Exterior

Think of the BMW i3, and until now you’ll be thinking of BMW’s forward-looking small car, which was built around a carbon monocoque (at huge expense!), and with up to 42.2kWh of battery, offered a modest range of up to 193 miles. 

Don’t confuse that i3 with this one, as the new car is the next chapter in BMW’s Neuer Klasse EV reinvention of the brand. First previewed back in 2023, as the BMW Vision Neuer Klasse concept, the production car remains remarkably faithful to the concept. Highlights include the 2.5-box silhouette, with short overhangs, and precise lines, with the sloping roofline. 

The biggest change in our opinion is at the front, as the recently launched iX3, with the prominent, but sporty kidney grilles in a shark-nose design, around which is a flush panel, finished in black, which is home to the headlights and sensors. Other changes are the retractable door handles, pronounced wheel arches, and the sweeping horizontal taillights, with their L-shaped design. 

Overall, despite initial worries when we saw the concept three years ago, like the iX3, in the metal, the i3 is a handsome car. To personalise this car, BMW will be offering eleven exterior paint finishes for the i3 from launch, including new M Le Catellet Blue - which is exclusive to this new BMW. 

Interior

Inside, just like the iX3, the i3’s dash is slim and horizontal in its design, dominated by the 18in trapezoidal display in the centre, and the ‘Panoramic Vision’ display, that almost runs the full length of the dashboard above. Although, we felt that the i3’s saloon car shape gives this interior a greater sense of space. 

Other than the displays, drivers won’t miss the unusual steering wheel designs, debuted on the iX3, and also fitted to i3 models. Elsewhere, stylish and sustainable materials are used for the upholstery, including Econeer seat covers, made from 100 per cent recycled polyester. More i3 interior customisation can be made via the choice of different trim levels, which will include the most popular for fleet: M Sport.

Powertrains

Just the one i3 model, the 50 xDrive, will be available at launch later this year. The 50 xDrive features BMW Group’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, which comprises highly efficient electric motors, new high-voltage batteries with cylindrical cells, and 800-volt charging technology. 

As a result, like the iX3 before it, the i3 sets new benchmarks in efficiency and long-distance capability. With BMW claiming a range of up to 560 miles. Then, when charging is needed, a maximum charging rate of 400 kW enables drivers to add up to 249 miles of range to this BMW EV in just 10 minutes, at an 800V direct current (DC) rapid charging station.

Holding all this technology together is a new digital nervous system, developed from scratch for all BMW Group drive system variants. It comprises four “superbrain” high-performance computers at its core, which cover driving dynamics, automated driving, infotainment, and basic comfort functions, such as vehicle access, climate control, and seat adjustment.

Dubbed the “Heart of Joy” superbrain, BMW says it elevates the entire driving experience. It combines with the BMW Dynamic Performance Control software stack – developed completely in-house – computing all driving functions up to 10 times faster than conventional control units.

Technology

The i3’s dash is slim and horizontal in its design, but dominated by the 18in trapezoidal display in the centre. Then, there’s the ‘Panoramic Vision’ display, that almost runs the full length of the dashboard above. Having tried these in the iX3, we found them surprisingly intuitive and easy to get on with, although the ‘Panoramic Vision’ display does render the head-up display largely useless. 

Equipment 

Full UK specification details have not been released, but the i3 will be available in M Sport trim— a previous fleet favourite. 

Safety

Full safety equipment details haven’t been released, but BMW have told us the i3 is fitted with Level 2 driver assistance systems. These have apparently been designed for seamless interaction between assistance and driving inputs.

Cost

Official UK pricing for the BMW i3 hasn’t been released, but prices are expected to start at around £50,000 when it is launched this autumn.