'The most important BMW in recent history': BMW reveals new i3 EV with 560-mile range but its design is splitting opinion

Date:
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Description:
Internet opinions come pouring in as BMW unveils its upcoming electric i3 arguably one of the most important cars for the German brand in years

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50 xDrive i3 launch model comes with 469hp Company says it is capable of
900km (560 miles) of WLTP range The internet has been divided on the way it looks We knew that it was coming, but BMW has still managed to cause quite a stir by unveiling its Neue Klasse i3 today arguably the first all-electric 3 Series and likely the most important BMW in recent history.

The company said it was the very essence of the BMW brand and, as such, has seen fit to endow the sharp four-door saloon with a whopping 108kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery that is capable of delivering just shy of 560 miles. Launching with the 50 xDrive variant, a twin motor powertrain develops a combined system output of 469hp and 645Nm of torque for rapid acceleration and BMWs renowned performance credentials. Article continues below You may like This new EV has the world's longest range, according to BYD's luxury brand Denza Ive tried BMWs latest iDrive its Alexa Plus upgrade is a game-changer BYD says its Blade Battery 2.0 can deliver over 600 miles
on a single charge

BMW also says its upcoming i3 offers class-leading driving dynamics, thanks
to a new superbrain digital architecture and the Heart of Joy driving
dynamics system that was debuted on the iX3 electric SUV. Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: BMW) (Image credit: BMW) (Image credit: BMW) (Image credit: BMW) (Image credit: BMW) (Image credit: BMW) These high-performance processors can crunch information and sensor data within milliseconds, meaning acceleration, braking and steering are sharper than any electric vehicle the company has produced to date.

Early drives of the iX3 already attest to how well the system operates and feels when behind the wheel.

Whats more, the 800V electrical architecture underpinning both Neue Klasse vehicles is capable of adding up to 250 miles of range in around 10 minutes from a 400kW charger. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Inside, the new i3 takes a similar approach to the iX3, complete with the latest iDrive system and the massive Panoramic Vision strip that runs the entire width of the windscreen and projects customizable widgets onto a black strip.

Theres also an optional head-up display and the standard 17.9-inch central touchscreen display that is angled towards the driver.

Plus, BMW is pushing hard into AI voice assistants, thanks in part to its collaboration with Amazon and subsequent integration of Alexa Plus inside its vehicles. What to read next Chinese researchers just passed a massive semi-solid-state EV battery milestone An EV that charges to 70% in 5 minutes? It's real, and it's coming to Europe soon Mercedes-Benz just launched the Rolls-Royce of the minivan world Analysis: Styling that divides (Image
credit: BMW) To these eyes at least, BMW has hit the bullseye when it comes
to the exterior styling of the upcoming i3. It manages to look modern and fresh, while providing enough subtle nods back to some of the most handsome 3 Series models in its history.

It is low and wide, with short overhands and aggressively flared wheel
arches, while the kidney grille at the front has been reduced from its previous, ungainly proportions to something altogether more elegant.

But not everybody likes it. Theres a general consensus among Instagram and Reddit users that it looks Chinese and that the rear end isnt particularly beautiful.

But on the other hand, one Reddit user said that it is the first genuinely
new design language since Flame Surfacing from Chris Bangle one of the most controversial BMW designers of recent times.

One subject that hasnt been heavily criticized is the claimed 560-mile range, which puts BMW firmly out ahead in terms smashing range anxiety for potential customers.

In addition to this, the company has also confirmed that there will be an estate or wagon version of the i3 coming, as well as a high performance M3 based on the same platform that BMW has already stated will set new standard for electric performance. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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