BMW i3 preview: Australia’s first EV with over 900 km of range
BMW unveiled its latest EV model with an all-new EV platform it calls Neue Klasse at the IAA Mobility show in Munich last year. That model, the iX3 electric SUV, brought with it over 800 km of WLTP range and 400 kW fast-charging speeds.
The company has now gone one step further, previewing its first electric sedan, the i3, which will offer 912 km of WLTP range thanks to a large 108.7 kWh battery pack and is due to arrive in Australia in the first quarter of 2027.
We recently attended a static display of the next-gen electric sedan in Melbourne that is expected to take the brand known for its ultimate driving machines into a new era in Australia with its next-generation 3-series sedan.
The new model features BMW’s new styling and design, with an illuminated kidney grille that is a common feature of many BMW models.
This time, though, it also has flush door handles to improve aerodynamics, along with a sloping rear end that gives it a slight coupe-like look from the back.
Like the new iX3 and iX5 SUVs, things get interesting on the inside of the i3 with a new angular centre screen, a smaller, more oval-like steering wheel, and ambient lighting.
BMW calls this its new Panoramic iDrive display and control system, which combines four central control elements for a better driving experience.
This system can be controlled by either touch or voice, and the right information appears when needed by the driver to ensure the driver can pay attention to the road and keep their hands on the wheel.
Moving on to the new EV architecture, which will lower energy consumption to as low as 13.4 kWh/100 km on the i3 sedan and deliver a range of up to 912 km from the 108.7 kWh battery pack.
This battery pack uses BMW’s latest technology, including cylindrical battery cells with higher energy density than those in the company’s previous models.
The same pack can be charged at speeds of up to 400 kW, almost twice the speed of models like the BMW i5, which is available in Australia with a maximum charging speed of up to 205 kW.
That’s thanks to the car’s new 800 V architecture, a step up from the brand’s previous generation EVs.
On the powertrain front, the dual-motor setup delivers 345 kW of power and 645 Nm of torque, helping it reach 0-100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and making it a fairly quick sedan from the brand. This setup also gets the i3 50 xDrive to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h.
AC charging on the new car is limited to 22 kW, which is pretty good and would help the car charge from empty to full in around 5.5 hours at the right three-phase charger.
Coming in at 4.76 metres in length, the new i3 will have a kerb weight of 2,280 kg and has over 420 litres of boot space with the rear seats up.
BMW has put quite a bit of thought into this model, and the static model we experienced came with the upgraded wheels and Pirelli P-Zero tyres, which gives us a glimpse of what this car would be like to drive on the roads, packing sporty handling and good driving dynamics.
The new i3 will be manufactured in Germany at BMW Group’s Milbertshofen plant in Munich, with expected Australian-bound production to begin in early 2027.
First local customer deliveries are expected to begin in Q1 2027. Pricing and other model-specific details will be released closer to the launch.
Overall, the sedan brings in many of the elements we have seen in the Neue Klasse architecture, and that’s in a good way.
BMW i3 50 xDrive Features
19″ M aerodynamic wheels Polygon style 1061 M
AC charging Professional with 22kW
Acoustic protection for pedestrians
Adaptive M suspension
Alarm system
Ambient light
Automatic air conditioning
Automatic operation of tailgate
BMW 3D Head-up Display
BMW Digital Premium (limited duration)
BMW Iconic Glow exterior package
BMW Panoramic Vision
Comfort access system
DAB tuner
Driving Assistant Plus
Expanded exterior mirror package
Fast charging cable Professional (mode 3) for public charging
HiFi loudspeaker system Harman Kardon
Instrument panel in Veganza
Intelligent charging flap
Intelligent Emergency Call
Interior design Contemporary | Black bicolour
LED headlights
M Sport brake, dark blue metallic
M Sport package
Multifunction Charger
Multifunctional seats for driver and front passenger
Panoramic sunroof with climate comfort glazing
Parking Assistant Plus
Rear lights with LED technology
Seat adjustment, electric, with memory
Seat heating for driver and front passenger
Seat heating for rear seats
Sports steering wheel
Steering-wheel heating
Storage compartment under the bonnet
Sun protection glazing
Teleservices
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Tyre repair kit Plus
Warning triangle
Wireless charging tray Plus