Neue Klasse | Expected in the US in 2027

The New BMW i3 Sedan: What Bay Area Drivers Should Know

BMW has brought back the i3 name, but not the car you remember. The new i3 is a fully electric sports sedan in the 3 Series family, the second production model on BMW's Neue Klasse platform, and it is headed to the US in the first half of 2027. It is not on our lot yet. Here is what BMW has confirmed, what it has not, and how it fits the way East Bay drivers actually use a car.

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Is BMW bringing back the i3?

Yes, as a different kind of car. BMW revealed the new i3 on March 18, 2026, as an all-electric 3 Series sedan built on the Neue Klasse platform. Production of the i3 50 xDrive started at BMW's Munich plant in August 2026. US reservations open September 29, 2026, with a $1,000 deposit; pricing hasn't been announced, and BMW targets a US launch in the first half of 2027. BMW estimates up to 440 miles of range from its own preliminary testing under the EPA procedure.

The Launch Numbers at a Glance

These four figures cover the i3 50 xDrive, the first version. The specs come from BMW's US announcements and are preliminary; none of them are EPA-certified yet.

463 hpCombined output from two motors, with 476 lb-ft of torque

440 miBMW's estimated maximum range using the EPA test procedure (preliminary)

400 kWPeak DC fast-charging rate on an 800-volt system

1H 2027BMW's US launch target; reservations open September 29, 2026

Same Name, Different Car: The Original i3 vs. the New i3

You probably remember the small electric hatchback with the rear-hinged back doors that BMW built from 2013 to 2022. Plenty of those cars still run errands around North Berkeley and Rockridge. The new i3 shares the badge and nothing else. It is a sports sedan designed to do the job of a 3 Series, including the long drives the original was never meant for.

Topic	Original BMW i3 (2013-2022)	New BMW i3 (Neue Klasse)
Body style	Compact four-seat hatchback with rear-hinged rear doors	Sports sedan in the 3 Series family
Structure	Carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic passenger cell on an aluminum chassis	Neue Klasse architecture with a flat cell-to-pack battery
Drive	Single rear motor, rear-wheel drive	i3 50 xDrive: one motor per axle, all-wheel drive
Range concept	City car; an optional gasoline range extender was offered	Long-distance EV; no range extender, BMW estimates up to 440 miles
Electrical system	Earlier-generation BMW eDrive	Sixth-generation BMW eDrive, 800 volts
Built in	Leipzig, Germany	Munich, Germany (BMW's home plant), with San Luis Potosí, Mexico, confirmed from 2027

If you own an original i3, our service department can still take care of it. Nothing about the new model changes how the older car is maintained.

See the New i3 Before It Arrives

Until US cars land, the best way to judge the proportions and the new cabin is on video. This walkaround covers the exterior, the free-cut central display, and the interior layout of an early UK-market car.

The NEW BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition, first-look video by SytnerTV, a UK BMW retailer. The car shown is a UK-market First Edition; US equipment, wheels, and specifications may differ.

What BMW Has Confirmed So Far

BMW uses two different range yardsticks for this car, and mixing them up is the fastest way to get the wrong idea. The European WLTP cycle is gentler than the US EPA procedure, so a WLTP number always reads higher. For a Bay Area buyer, the EPA-procedure estimate is the one that matters.

Spec	BMW i3 50 xDrive	Source / label
Output	463 hp, 476 lb-ft	BMW USA, preliminary
0-100 km/h	4.7 seconds	BMW Group, European figure
Usable battery	108.7 kWh	BMW Group
US range	Up to 440 miles	BMW estimate, EPA procedure, not yet EPA-certified
European range	Up to 900 km	WLTP, provisional (not comparable to EPA)
Peak DC charging	Up to 400 kW	BMW Group
10-minute DC charge	Up to 400 km of range added	WLTP basis; no US figure published yet
Charge port	NACS (North American Charging Standard)	BMW USA
Bidirectional charging	Vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid capable hardware	BMW; US availability of these functions not announced
Central display	17.9-inch free-cut display, 3,340 x 1,440 pixels	BMW USA
US price	Not announced	As of September 2026

Figures from BMW Group PressClub (March 18, 2026 world-premiere release) and BMW USA's i3 market-introduction FAQ. BMW labels all figures preliminary and subject to change before US delivery. We will update this page when EPA ratings and US pricing are published.

