BMW i3 2026: 900 km WLTP Range for First Electric 3 Series

BMW has just unveiled its 2026 i3, the first all-electric 3 Series in the brand's history. Based on the 800-volt Neue Klasse platform, this 4.76 m sedan claims up to 900 km of WLTP range and 469 hp for the i3 50 xDrive variant. Production in Munich is scheduled to start in August 2026, with first deliveries expected in the fall.

"With fast charging, it is possible to recover up to 400 km of range in ten minutes." — BMW, official i3 50 xDrive technical sheet

A 3 Series That Changes Its Skin, Not Its DNA

The BMW i3 2026 has nothing to do with the old i3, that small carbon-bodied city car that ended its career in 2022. Here, we're talking about a true D-segment sedan, the direct heir to the combustion 3 Series. At 4.76 m long, 1.86 m wide, and 1.48 m tall with a wheelbase of 2.90 m, it exceeds the current 3 Series by five centimeters in length. The Tesla Model 3 and the Mercedes CLA both sit at 4.72 m — the i3 is slightly larger than its two most direct rivals.

BMW claims a "two-and-a-half-box" silhouette, halfway between a three-box sedan and a coupé. Anders Thøgersen, head of Neue Klasse exteriors, summarizes the philosophy as: "You shouldn't see an aerodynamic shape, you should see a BMW." The result: a flat roof, a sloping rear window, and a well-defined trunk at the rear — unlike the plunging roofline of the Model 3. At the front, the large vertical kidney grilles of the iX3 give way to a more discreet horizontal signature. An option called Iconic Glow adds light animations to the front for those who want a bit more presence. Eleven colors at launch, including an exclusive M Le Castellet Blau.

900 km of Range: The Real-World Conditions

900 km WLTP. That's the figure BMW is promoting, and it is indeed higher than any Tesla currently available (the Model S tops out at around 680 km WLTP, the Model 3 Long Range at around 629 km). On paper, it's the longest range of any electric sedan sold today.

Reality, however, always adds nuance. The WLTP cycle systematically overestimates real-world range, especially at highway speeds in winter. At 130 km/h on the motorway with 5°C outside, expect more like 550 to 650 km depending on conditions — which is still very decent, but less glorious than the advertised 900. BMW has not yet communicated the exact battery capacity, but the 800-volt Neue Klasse platform uses sixth-generation cylindrical cells assembled in a cell-to-pack configuration, meaning they are integrated directly into the pack without intermediate modules. The battery also serves as a structural floor, which lightens the whole vehicle and lowers the center of gravity.

Charging 400 km in 10 Minutes: What It Really Requires

The 400 kW charging capability is the i3's other major selling point. Recovering 400 km of range in ten minutes, that's