BMW i3: the new electric 3 Series has a 559-mile range

Phill Tromans
Wed, 18 Mar 2026

• New electric 3 Series revealed
• Battery range up to 559 miles, 250-mile charge in 10 minutes
• The i3 will be the first new 3 Series released
• Full production starts in the second half of 2026

BMW has revealed the new i3 – the electric version of the next-generation 3 Series – with a 559-mile battery range and mega-fast 400W charging.

The BMW i3 will be the first model produced in the new 3 Series line, which uses the new Neue Klasse design style first seen on the latest iX3. We'll see the non-electric 3 Series in September, and this look will adorn some 40 new or updated BMW models over the next two years.

The first version of the BMW i3 to hit the streets will be the rather high-spec BMW i3 50 xDrive, with all-wheel drive and 469PS of power. More versions will follow, including those with a bit less oomph, smaller batteries and a lower price tag.

The revival of the i3 name follows its use on the long-running electric city car that was part of BMW's first run of electric vehicles between 2013 and 2022. Petrol models will also follow, along with a 3 Series Touring estate and an M3 high-performance version (with both petrol and electric power options) next year.

The new BMW i3 sits on a new electric vehicle platform with 800-volt architecture for fast charging, like the BMW iX3. A range of up to 559 miles on a full battery is possible according to WLTP testing.

When it goes on sale, the new i3 will be a rival for the next generation of Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which we should also see later this year.

2026 BMW i3 price and release date

There's no news yet on an official release date for the new BMW i3, but production is due to start in August, with cars due to arrive in the UK in the Autumn.

2026 BMW i3 styling, interior and tech

The new 2026 BMW i3 is a four-door saloon that measures 4760mm in length, 1865mm in width and 1480mm in height, making it slightly larger than than the current 3 Series, which is 4713mm long, 1827mm wide and 1440mm high.

The styling follows BMW's latest Neue Klasse design, with a front end that BMW calls a "shark nose", the latest BMW emblem sitting in the middle of the bonnet. The optional BMW Iconic Glow package adds illumination to the grille with customisable welcome and goodbye light animations. There are short overhangs at both ends and flared wheel arches for a dynamic look, and it rides on 21-inch alloy wheels as standard.

At the back, horizontal, three-dimensional rear lights extend into the car's shoulders with an L-shaped light signature. The BMW i3 has a completely smooth underbody to improve efficienct, with concealed seals between the windows and the bodywork. The aerodynamics are further streamlined with flush door handles that extend automatically when the driver approaches the car.

There are 11 paint colours to choose from, including a new shade – M Le Castellet Blue metallic. An optional M Sport Package adds a more aggressive body kit, blue M Sport brakes and M logos projected from the side mirrors.

Inside, BMW has gone for a "dynamic, airy and modern" feel, with a big 17.9-inch trapezoidal central screen that's angled towards the driver dominating the look of the dashboard, and an unusual four-spoke steering wheel, which you can swap out for a two-spoke M Sport wheel as an option. The new wheel uses "Shy Tech" controls, where buttons only illuminate when their functions are available. 

BMW's Panoramic Vision display runs the full width of the car at the base of the windscreen, showing key driving information in place of a more traditional digital driver display. This can be further enhanced with an optional 3D head-up display that projects information onto the car's windscreen in front of the driver. There's a wireless charger in the centre console.

There's an optional panoramic roof to flood the cabin with extra light. The standard sports seats are electrically adjustable, and you can upgrade to fancier seats as an option, including M Sport seats for more lateral support. The interior can be specified with a variety of colours and finishes.

Space in the back looks generous with a flat floor to give the centre rear passenger more leg room.

Storage-wise, there's a comparment underneath the centre armrest and a space below the centre console underneath the twin cupholders. There's also a 31-litre "frunk" under the bonnet for charging cables and the like. BMW has yet to reveal the capacity of the boot, but the company has said that the battery's flat design is intenmded to maximum interior spaciousness.

2026 BMW i3 motors, batteries and range

The first i3 produced will be the BMW i3 50 xDrive, which uses two electric motors. The primary drive is on the rear axle, with a second unit on the front axle. Combined, they make 469PS and 645Nm of torque. BMW says the new system reduces energy loss by 40% and weight by 10% compared to its earlier motors.

The battery size hasn't been revaled, but it uses 800-volt tech for fast charging and boasts an impressive 559-mile range. BMW says the design uses lithium-ion round cells that offer a 20% increase in energy density over the previous generation of battery tech. The battery is built into the boy of the car, acting as a structural component to increase torsional rigidity. The i3 can charge at up to 400kW using a suitable DC charger, which allows for 250 miles of range in just 10 minutes.

The BMW i3 is also capable of Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) to power external devices and appliances, as well as Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) for domestic energy storage and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) for feeding energy back into the public power grid.