2026 BMW i3: 900 km Range Electric Sedan Sets New European Record

BMW has unveiled its new electric i3, a 100% electric sedan based on the Neue Klasse platform that promises up to 900 km of range. The second model of this new generation after the iX3, this i3 targets the European premium segment with 469 hp and ultra-fast charging. It will go on sale from autumn 2026 starting at €70,000.

"With 900 km of range, we are offering the European record for an electric sedan, the equivalent of a full tank in a modern diesel" — Oliver Zipse, CEO BMW

A Technical Spec Sheet That Packs a Punch

The new BMW i3 is banking on high-level performance to win people over. Its launch version, the i3 50 xDrive, packs two electric motors, one on each axle, for a combined output of 345 kW (469 hp) and 645 Nm of torque. The rear axle, the primary drive, uses an 800-volt architecture with an electrically excited synchronous machine.

This setup promises brisk acceleration, likely slightly better than the iX3's 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The top speed should also exceed the SUV's 210 km/h. The exact weight hasn't been disclosed, but it will likely exceed 2 tonnes given the battery pack.

900 Kilometres of Range: A European Record

The real ace up the sleeve of this BMW i3 is its exceptional range. Thanks to its 108.7 kWh battery, it can travel up to 900 km according to the WLTP cycle. A figure that makes it the European electric sedan with the greatest range on the market, even beating some modern diesel models.

This range comes with ultra-fast charging. With DC charging, the 800-volt technology allows you to recover 400 km of range in just ten minutes. The 10-80% charging time is estimated at around 20 minutes. For home charging, a 22 kW AC option will be available. The charging flap opens automatically when the car detects a compatible charging point.

Neue Klasse Design and Balanced Proportions

Visually, this BMW i3 adopts the stylistic language of the Neue Klasse while retaining the DNA of the 3 Series. Its dimensions remain reasonable: 4.76 m long, 1.86 m wide and 1.48 m high, with a wheelbase of 2.90 m. These balanced proportions preserve the historic agility of Bavarian sedans.

The front end reinterprets BMW's design codes with a closed and inclined grille, a nod to models from the 60s. The iconic BMW "kidneys" are stretched horizontally and materialised by a light signature on high-end versions. On entry-level trims, this animation will be replaced by fixed LED outlines.

An Interior Redesigned for Electric

The interior benefits from a design conceived from the ground up for electric, offering more space than a combustion-engine 3 Series. The driver's station follows the layout of the BMW iX3, notably with the large 17.9-inch touchscreen that centralises all controls.

As with the SUV, the sedan adopts Panoramic iDrive, a large 4K screen that runs across the entire width of the windscreen. This interface replaces the classic instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. The "Heart of Joy" software architecture controls the vehicle's dynamic functions and claims to be ten times more responsive than previous systems.

At What Price and When?

The BMW i3 will go on sale from autumn 2026 starting at €70,000 according to initial estimates. This pricing positions it against the Tesla Model 3 Performance and in anticipation of the future electric Mercedes C-Class.

Production will begin in early August at the historic Munich plant, modernised to become exclusively electric from 2027. BMW also plans an i3 Touring estate from 2027, which will have a clear run against the competition since Mercedes will not offer this body style on its electric C-Class.