[RahulNagaraj]

BMW has been working on an all-electric version of its 3 Series sedan for a while now. Ahead of its market arrival, the all-new all-electric BMW 3 Series sedan, expected to be called the 'i3', has been spied testing on the road for the first time.



The new BMW i3 electric sedan will be the second model to be based on the brand's latest Neue Klasse Modular EV platform, the first being the iX3 SUV. The sedan was previewed last year via the Neue Klasse concept, introducing a brand new design language, dramatically different from BMW's current model lineup. The spy images of the upcoming BMW i3 showcase what seems to be a more production-ready version. It features a new kidney grille design with the radars and cameras for ADAS in the centre & flanked on either side by LED headlights. The rear could feature wrap-around LED tail lights and a more traditional bumper.



Although camouflaged, the electric 3 Series does seem to feature BMW's signature Hofmeister kink on the C-pillar and a full-length panoramic sunroof. There are no images of the interiors of the upcoming electric BMW 3 Series, although the sedan is expected to get a tech-heavy cabin with a minimalistic design.



BMW is yet to reveal the specifications of the electric powertrain on the all-electric 3 Series. The German carmaker has already confirmed that the electric 3 Series will be sold alongside its ICE-powered counterpart.

Once launched, the electric BMW 3 Series will take on the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and the electric Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Source: Autocar

[PreludeSH]

Is the car shorter in length compared to ICE 3 series ? The bonnet sure looks shorter atleast in these pics. With no engine and lot less components it could change in terms of design of that part ?

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by PreludeSH

Is the car shorter in length compared to ICE 3 series ? The bonnet sure looks shorter atleast in these pics. With no engine and lot less components it could change in terms of design of that part ?

Not sure about dimension, but the elegant dash to axle ratio of the 3 series is gone for sure.

[Quicksilver85]

I am still unable to comprehend why the luxury OEMs are milking money out of the EVs. In an ideal scenario they should be able to price the EV models lower than the ICE models given that same/similar battery components & motors are employed in non-luxury brands from China or elsewhere. They should able to price them much more lower is my only point.

Also, what will be the differentiator between multiple luxury brands in the future? I presume nothing. Currently, engine technologies, transmission, reliability, driving dynamics were a major draw. With everyone using similar sized battery packs and motors to drive them, the differentiating factors should be narrower.

[volkman10]

The new BMW i3, which will soon start testing in northern Sweden, will debut in late spring 2026 and will go on sale later that year, as a 2027 model. The second will be based on the Neue Klasse platform, starting from the most basic version with 300 hp and a new generation battery that will offer 1,000 kilometers on a single charge, with an 800V electrical system.

It will not have a frunk.







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[volkman10]

BMW 3 Series ICE variant spied:

But as already mentioned at the beginning, the 3 Series successor will also receive combustion engines, if only because of the important fleet business. Here we expect a somewhat thinned out range with 48V technology, the 5 series should provide the blueprint. That means: 320 (190 hp), 320d (197 hp), 340d (286 hp), 330e (299 hp).

The extent to which six- and eight-cylinder engines will fit under the hood remains uncertain, as does a Neue Klasse station wagon that has not yet been spotted as a prototype.

BMW says: "Production of the Neue Klasse will start at the Munich plant from 2026, initially parallel to the production of the current models. Just over a year later, the BMW Group's main plant will be the first existing and then correspondingly transformed site in the global production network to produce exclusively all-electric vehicles from the end of 2027.


Link:

[Shivacharanpate]

First the BMW ruined the elegant and sporty 5 series with a bulbous one and now they are doing the same for 3 series! It just looks like a smaller and hideous 5 series! If the fear comes true, they would lose a lot of market share as 3 series sells more than 5 series all over the world especially UK. There are already lots of offers on the new 5 series within the first year of launch. (i5 has more offers than the ICE ones)