BMW i3 promises as much as 700 km of range

The i3 electric sports sedan is the second model from BMW’s Neue Klasse era of vehicles, riding on the same platform as the iX3.

2027 BMW i3 driving front and side — *The 2027 BMW i3 will start arriving in Canada early next year. – BMW Group Canada photo*

BMW has unveiled the second model from its Neue Klasse (new class) of vehicles, and this one arrives with some impressive performance metrics.

The automaker has launched the i3. The i3 sedan is basically an electric 3 Series car, one of the most important models in the automaker’s lineup due to its sales volume.

The new electric car follows the recently launched iX3 compact SUV. The i3 and iX3 share the same architecture and to start are powered by the same powertrain, though likely more powertrain varieties will be added in the future.

The i3 is launching with the 50 xDrive powertrain, which gives the electric sedan a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain with 463 hp and 476 lb.-ft. of torque. Those figures are comparable to the gasoline-powered M3.

More impressive still is the anticipated range.

Based on preliminary testing, BMW anticipates the i3 will have an estimated electric range of up to 700 kilometres on a single charge. And this figure is based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test standards, which are more stringent than the WLTP standards observed in Europe.

2027 BMW i3 side and front from above — *The BMW i3 50 xDrive is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain. – BMW Group Canada photo*

Electric propulsion

The i3 benefits from BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, which is launching with the Neue Klasse. It promises significantly more efficient energy usage than BMW’s previous EVs.

The automaker said the new EV’s architecture was designed for sporty and pleasant driving dynamics.

The i3 utilizes 800-volt technology along with efficient electric motors and new high-voltage batteries, which BMW said enable high energy densities.

BMW said the car is capable of 400-kW DC fast charging speeds.

It also has Vehicle-to-Load and Vehicle-to-Home bidirectional charging functions. BMW also said the car will, in the future, support Vehicle-to-Grid functionality in Canada.

2027 BMW i3 front — *The BMW i3 features the company’s new signature grille design. – BMW Group Canada photo*

Design

The new electric 3 Series sedan continues BMW’s most recent design language, which was first observed in the iX3.

The car has a long wheelbase, short overhangs over the front and rear wheels and a sloping roofline at the rear.

BMW’s latest grille and twin headlights design give the i3 a new light signature.

Flared arches also give the car a sporty look.

2027 BMW i3 cabin front — *The BMW Panoramic iDrive makes its way into the i3. – BMW Group Canada photo*

Technology

Four powerful computers operate the car’s many features, from its drivetrain to its infotainment systems.

The i3 receives the company’s BMW Panoramic iDrive, which includes the BMW Panoramic Vision screen and an optional BMW 3D head-up display that projects driving-relevant information into the driver’s line of sight.

The central display, measuring 17.9 inches, is angled toward the driver and utilizes matrix backlight technology.

The Panoramic iDrive system combines touch, haptic and voice-based user interactions. An intelligent personal assistant enables many vehicle functions to be operated by voice command. The AI assistant self-learns and can be activated by saying “Hey BMW,” kind of how you might say “Hey Google” to your phone.

These tech features operate on the BMW Operating System X, the latest BMW OS.

The car also has a welcome light. The system lights up the exterior of the car as you approach and then the interior. These lights are customizable. The car also has welcome and goodbye animations.