As all fans of this German brand will know, the BMW 3 Series is the very essence of the BMW legend and has, for five decades, stood for automotive progress, distinctive design and sheer driving pleasure that BMW’s deliver. This new all-electric vehicle (EV) is the second model of the ‘Neue Klasse’ from the premium German car maker that builds upon this new design phase while taking a technological quantum leap forward into a new era of electrified travel.
Raising the benchmark for all-electric range, the new BMW i3 is capable of covering of up to 560 miles (900km in accordance with the EV test cycle), on a single charge thanks to the innovations found in the ‘Neue Klasse’. Simultaneously, these technologies are harnessed to further elevate the class-leading driving dynamics that the BMW 3 Series has always been renowned for.
The Premium Exterior
Following on from the BMW iX3 (that we introduced a while back), the new BMW i3 is the second model of the ‘Neue Klasse’ to celebrate its premiere. Built on precise lines and with striking surfaces the car oozes a clear, reductive external appearance. In line with BMW's new design language, it embodies a contemporary take on the distinctive design elements synonymous with the BMW brand. The BMW i3 combines future-oriented dynamics with the crucial hallmark proportions of a sporty BMW saloon.
The silhouette of the new BMW i3 maintains the classic, sporty proportions typical of BMW in a contemporary 2.5-box design introduced with the ‘Neue Klasse’. Its appearance is characterised by a long wheelbase, striking surfaces and short overhangs. The shape is aerodynamically optimised with a premium dynamic appearance. Meanwhile, short overhangs and powerfully shaped wheel arches emphasise its sporting stance. A distinctive design feature is the cabin, set back from the main structure. In combination with the flared wheel arches, this creates a particularly athletic shoulder area. The low-positioned, precise character line brings the BMW i3's visual centre of gravity closer to the road. When the BMW Digital Key Plus is near, the flush-mounted door handles automatically extend. To increase efficiency and range, the four-door saloon has a completely closed, smooth underbody. The new 21 inch ‘M Aerodynamic’ alloy wheels emphasise the BMW i3's sporty appearance.
The front end of the new BMW i3 presents the face of the ‘Neue Klasse’ in a distinctive, modern form. The iconic BMW radiator grille and twin headlights seamlessly integrate with the front sensors, creating a unified visual element. With meticulous precision, they effectively highlight the broad design of the vehicle.
The light signature, arranged horizontally, spans nearly the whole front. Two daytime driving lights on the left and right with integrated turn indicator function create a new and again modern look for the hallmark BMW ‘four-eye’ face. As an option, the ‘Iconic Glow’ special equipment enhances the visual depth effect of the BMW radiator grille. Precise contour lighting emphasises the attractive look. Upon request, optional dynamic lighting effects can add unique highlights to the front section.
The redesigned BMW brand emblem sits above the BMW radiator grille. The front is dynamically inclined towards the road in a shark-nose design, thus emphasising the sporty character of the vehicle. The new BMW i3 comes to life with its light animation as soon as the driver approaches the vehicle. The ‘Welcome Light Animation’ begins on the exterior of the vehicle and continues in the interior. The optional BMW ‘Iconic Glow’ exterior package offers three impressive lighting animations. Buyers can individualise the ‘Welcome Light Animation’ of their BMW i3 to their personal taste.
Similar to the front of the vehicle, the rear of the new BMW i3 features a contemporary and dynamic design language. The athletic shoulders are a characteristic feature of the rear end. The prominently flared wheel arches again signify sportiness. They powerfully emphasise the width of the saloon as well as its stance on the road. Located at the lower rear, a diffuser element emphasises the aerodynamic qualities of the BMW i3.
Horizontally aligned rear lights feature a new three-dimensional light signature. They extend far into the prominent shoulders and reflect precision and technological progress. Two light elements per side show the familiar L-shape of previous BMW rear lights in a new, abstract form. At the same time, they underline the width of the saloon and the distinctive character of the BMW 3 Series.
The Prestige Interior
The interior design is airy and modern and stands for optimal driver orientation, user interaction and a harmonious interplay of geometry, light and aural quality. Digital and real content merge through the coordinated design of the ambient light and the graphics on the central display and the BMW ‘Panoramic Vision’.
