BMW i3 Introduction: The Reinvention of the 3 Series

Contents

The duel, which has actually not been a duel for a long time, enters a new round: Mercedes and BMW have been eyeing each other in the mid-size class since 1982. Back then, the BMW 3 Series, whose roots go back to 1966, got the Mercedes 190 as a competitor. This year, both are introducing battery-electric versions of the 3 Series and C-Class. The BMW i3 is the first, but this lead probably won't last long.

Massive appearance

Its exterior appearance has none of the visual lightness that characterized earlier 3 Series generations. Its presence is bulky and massive, especially in the rear. The kidney grille is only subtly indicated. At the rear, the taillights extend far into the tailgate. BMW also didn't want to do without retractable door handles. A small spoiler above the rear wheel also contributes to the aerodynamics. Overall, the car measures 4.76 m, the wheelbase 2.9 m. That should certainly be enough to offer a generous amount of space. Unlike Mercedes, a station wagon is also in the works.

Bild 1 von 8

BMW i3: außen (8 Bilder)

Familiar

The i3 is a completely new car, yet it looks almost familiar, especially in the interior. BMW has adopted the dashboard practically completely from the iX3. Those responsible show some courage here, as numerous details are fundamentally different from those in other cars. The steering wheel has its spokes at the top and bottom, and there is no instrument cluster behind it. Instead, BMW installs a narrow strip under the windshield, which can be partially configured. The 17.9-inch display in the center is a parallelogram tilted towards the driver. Undoubtedly, all of this breaks with many conventions, and the flood of iX3 orders must confirm the designers in their boldness. Such extensively presented boldness will polarize, and BMW is taking a full risk here.

Digital playground

A display for the front passenger is not provided, not even as an option. Unlike the combustion-engine 3 Series, which is also to be put into this packaging with an extensive facelift this year, the glass roof in the i3 cannot be opened – just as BMW has been doing with the 5 Series and 7 Series for a few years. Selected smartphones or smartwatches can be set up as vehicle keys, and access can be digitally passed on in this way, even for a limited time if desired. This allows the car to be lent out remotely. This is just a tiny excerpt from a huge digital playground that BMW will roll out via the App Store.

Bild 1 von 7

BMW i3: innen (7 Bilder)

Start with one drive configuration

There are no surprises with the drive and battery either. The i3 will initially be launched as the “50 xDrive”. With its 345 kW, it will not be the top or the entry-level model in the medium term. At the front, BMW installs an asynchronous motor, which can be dragged along with low consumption when it has nothing to do. At the rear, the primary drive is a synchronous motor. It will be followed by at least one model without a front motor and also the electric counterpart to the BMW M3 with significantly more power.

Quickly charged

The battery has a usable energy content of just under 109 kWh. It can be charged at up to 400 kW at its peak. The charge level window between 10 and 80 percent, a substantial 76 kWh, will close in 21 minutes, as in the iX3, provided the charging infrastructure can keep up. The average net charging power in this range is therefore almost 220 kW. BMW promises that more than 370 km of WLTP range can be added in 10 minutes. The maximum range should be around 900 km, and the upcoming rear-wheel-drive model should be even higher. In practice, around 500 km at a stretch should always be possible quite reliably on the autobahn, provided the driver doesn't try to cover them in (under) three hours. In some driving profiles, the optional 22 kW AC charger will make everyday life more pleasant.

For now, from around 65,000 Euros

BMW has not yet announced prices, but we expect the base model to cost around 65,000  euros. The upcoming base model will probably drop below 60,000 euros, and BMW has certainly created the option to expand the model range downwards with significantly less energy content in the traction battery if necessary. Because this remains a decisive cost driver here for the moment, even though prices per kilowatt-hour at the cell level continue to fall. The i3 will be delivered from autumn 2026, and next year the model range will be expanded with further powertrains and the station wagon.

In the race with Mercedes, BMW once again proves its design courage. Mercedes counters with a deliberately conservative appearance, supplemented by details such as a display for the front passenger or an air suspension. Neither is available for the i3. Either way: The mid-size segment is growing this year with two interesting representatives with electric drives, both of which are also available in at least similar forms with combustion engines. Now it's up to the customers.

(mfz)