What the Neue Klasse Platform Changes

The i3 is not a 3 Series with a battery bolted in. It shares the Neue Klasse hardware and software that debuted on the iX3, which is why the two cars are so closely matched on paper. For the wider picture of where BMW is taking its lineup, see our guide to the future of BMW electrification.

Gen6 eDrive and 800 volts

New cylindrical cells, 46 mm across and 95 mm tall, deliver 20 percent more volumetric energy density than the prismatic cells in Gen5. The 800-volt system is what makes 400 kW DC charging possible.

Two different motors

The i3 50 xDrive pairs an electrically excited synchronous motor at the rear with an asynchronous motor up front. BMW says the combination cuts energy losses by 40 percent.

Heart of Joy

One central computer manages drive, brakes, recuperation, and steering inputs. BMW says it responds ten times faster than previous systems, and it enables a Soft Stop function for smooth, quiet stops in traffic.

Panoramic iDrive

A 17.9-inch free-cut central display sits alongside BMW Panoramic Vision, which projects information across the base of the windshield. A 3D head-up display is optional.

Symbiotic Drive

BMW's newest Level 2+ driver-assistance system is designed to work cooperatively with the driver, so a small steering correction does not simply switch the system off.

Lower-footprint build

BMW says around 30 percent of the materials are secondary (recycled) materials, and the Gen6 battery cells cut CO2 footprint by around 33 percent per watt-hour.

i3, iX3, or i4: Which Electric BMW Fits Your Timing?

The i3 and iX3 share nearly identical powertrains, so the real choice is body style and timing. The iX3 is the SAV version and arrives first; our BMW iX3 page has its confirmed US pricing and launch details. If you need a car now, the i4 Gran Coupe is the electric BMW you can test-drive today, and our new BMW EV inventory shows what is actually available in Berkeley.

Question	BMW i4	BMW iX3 50 xDrive	BMW i3 50 xDrive
Body style	Four-door Gran Coupe	Compact SAV	Sports sedan
Platform	Current BMW eDrive	Neue Klasse	Neue Klasse
US status	On sale now; 2026 is its final US model year	Official US launch September 25, 2026; some dealers began early deliveries	Reservations open September 29, 2026; launch targeted for 1H 2027
US range	232-333 mi EPA (2026, by trim)	Up to 434 miles (EPA estimate)	Up to 440 miles (BMW estimate)
US price	See current inventory	From $61,500 plus $1,350 destination	Not announced
Test drive	Available today	Ask about timing	Not yet

iX3 figures per BMW of North America's May 7, 2026 pricing announcement. i3 figures per BMW USA and remain preliminary.

How the Timeline Has Played Out

Each step below is a date BMW has published or BMW-focused press has reported. Anything after the last step, including exact Bay Area allocation, has not been announced.

March 18, 2026: World premiereBMW revealed the new i3 in Munich as the second Neue Klasse model, following the iX3.
August 2026: Production beginsThe i3 50 xDrive entered series production at BMW Group Plant Munich, the company's home factory.
September 29, 2026: US reservations openReservations for the i3 50 xDrive open at 6:01 p.m. ET with a $1,000 deposit. Pricing has not been announced, and a reservation is not an order or a delivery date.
November 2026: US-spec production beginsCars built for the US market start coming off the line in Munich.
First half of 2027: US market launchThe 2027 BMW i3 arrives in US showrooms. BMW has not published a specific date, and US pricing is still to come.

What 440 Miles Means From Berkeley

Range numbers only mean something against your own week. Our Bay Area BMW EV range data shows how current models perform in local conditions, and the same logic will apply to the i3 once EPA figures are final.

