six petrol + 48V mild hybrid |
| Drive | AWD | AWD | xDrive AWD |
| Power | 275 kW / 374 hp | 345 kW / 469 hp | 326 kW / 443 hp |
| Torque | – | 645 Nm | – |
| Battery | 82.8 kWh | 108.7 kWh | – |
| Electrical architecture | 800V | 800V | 48V mild hybrid |
| WLTP range | Up to 710 km | Up to 912 km | – |
| DC charging | – | Up to 400 kW | – |
| Range added in 10 min | – | Up to 423 km | – |
| 0-100 kmph | – | 4.7 sec | 4.1 sec |
| Top speed | – | Not stated in source | 250 kmph |
| Motors | One front + one rear | One front + one rear | – |
| Bidirectional charging | Yes | Yes | – |
| eDrive generation | Gen6 | Gen6 | – |
| Production plant | Munich | Munich | Dingolfing |
Operating System X sits on an Android Open Source Project base and supports touch, physical inputs and voice control. The Amazon Alexa+ suite expands the Intelligent Personal Assistant and options include multifunction seats, M Sport seats, rear-seat heating and Harman Kardon audio. The exterior features BMW’s new design language with a longer wheelbase, short overhangs, flush door handles and heavily flared wheel arches.
The kidney grille and twin headlamps sit within one visual element and M derivatives gain yellow lighting inspired by racing cars. The electric i3 versions offer 19- to 21-inch wheels, and petrol models get 18- to 20-inch wheel options. The petrol range is headed by the M350 xDrive which gets a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 48V mild hybrid assistance for improved fuel economy.
Motorway Assistant supports hands-free driving at up to 130 kmph in eligible markets. It has been confirmed that the production of the electric i3 will take place at Plant Munich with petrol 3 Series models built at Dingolfing and high voltage batteries supplied from Irlbach-Straßkirchen. Considering the popularity of the 3 Series, we can expect the new-gen to arrive sometime next year in ICE and electric forms.
