BMW i3 Launches on Neue Klasse Platform With 912 km Range

The all-new BMW i3 has launched as the first BMW 3 Series model based on the Neue Klasse platform, with two fully electric versions available initially. Gasoline and 48V mild-hybrid models will follow, while a plug-in hybrid is planned for next year. The electric sedan is built at Germany, where production is being prepared for an expanded Neue Klasse focus. From 2027, Munich will produce only fully electric Neue Klasse models, while combustion-engine 3 Series models will move to Dingolfing. The launch therefore marks a major production transition for BMW’s core 3 Series range.

The new electric sedan is supported by a wider German and Austrian manufacturing network. The Munich and Dingolfing plants are receiving production investment, while BMW’s Austria plant will manufacture key electric-drive and combustion-engine components. High-voltage batteries will be supplied from the new Irlbach-Straßkirchen plant in Bavaria. BMW is investing about EUR 2 billion in vehicle and battery production in Germany for the new 3 Series, with roughly EUR 1 billion allocated to Munich and Dingolfing and another EUR 1 billion directed toward the Irlbach-Straßkirchen battery facility.

The electric versions use BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, combining new cylindrical-cell batteries, efficient electric motors, 800V electrical architecture, and bidirectional charging. Both launch variants use one electric motor on the front axle and another on the rear axle. The BMW i3 50 xDrive produces 469 hp and 645 Nm of torque, accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, and uses a 108.7 kWh battery. Its maximum range reaches 912 km, while DC charging at up to 400 kW can add as much as 423 km of range in 10 minutes at a fast-charging station.

The second electric configuration provides 374 hp and 520 Nm of torque. It uses an 82.8 kWh battery and offers a maximum range of up to 710 km. BMW also plans a more powerful M60 xDrive M Performance model for 2027, extending the electric lineup beyond the two launch versions. The broader powertrain strategy remains mixed during the transition, because the 3 Series range will also include gasoline and 48V mild-hybrid models, followed by a plug-in hybrid version next year.

The flagship combustion-engine model is the gasoline-powered M350 xDrive, which uses a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology. It generates 443 hp, accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h. Two four-cylinder gasoline models will also be offered at launch, and all gasoline engines use BMW’s latest TwinPower Turbo technology. This lineup keeps conventional powertrains available alongside the new electric models while the Neue Klasse architecture expands across the 3 Series family.

The exterior adopts a modern 2.5-box design with a longer wheelbase and short overhangs. At the front, BMW introduces its new signature kidney grille and twin headlights that visually come together as one unit, while horizontal rear lights define the back of the car. Inside, the sedan receives the new BMW Panoramic iDrive system, including BMW Panoramic Vision, a 3D Head-Up Display, a 17.9-inch central display, and a multifunction steering wheel. The cabin also features a redesigned steering wheel with a central upper spoke and a large panoramic sunroof.

Driver assistance technology is also being expanded on the new 3 Series. The model receives upgraded SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance features, while BMW plans additional systems from 2027 that will enable partially automated, navigation-guided driving in urban areas. This progression adds a software and automated-driving dimension to the Neue Klasse rollout alongside the vehicle’s new electrical architecture, battery technology, and cockpit system. The combination extends the 3 Series technology package as BMW moves its core sedan range toward a broader mix of electric, hybrid, and combustion powertrains.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The Neue Klasse-based 3 Series strategy gives BMW a common framework for introducing higher-voltage electrical systems, new battery technology, updated software, and advanced driver assistance while retaining multiple propulsion choices during the transition. The manufacturing investments in Munich, Dingolfing, Steyr, and Irlbach-Straßkirchen also connect vehicle assembly with component and battery production. For the European production footprint, the shift means Munich will increasingly specialize in fully electric Neue Klasse vehicles from 2027, while combustion-engine 3 Series production will be concentrated at Dingolfing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What range does the 50 xDrive version provide?
The 50 xDrive version provides a maximum range of up to 912 km using a 108.7 kWh battery, while its dual-motor setup produces 469 hp and 645 Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and supports DC charging at rates of up to 400 kW. Under the stated fast-charging conditions, the vehicle can add as much as 423 km of range in 10 minutes. These specifications apply to the higher-output electric version introduced with the initial lineup.

What production changes are planned from 2027?
From 2027, the Munich plant is planned to produce only fully electric Neue Klasse models, while combustion-engine 3 Series models will be built at Dingolfing. BMW is also integrating component and battery production into the broader manufacturing strategy, with Steyr producing key electric-drive and combustion-engine components and Irlbach-Straßkirchen supplying high-voltage batteries. The company is investing about EUR 2 billion in vehicle and battery production in Germany to prepare its manufacturing network for the new 3 Series and its expanding mix of propulsion technologies.