BMW’s new i3 marks a major shift from the old city car into a fully electric 3 Series sized sports saloon aimed squarely at mainstream buyers. Built on BMW’s new “Neue Klasse” EV platform and due to arrive in the UK in the second half of 2026, it is designed to combine long distance range, ultra fast charging and the familiar 3 Series driving feel in an all electric package.

At the heart of the new i3 is BMW’s sixth generation eDrive technology with an 800 volt electrical architecture. Officially, BMW is quoting up to around 550 miles of WLTP range for UK models, putting it at the top of the current EV market for single charge distance and even ahead of BMW’s own iX3 SUV thanks to the saloon’s lighter weight and better aerodynamics.

Equally important for UK long distance drivers is charging performance: the car can accept up to 400 kW, allowing roughly 250 miles of range to be added in about 10 minutes under ideal rapid charger conditions, which makes it realistic to cover big motorway trips with only brief stops.

Styling wise, the i3 moves away from the quirky look of the old model and instead presents itself as a low, sleek sports saloon. A shark nose front end, a reinterpreted horizontal kidney grille and slim headlights give it a sharp, modern face, while pronounced wheelarches and strong shoulder lines emphasise its rear wheel drive proportions.

At the back, wide L shaped tail-lights and a broad stance underline its sporting intentions, and UK buyers will be able to choose from eleven paint colours at launch, including an i3 exclusive Le Castellet Blue.

Inside, the i3 takes BMW in a more minimalist, high tech direction without losing the brand’s traditional driver focus. The cabin is light, airy and modern, dominated by a 17.9 inch central touchscreen angled towards the driver and BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive system, which projects key information across the lower part of the windscreen instead of using a conventional instrument binnacle. A new multi function steering wheel with “Shy Tech” controls only illuminates buttons when they are relevant, while high quality materials, including fabric and Veganza upholstery options in several colours, reinforce the upmarket feel.

Practicality has also been carefully considered for UK family and fleet buyers. The dedicated EV platform provides a flat rear floor, improving comfort for the middle rear passenger and boosting usable space, and rear legroom looks generous enough for adults. Standard sports seats with electric adjustment are fitted, while options include multi function and M Sport seats for added lateral support, plus a panoramic roof to make the already bright cabin feel even more spacious.

Technically, the new i3 places a strong emphasis on driving dynamics and safety through its central “Heart of Joy” computing system. This powerful control unit coordinates driving, braking, energy recuperation and elements of the steering to sharpen responses and improve stability, aiming to match or exceed the handling of today’s petrol 3 Series. BMW claims that up to 98% of braking in everyday driving can be handled by regenerative systems, significantly increasing efficiency and making one pedal style driving a realistic option in UK traffic.

For UK buyers, the new BMW i3 effectively replaces the traditional 3 Series saloon as the core of BMW’s line up, offering long range, very rapid charging and a familiar premium, driver focused feel in a fully electric form.

While full UK pricing has yet to be finalised, its positioning as the all electric 3 Series suggests it will sit in the heart of the executive EV market, targeting everyone from company car drivers to private buyers looking to go electric without sacrificing performance or long distance usability.