BMW’s New All-Electric i3 is a Pretty Big Deal

BMW has unveiled the design of its upcoming electric i3 sedan, and it marks a major shift for the brand.

Despite the familiar name, this is not a successor to the quirky carbon-fiber hatchback BMW sold in the 2010s.

Instead, the new i3 is essentially the company’s first fully electric version of the 3 Series.  

Visually, the car introduces BMW’s new “Neue Klasse” design language, which will shape the look of many future models.

The proportions are classic sports sedan: long hood, short overhangs, and a low, planted stance.

The body surfaces are much cleaner than recent BMWs, with fewer creases and a more sculpted, minimalist feel.  

Up front, the familiar BMW kidney grille is still there, but it’s smaller and more integrated into the nose. Slim LED lighting elements stretch across the front, giving the car a sharper and more modern face.

The overall effect feels like a modern interpretation of classic BMW sedans from the 1970s and 1980s.  

Inside, the dashboard moves away from the traditional instrument cluster.

Instead, BMW uses a new panoramic display that runs along the base of the windshield, showing key information across the entire width of the cabin.

A large central touchscreen handles most other functions, while a redesigned steering wheel adds touch-sensitive controls.  

Underneath the new design is BMW’s all-new Neue Klasse EV platform. Early versions of the i3 are expected to deliver around 463 horsepower with dual motors and support ultra-fast charging thanks to an 800-volt electrical system.  

For BMW, the new i3 is more than just another electric car. It’s the beginning of a broader reset for the company’s design and technology as it moves fully into the electric era.  

For some, this might just seem like another sedan. But for the industry, it’s a pretty big deal.

With rising oil prices, and instability around the world, electric vehicles are starting to look better and better.