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BMW i3 sedan (Neue Klasse): 800+ km WLTP, under €60k by 2026

© A. Krivonosov
Explore the new BMW i3 sedan in the Neue Klasse: 800+ km WLTP range, price under €60,000, 2026 debut, Touring and iM3 variants, 4695 cells, M-level performance.
Michael Powers, Editor

BMW is pressing ahead with its Neue Klasse electric lineup. Following the success of the iX3 crossover, the company is preparing the i3 sedan, positioned as a more attainable option that still promises an impressive driving range.

According to Autocar, the new BMW i3 will use a smaller-capacity battery than the iX3. Even so, thanks to improved aerodynamics and lower energy consumption, it is expected to cover more than 800 km on the WLTP cycle. In practice, that would deliver a range comparable to the iX3 while targeting a price below €60,000—an equation likely to appeal to buyers who don’t want to trade affordability for distance.

The Neue Klasse architecture adopts new 4695 cylindrical cells, boosting energy efficiency and cutting weight. The i3 will retain the Vision Neue Klasse design language, with clean surfacing, slim lighting, and the brand’s signature twin-kidney grille—styling that should give it instant recognition without shouting about it.

The lineup will include a Touring version aimed at family buyers, as well as a sport-focused iM3 with four electric motors. BMW says the newcomer’s performance will be on par with the brand’s storied M models, signaling that the switch to electric power won’t blunt the marque’s character.

The new BMW i3 is expected to debut in 2026 and is set to be a major player among premium electric sedans, blending technology, efficiency, and a more accessible price. If these targets carry through to production, the result looks compelling.