Thanks to its exceptional interior comfort, they say, the BMW i3 makes the most of the vehicle architecture, consistently focused on ‘electro-mobility’. The ‘Free-Cut Design Central Display’ is angled towards the driver’s seat and positioned on the instrument panel. This embraces the traditional sporting ethos of the BMW 3 Series. The lines of the instrument panel flow horizontally on both sides into the dynamically designed door panels. This creates an enveloping wrap-around effect for the passengers, which continues throughout the interior. The optional panoramic roof with climate comfort glass, in combination with the large window areas, creates a feeling of space flooded with light.
The BMW ‘Panoramic iDrive’ provides a completely new experience of BMW driver orientation. Four central elements merge into a unique display and operating system in the new BMW i3. The ‘BMW Panoramic Vision’ and the optional ‘BMW 3D Head-Up Display’ project relevant information directly into the driver's line of sight, eliminating the need for cockpit displays behind the steering wheel, which has a centre spoke in the upper section. In addition to distinctive thumb rests for improved ergonomics, it has multifunction buttons for particularly intuitive operation. This follows the principle of ‘Hands on the Wheel, Eyes on the Road’, always a good plan. If that wheel design does not suit, then there’s the optional ‘M Sport’ steering wheel which has a flattened, dynamic design and spokes at the four and eight o'clock positions; rather more traditional.
The ‘Free-Cut Design Central Display’ equipped with matrix backlight technology is also positioned right next to the steering wheel. It is angled at 3 degrees towards the driver for even more direct driver orientation.
The BMW i3 offers customers comprehensive options for personalisation in the areas of lighting, sound, displays and drives via ‘My Modes’.
The new BMW i3 comes with supportive and elegant seats with electrically operated adjustment options as well as a ‘Travel & Comfort’ system as standard. They provide a high level of comfort and secure lateral support. Multifunction seats are available as an option. BMW M Sport seats are also available, which feature a sporty, expressive design and distinctive side sections for particularly secure lateral support. The seat adjustment control panels are each located in the door panels.
BMW have long been regarded as leaders in intuitive operation and perfect ergonomics. This also applies to the latest ‘BMW Panoramic iDrive’ display and operating system with ‘BMW Operating System X in the new BMW i3’. The entire system adheres to the principle: The right information, in the right place at the right time. It is controlled by ergonomically optimised analogue and digital control elements.
Many of the BMW i3's innovations in the area of display and control technology are protected by the BMW Group with patent applications. As you might expect, this EV comes loaded with all the latest safety and infotainment technology and then some. Over-the-air updates keep the car on trend.
Handling & Drive
Handling is precise, assured and effortless thanks apparently to the bizarrely named ‘Heart of Joy’ super-brain which is responsible for all driving functions. It combines with three additional high-performance computers covering automated driving, infotainment and comfort-enhancing functions, culminating in a new digital nervous system, developed completely in-house by BMW. These super-brains offer up to 20 times more processing power than those utilised by previous BMW models.
Initially, The BMW i3 launches with the ‘50 xDrive’ model variant, which is powered by two electric motors driving the front and rear axles to develop a combined system output of 345kW (469PS / 463BHP equivalent) and 645Nm of torque. Alongside its impressive range, the BMW i3 can be charged at speeds of up to 400 kW at an 800-volt DC charging station to drastically reduce charging times. The result is up to 249 miles (400km) of range in just 10 minutes. This capability is enabled by sixth-generation BMW ‘eDrive’ technology, which teams highly efficient electric motors, 800-volt technology and new high-voltage batteries with energy-dense cylindrical cells.
This prestige electric car is one to watch in 2026.
MHH International & BMW
This car is brand new to market but MHH International offer a wide range of cars and SUV’s from this prestige car maker. You can see the current stock on these pages. MHH International exports cars from BMW and many other premium brands from the UK to customers around the world in countries as diverse as Kenya and New Zealand. Twenty-seven destinations are served in all and full details can be found via the Home Page of this website.
