BMW i3 Debuts on Neue Klasse Platform With 912 km Range

BMW i3 Debuts as First Neue Klasse 3 Series Model

On September 30, BMW unveiled the new fully electric BMW i3, marking the first BMW 3 Series model based on the Neue Klasse platform. The launch includes two electric versions, while gasoline and 48V mild-hybrid models will follow as part of the wider 3 Series range. A plug-in hybrid is planned to join the lineup next year. The new model introduces BMW’s latest electric technology while maintaining the 3 Series nameplate across multiple propulsion systems. This approach gives BMW a common product family spanning battery-electric, gasoline, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains as the company expands its next-generation vehicle architecture.

BMW Reorganizes German Production for Neue Klasse

The new electric 3 Series is built at BMW’s Munich plant in Germany, which is scheduled to produce only fully electric Neue Klasse models from 2027. Combustion-engine 3 Series models will instead be built at the Dingolfing plant, also in Germany. BMW Steyr in Austria will manufacture key electric-drive and combustion-engine components, while high-voltage batteries will come from the new Irlbach-Straßkirchen plant in Bavaria. The production arrangement separates electric and combustion-engine manufacturing while creating dedicated supply sources for major propulsion and battery components used by the next-generation 3 Series lineup.

BMW Commits EUR 2 Billion to Vehicle and Battery Production

BMW is investing around EUR 2 billion in vehicle and battery production in Germany to prepare its manufacturing network for the next-generation 3 Series. Around EUR 1 billion is being invested across the Munich and Dingolfing plants, while another EUR 1 billion is allocated to the new Irlbach-Straßkirchen battery facility in Bavaria. The investment supports the transition toward Neue Klasse production and expands domestic battery manufacturing capacity. It also links vehicle assembly, propulsion-component production, and battery supply across BMW’s German industrial network, with different plants assigned to specific manufacturing responsibilities as the 3 Series moves into its next generation.

Sixth-Generation eDrive Brings 800V Charging

The electric 3 Series uses BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, combining new cylindrical-cell batteries, efficient electric motors, 800V electrical architecture, and bidirectional charging. Both electric launch versions use one electric motor on the front axle and another on the rear axle, providing all-wheel drive through a dual-motor configuration. The technology package is designed around higher-voltage charging and improved energy efficiency while supporting new battery and propulsion components. Bidirectional charging also expands the vehicle’s electrical functionality beyond conventional energy storage, allowing the system to support compatible energy-flow applications as BMW introduces the Neue Klasse architecture across its electric vehicle range.

BMW i3 50 xDrive Offers Up to 912 km of Range

The BMW i3 50 xDrive is the higher-output electric launch version, generating 469 hp and 645 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and uses a 108.7 kWh battery that provides up to 912 km of range. Its DC charging system supports speeds of up to 400 kW, allowing the vehicle to add up to 423 km of range in 10 minutes at a fast-charging station. The second launch version, the BMW i3 40 xDrive, produces 374 hp and uses an 82.8 kWh battery, with a maximum range of up to 710 km. A more powerful BMW i3 M60 xDrive M Performance model is planned for 2027.

Gasoline and Mild-Hybrid Models Expand the 3 Series Range

The gasoline-powered BMW M350 xDrive will serve as the flagship combustion-engine model in the new 3 Series range. It uses a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology, producing 443 hp and accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. Its top speed is 250 km/h. Two four-cylinder gasoline models will also be available at launch, and all gasoline engines use BMW’s latest TwinPower Turbo technology. The broader lineup therefore retains combustion-engine choices alongside the electric models, while the planned plug-in hybrid will add another propulsion option next year and further extend the range of powertrain configurations.

New Design Introduces Panoramic iDrive Interior

The new 3 Series adopts a modern 2.5-box exterior design with a longer wheelbase and short overhangs. At the front, BMW’s new signature kidney grille is paired with twin headlights that come together as one visual unit, while horizontal rear lights define the back of the vehicle. Inside, the model introduces the new BMW Panoramic iDrive system, incorporating BMW Panoramic Vision, a 3D Head-Up Display, a 17.9-inch central display, and a multifunction steering wheel. The redesigned steering wheel features a central upper spoke, while a large panoramic sunroof adds to the cabin’s open interior layout and complements the new digital-focused interface.

Level 2 ADAS Expansion Planned From 2027

The new 3 Series receives upgraded SAE Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems, expanding its driver-support capabilities within the next-generation platform. BMW also plans to introduce new systems from 2027 that will enable partially automated, navigation-guided driving in urban areas. These capabilities build on the vehicle’s broader technology architecture and extend automation beyond existing assistance functions. The planned urban driving features will remain within the stated partially automated framework, rather than representing fully autonomous driving. Their introduction will therefore add another software- and assistance-focused element to the Neue Klasse 3 Series as BMW continues developing its next-generation vehicle systems.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The launch connects BMW’s electric vehicle strategy with a major restructuring of its German production network, making the Neue Klasse platform central to future 3 Series manufacturing while preserving combustion-engine and hybrid choices during the transition. The EUR 2 billion investment also strengthens the integration of vehicle assembly and battery production in Germany, while the Munich plant’s planned shift to fully electric Neue Klasse models from 2027 gives the platform a defined manufacturing pathway. The next significant developments include the broader rollout of Neue Klasse production, the planned BMW M60 xDrive electric performance model, additional propulsion variants, and the introduction of navigation-guided urban assistance systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new BMW i3?
The new BMW i3 is the first BMW 3 Series model based on the Neue Klasse platform and is launching with two fully electric versions. The higher-output version produces 469 hp and offers up to 912 km of range from a 108.7 kWh battery. It also supports 800V technology, DC charging at up to 400 kW, and bidirectional charging. The lineup will later expand with gasoline, 48V mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models, creating a broader 3 Series range built around the next-generation architecture.