BMW just delivered specs that make Tesla’s Model 3 look quaint: the upcoming i3 electric sedan promises 560 miles of range and charges 350 kilometers worth of juice in just 10 minutes. This isn’t incremental improvement—it’s BMW throwing down the gauntlet in luxury EVs with technology that outpaces current segment leaders.
The Neue Klasse Platform Changes Everything
Built on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, the 2026 i3 represents a complete philosophical reset. Gone are the polarizing kidney grilles and aggressive angles that defined recent BMWs. Instead, the design features a sleek sedan with integrated headlight bands and restrained proportions that recall the brand’s elegant past while housing cutting-edge electric architecture. This platform also underpins the recently revealed iX3 SUV, signaling BMW’s unified approach to electric design language.
Performance Specs Target Every Tesla Trim
The i3 lineup attacks Tesla’s Model 3 range systematically:
- Base i3 20 and i3 40 models handle daily driving duties
- The i3 50 brings serious acceleration
- The range-topping i3 M60 xDrive unleashes 630 horsepower through dual motors and all-wheel drive
BMW’s sixth-generation battery technology enables that stunning 560-mile range in top trims, finally answering range anxiety with excess capacity. The platform integrates BMW’s Panoramic Vision head-up display, which projects essential driving information across the windshield, merging traditional gauges with augmented-reality interfaces.
Charging Speed Rewrites the Rules
Here’s where BMW flexes hardest: 400kW DC fast charging capability crushes Tesla’s Supercharger speeds. Those 350 kilometers gained in 10 minutes mean cross-country trips become genuinely practical. The i3 also features bidirectional charging, letting you power your house during outages—functionality Tesla still hasn’t mastered.
“With the Neue Klasse, we have embarked on the biggest investment in the company’s history,” says BMW’s Frank Weber. “We are not just writing the next chapter of BMW; we’re writing a whole new book.”
The i3 launches in 2026, with a high-performance iM3 variant following in 2027. After years of playing catch-up in electrification, BMW finally has ammunition to challenge Tesla’s luxury sedan dominance—and the specs suggest they’re not messing around.
