BMW i3 2026 on Neue Klasse: specs, 800 km range, fast charging, M3 and Touring

BMW is preparing to roll out the next-generation 3 Series in fully electric form—the i3 due in 2026—which will be the brand’s second production model on the Neue Klasse platform. Autocar reports that several versions are in the pipeline, including a high-performance M3 and a practical Touring.

The core i3 50 xDrive is set to use two electric motors with a combined 469 hp and a 108.7 kWh battery. A range of about 800 km would place it among 2026’s longest-range newcomers, while the 800-volt architecture enables a 10 to 80% charge in roughly 20 minutes—promising road trips with fewer long stops.

Inside, expect BMW’s panoramic iDrive control system paired with a new infotainment backbone, while sleeker aerodynamics and reworked electronics aim to lift both performance and efficiency. Alongside the electric lineup, BMW also plans updates for the gasoline 3-Series, aligning them with the fresh design direction—an approach that suggests the brand wants consistency across its most important nameplate even as it pivots to EVs.