New BMW i3 Based on Neue Klasse to Make Global Debut on March 18: Here’s What To Expect

German luxury automaker BMW has confirmed that the upcoming i3 electric sedan will make its global debut on March 18th 2026. The new i3 will be the first sedan based on BMW’s Neue Klasse electric platform and will expand the company’s next-generation EV lineup.

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The i3 will become the second production model under the Neue Klasse architecture after the iX3 SUV that debuted last year. With this BMW will introduce an all-electric counterpart to the next-generation 3 Series sedan.

The i3 nameplate also returns to the brand’s portfolio. It was previously used on BMW’s compact electric hatchback that remained in production until 2022.

Teasers released by BMW offer a glimpse of the upcoming sedan’s lighting signature and front-end design. The i3 is expected to retain proportions similar to the 3 Series, including a long bonnet, short overhangs and a rear-wheel-drive stance.

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The design direction will draw cues from the Vision Neue Klasse concept revealed in 2023. At the front, the sedan is expected to feature slim LED headlamps with integrated daytime running lights along with a redesigned kidney grille. Unlike the vertical grille used on the iX3, the i3 is likely to adopt a wider and more horizontally aligned layout.

BMW has not revealed the interior yet, but the i3 is expected to share several elements with the Neue Klasse-based iX3. The cabin is likely to feature a simplified dashboard layout with fewer physical buttons. A 17.9-inch central touchscreen running BMW’s latest Operating System X is expected to serve as the primary interface. Another feature expected on the i3 is a panoramic projection display running across the base of the windscreen. This system replaces the traditional instrument cluster and projects key driving information directly within the driver’s line of sight.

The Neue Klasse architecture introduces BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive system along with new cylindrical battery cells. These cells are claimed to offer around 20 percent higher energy density compared to the earlier prismatic battery design.

The platform also supports an 800-volt electrical architecture, enabling charging speeds of up to 400kW. BMW states that the new EV system delivers up to 30 percent more range, 30 percent faster charging and about 25 percent improved efficiency compared with its previous generation technology.

Although BMW has not confirmed the final specifications, the i3 could share its battery configuration with the iX3. The SUV uses a 108.7kWh battery pack paired with a dual-motor setup producing around 463bhp and 645Nm of torque. The claimed WLTP range for the iX3 is up to 805km and similar figures are expected for the i3. BMW is also likely to offer both single-motor and dual-motor variants.