TLDR
- BMW unveiled its new all-electric i3 sedan on Wednesday, built on the next-gen Neue Klasse platform
- The i3 50 xDrive produces 469 horsepower with dual-motor AWD, targeting Tesla’s Model 3 Performance
- BMW claims 440 miles of EPA-estimated range — well ahead of Tesla Model 3 Performance’s 309 miles
- The car is expected to start around $55,000 in the US, with deliveries not expected until 2027
- Production begins in Munich in August, with European deliveries starting in fall 2026
BMW officially unveiled the new all-electric i3 sedan on Wednesday, marking the second model to launch on its next-generation Neue Klasse platform.
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW.DE
The reveal is a direct shot at Tesla’s Model 3 lineup, and BMW isn’t being subtle about it.
The i3 launches in a single variant — the 50 xDrive — a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup producing 469 horsepower. Tesla’s Model 3 Performance puts out 510 horsepower, so BMW isn’t quite matching it on power, but it has another card to play.
BMW is claiming 900 km of range on the European WLTP test cycle, translating to roughly 440 miles on the EPA scale. That would put it well clear of the Tesla Model 3 Performance, which is rated at 309 EPA miles, and even ahead of the Model 3 Premium’s 363-mile figure.
The i3 can also add around 250 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging, thanks to an 800-volt architecture and sixth-generation eDrive technology. The 0-60 mph time is targeted at around four seconds.
Interior and Technology
Inside, BMW has redesigned the cabin around a 40-inch panoramic display that runs across the dashboard. The updated iDrive system runs on BMW’s new Heart of Joy computing platform, which the company says operates 10 times faster than the previous generation.
The new i3 is physically larger than the outgoing 3 Series — longer, wider, and taller — and its exterior design previews what the next gas-powered 3 Series will look like.
US pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but BMW is expected to price the i3 at around $55,000. That puts it above the Model 3 Premium AWD, which starts at roughly $47,490, but level with the Model 3 Performance at $54,990.
Production and US Timeline
Production is set to begin at BMW’s Munich plant in August 2026. European deliveries are expected in fall 2026, but US buyers will need to wait — American deliveries aren’t expected until 2027.
BMW has confirmed that additional variants will follow, including an all-electric M3. The i3 and iX3 SUV are part of a broader Neue Klasse rollout that also includes four more upcoming models.
BMW has described the Neue Klasse programme as the single largest financial investment in its history.
On Wall Street, analysts currently have a Hold consensus on BAMXF stock based on five Buys, five Holds, and three Sells over the past three months. The average price target sits at $104.23, implying around 14.3% upside from current levels.
BMW.DE fell 0.20% on Wednesday, while Tesla (TSLA) was down 0.38%.
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