The weekday commute

A stop-and-go crawl on I-80 toward the Bay Bridge or down I-580 is where an EV is most efficient, because regenerative braking recovers energy that a gas car throws away as brake heat. BMW says the Neue Klasse recuperation system handles the vast majority of everyday braking.

The Tahoe or Wine Country weekend

This is where the i3 separates itself from the original. Highway speed and the climb over Donner Summit use more energy than the rated figure suggests, but a car with a 400 kW charging ceiling needs far less time at a charger when you do stop.

Charging at home

Most Berkeley EV owners with a driveway or garage charge overnight on PG&E. Apartment dwellers lean on public chargers; our Berkeley public EV charging map covers the local options.

NACS from day one

A standard NACS port means the i3 plugs directly into the same connector used by Tesla's Supercharger network, including sites along the I-80 corridor toward Sacramento and the Sierra.

Expert Tips Before You Wait for the i3

Our advice to anyone weighing the new sedan comes down to a few practical points.

Line up your current car's timingIf your lease ends or your loan pays off in the next year, map that date against the September 29 reservation opening and BMW's first-half-2027 launch target. A short lease extension may beat a rushed decision. And since 2026 is the i4's final US model year, per BMW-focused reporting, an i4 today is the last of its line.
Drive the i4 or iX3 to calibrateAn i4 test drive today tells you how BMW's electric steering, one-pedal feel, and cabin noise suit you. The iX3 is the closest preview of the i3's hardware.
Think about your ownership horizonA car this new is a natural fit for a lease if you like to stay current with the technology. Our lease vs. buy guide for Berkeley walks through both paths.
Get your home charging sorted earlyIf you plan to install a Level 2 charger, getting the electrician and permit lined up before the car arrives saves a stretch of public-charging-only ownership. Our Berkeley BMW EV ownership guide covers the basics.

Why East Bay Drivers Come to Weatherford BMW

Weatherford BMW of Berkeley sits at 735 Ashby Ave. in West Berkeley, minutes from I-80. Our EV-focused service team, including our Master Certified EV technicians, is the same team that will look after the new i3 once it arrives, from the delivery walkthrough to its first service visit. Check our hours and directions before you visit.

Thinking about reserving an i3?

US reservations for the i3 open September 29, 2026, with a $1,000 deposit, and BMW hasn't announced pricing yet. If you're considering a reservation, send us a note through our contact page and we'll explain how it works and follow up when pricing is published. If you would rather drive something electric this week, book an i4 test drive.

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BMW i3 Sedan: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the new BMW i3 the same car as the old i3?

No. The original i3 was a compact electric hatchback built from 2013 to 2022. The new i3 is an all-electric sports sedan in the 3 Series family, built on BMW's Neue Klasse platform with sixth-generation eDrive and an 800-volt system.

When will the new BMW i3 be available in the US?

US reservations open September 29, 2026, with a $1,000 deposit, and US-spec production starts in November 2026. BMW targets a US launch in the first half of 2027 and has not announced a specific on-sale date or pricing.

How much will the BMW i3 sedan cost?

BMW has not announced US pricing for the i3 as of September 2026. For reference, the closely related 2027 iX3 50 xDrive starts at $61,500 plus $1,350 destination and handling.

What is the BMW i3's range?

BMW estimates up to 440 miles for the i3 50 xDrive based on its own preliminary testing under the EPA procedure. The European WLTP figure is up to 900 km, which is not directly comparable. Final EPA ratings have not been published.

How fast does the new i3 charge?

The i3 supports DC fast charging at up to 400 kW thanks to its 800-volt architecture. BMW quotes up to 400 km of WLTP range added in 10 minutes. US cars use a standard NACS charge port.

When can I reserve a BMW i3?

US reservations open September 29, 2026, at 6:01 p.m. ET with a $1,000 deposit. A reservation holds your place in line; it is not an order or a delivery date. Contact Weatherford BMW of Berkeley with questions about reserving, and test-drive a BMW i4 in the meantime.