- A launch model 50 xDrive i3 comes with 469 hp
- The company says it is capable of 900 km (560 miles) WLTP range
- The Internet has been divided in its appearance.
We knew it was coming, but BMW has still managed to make a splash by unveiling its Neue Klasse i3 today, arguably the first all-electric 3 Series and probably the most important BMW in recent history.
The company said it was “the very essence” of the BMW brand and, as such, saw fit to equip the elegant four-door sedan with a huge 108 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery that is capable of just 560 miles.
Launching with the 50 xDrive variant, a twin-motor powertrain develops a combined system output of 469 PS and 645 Nm of torque for rapid acceleration and renowned BMW performance credentials.
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BMW also says its upcoming i3 offers “class-leading driving dynamics,” thanks to a new “superbrain” digital architecture and the Heart of Joy driving dynamics system that debuted on the iX3 electric SUV.
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These high-performance processors can process information and sensor data in milliseconds, meaning acceleration, braking and steering are more precise than any electric vehicle the company has produced to date.
The first trips of the iX3 already attest to how well the system works and feels behind the wheel.
What’s more, the 800V electrical architecture underpinning both Neue Klasse vehicles is capable of adding up to 250 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes with a 400 kW charger.
Inside, the new i3 takes a similar approach to the iX3, complete with the latest iDrive system and the huge panoramic vision strip that runs the full width of the windshield and projects customizable widgets in a black stripe.
There’s also an optional head-up display and the standard 17.9-inch center touchscreen that’s angled toward the driver.
In addition, BMW is strongly promoting voice assistants with artificial intelligence, thanks in part to its collaboration with Amazon and the subsequent integration of Alexa Plus within its vehicles.
Analysis: Styling that divides
At least to these eyes, BMW has hit the mark when it comes to the exterior styling of the upcoming i3. It manages to look modern and fresh, while offering enough subtle nods to some of the most attractive 3 Series models ever.
It’s low and wide, with short overhangs and aggressively flared wheel arches, while the kidney grille at the front has been reduced from its previous, ungainly proportions to something much more elegant.
But not everyone likes it. There is a general consensus among Instagram and Reddit users that it looks “Chinese” and that the back is not particularly beautiful.
But on the other hand, one Reddit user said it’s the “first genuinely new design language since Flame Surfacing by Chris Bangle,” one of the most controversial BMW designers in recent times.
One issue that hasn’t been criticized much is the 560-mile range, which puts BMW firmly in the lead in terms of range anxiety for potential customers.
In addition to this, the company has also confirmed that there will be an estate or estate version of the i3, as well as a high-performance M3 based on the same platform which BMW has already stated will “set a new standard” for electric performance.
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