05:15 25-04-2026

New-generation BMW i3 premieres in Beijing with 1000 km range and 800V tech

At the Beijing auto show, Tarantas News journalists captured the new BMW i3 with an extended wheelbase — one of BMW's key premieres for the Chinese market. It's no longer the previous compact electric car but a midsize electric sedan from the new Neue Klasse generation: with a wheelbase over 3 meters, 800-volt architecture, charging up to 400 kW, and a claimed range exceeding 1,000 km on the CLTC cycle.

BMW presented the new-generation i3 as a model developed specifically for China's demands. Photos clearly show a cleaner, more tech-forward look: a low sedan silhouette, an almost closed front end, a glowing interpretation of the signature kidney grille, and new lighting graphics in a digital angel wing style. The radars and cameras are hidden in the front light area, so electronics don't disrupt the exterior design.

A key feature of this version is the long wheelbase. BMW emphasizes that the new i3's wheelbase exceeds 3 meters, meaning it should be noticeably more spacious in the back than classic midsize sedans of previous generations. For the Chinese market, this is critical: buyers there often judge an electric car not just as a driver's car but also as comfortable transport for rear passengers.

The main difference between the new BMW i3 and the old model of the same name lies in the philosophy. The previous i3 was an experimental city hatchback with an unusual body, while the new version is a full-fledged electric sedan on the Neue Klasse architecture. It's based on the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology, a new large cylindrical battery, and a global 800-volt electrical platform.

According to BMW, the long-wheelbase i3's range exceeds 1,000 km on the CLTC cycle. The maximum charging power reaches 400 kW, and in 10 minutes the car can replenish about 400 km of range on the same Chinese cycle. Special emphasis is placed on regeneration: in most daily scenarios, the car should slow down through energy recovery, reducing the load on mechanical brakes and increasing efficiency.

The interior of the new BMW i3 is part of the brand's new digital strategy. The car features BMW Panoramic iDrive with a panoramic display in the driver's direct line of sight, a central screen, and a 3D-projection interface. The idea is to keep the driver less distracted from the road while essential data remains in their natural field of vision.

For China, the system has been deeply localized. It includes BMW AutoNavi maps, a digital key, integration with Huawei HarmonyOS, and the intelligent personal assistant BMW uses capabilities from Alibaba and DeepSeek. Also announced is an L2 driver assistance system developed with Momenta and adapted for Chinese roads: urban, highway, and parking are supposed to work in a unified point-to-point logic.

The new BMW i3 LWB will become one of the most important electric newcomers from BMW for China. The model is expected to hit the market in the second half of 2026 and occupy the midsize premium electric sedan segment. Its closest competitors can be considered the Tesla Model 3, Xiaomi SU7, Zeekr 007, Nio ET5, and Luxeed S7 — all have already accustomed Chinese buyers to long range, quick interfaces, and advanced assists.