Confirmed: New electric BMW 3 Series will revive i3 name in 2026

This is our best look yet at the next-generation BMW 3 Series ahead of its world debut in 2026. 

Specifically this is the fully electric version which will (unsurprisingly) be called the BMW i3 – the name previously worn by the brand’s trailblazing zero-emissions city car. 

The new BMW i3 was presented for the first time at the reveal of the game-changing BMW iX3 SUV. The two cars utilise the same ‘Neue Klasse’ design language and cutting-edge technology, which will be shared amongst the 40 (yes, forty) new and updated models BMW plans to launch by 2027.

The i3 will be the first version of the next BMW 3 Series to arrive, but the genre-defining saloon will still be available with good old-fashioned combustion power. We’ve even spotted prototypes of the future BMW M340 – the last stop in the 3 Series line-up before the full-fat BMW M3 – presumably packing a potent six-cylinder petrol engine. 

While the highly-anticipated BMW i3 won’t arrive until next year, the electric BMW i4 is available to buy right now with up to £16,000 off through the Auto Express Buy A Car service, and to lease from £550 per month.

What will the new BMW 3 Series and i3 look like?

The show-stopping Vision Neue Klasse concept revealed in September 2023 already gives us a clear picture of what’s underneath the camouflage of all the prototypes we’ve been seeing. It introduced us to BMW’s new design language, and will inform almost everything we see from the brand over the next few years.

Visualised by our exclusive images, the front end will be defined by a new interpretation of BMW’s iconic kidney grilles, which are slimmer and much wider than those on some existing models, such as the 4 Series coupé or 7 Series limousine. and now wrap around the face of the car. The kidney grilles will also house some of the sensors and other technology needed for any advanced driver-assistance systems fitted.

From our spy pictures we can also tell that the combustion and electric versions of the 3 Series will look almost identical, but with a few differences in proportions. The EV, for example, appears to have a shorter bonnet, sleeker windscreen angle and more pronounced wheelarches. By contrast, ICE-powered models will have a very similar front end, but their bonnets will be longer and slightly lower to accommodate both four and six-cylinder engines. 

The fairly traditional three-box saloon shape will still feature across the range though, along with other modern interpretations of other BMW signature traits, such as the Hoffmeister kink in the rear door. Elsewhere, the simplified surfacing, flush door handles and tucked-in sills should help make what will likely be a heavy car look visually lighter.

Two different platforms for one car?

Auto Express understands the i3 will sit on an all-new, bespoke EV platform. Meanwhile, the petrol-powered 3 Series variants will use the current model’s underpinnings, probably with a similar selection of engines, too. 

This approach of different 3 Series models that look similar, but have completely different underpinnings is a change from BMW’s other models, such as the 5 Series and 7 Series. In these cases, there are both ICE and BEV powertrain options on the same platform, which offer both advantages and compromises in regards to packaging. 

However, this strategy was employed by sister brand MINI on its latest Cooper hatchback, which sees styling cues shared between the petrol and EV models, with slight differences to things such as the overhangs, roofline and door handles. The cabin design and tech onboard are identical.

Speaking of which, technology on the next 3 Series will include BMW’s brand-new interior design concept called ‘Panoramic iDrive’ and its latest software. This set-up does away with an ordinary instrument cluster and has vital information projected across the base of the windscreen, while the central touchscreen is positioned to make it easy for the driver to reach and glance at, so they can focus on the road ahead.

How much range will the electric BMW 3 Series have?

The i3 will use a brand new and scalable platform that has been “uncompromisingly optimised for electric drivetrains”, according to BMW. It will feature an 800V electrical architecture, which allows for ultra-rapid charging speeds – we’ve witnessed the new iX3 which uses the same tech gain 257 miles of range after being plugged in for just 10 minutes.

That’s thanks in part to BMW’s latest, sixth-generation eDrive powertrain technology, which uses cylindrical battery cells that deliver up to 20 per cent better energy density, 30 per cent more range and 30 per cent faster charging than current powerpacks. These cells will also be used as a part of the structure of Neue Klasse models, plus on certain cars, the batteries can be packaged differently to maximise space.

We don’t yet know what battery size the i3 will use, but if BMW manages to squeeze-in the 108.7kWh unit from the iX3 it would be able to cover more than 500 miles on one charge. For context, the BMW i4 electric saloon offers a range of up to 373 miles, while certain versions of the Tesla Model 3 can cover up to 436 miles in one go.

Petrol variants will use a modified version of the current model’s underpinnings, but feature a new tech stack – or electronic architecture – consistent with the new EV versions. Powertrains will also be similar to the current model’s, with extensive application of mild and plug-in hybrid drive systems to help keep the cars as efficient as possible.

A next-generation BMW M3 won’t be far behind the regular 3 Series. It's set to be revealed in 2027 before going on sale the following year. It will also be offered with both petrol and electric powertrains – the latter is likely to use a quad-motor set-up that’s been in the works for a while, which we’re told can deliver up to 1,341bhp in its most potent form.

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