The New BMW i3 Is a Return to the Brand's Sporty Sedan Roots
The Neue Klasse design will actually filter down to all of the 3-series’ powertrain variants, including the gas-powered model.
Summary
- BMW unveiled the new i3 sedan in Munich, Germany this week
- The i3 is the sedan’s all electric variant; other powertrains will share the same body shape and look
- Production will begin later this year
This week in Munich, BMW held a huge conference to unveil the latest model under the Roundel: the all-new BMW i3. The design is under the brand’s rebirth of Neue Klasse, a design language which debuted in the iX3 last year.
The BMW i3 is a return to the roots of sporty, compact, functional and driver-focused 3-series sedans the brand became synonymous for. With it comes a timeless 2.5-box silhouette, called for its two-and-a-half box-zised shape at the hood, roof and trunk. Neue Klasse is also defined by its signature geometric front kidney grilles, wider and narrower than the more recent iterations. Thin vertical headlight slats also give it a venomous look at night – it looks great. Another classic BMW sedan feature is the small overhang at the front, which not only gives it a butch figure but better handling at sharp cornering. There’s even subtle flaring of the rear fenders; nothing overly aggressive, but enough for the i3 to benefit from a subtle drop and some lipped aftermarket wheels.
Inside, you’re greeted to a driver-focused interior, another hallmark for BMWs of old where the gauge cluster and instrumentation were slightly angled towards the driver. For the i3, this is translated with its BMW Panoramic iDrive and the free-cut central display, alongside a new sports steering wheel that features a new vertical spoke. Since the information is all displayed through the HUD and there’s nothing behind the wheel, visibility for the driver is not an issue.
The i3 is all-electric in its powertrain, delivering 463 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels with electric motors at front and rear axles. Suspension will also come with M Adaptive Suspension as optional, for those looking to stiffen and soften the ride on demand.
While the i3 is the all-electric model, BMW did explain that the design is cohesive throughout all the powertrain variants, even the gas-powered model. During the reveal in Munich, we got an exclusive first look teaser at a touring estate model as well, albeit just the silhouette. No word yet on if that will reach the states.
The BMW i3 is slated for production later this year.
