BMW Is Bringing Back the i3 as an Electric Sedan That Goes Very Far

BMW will launch the revamped i3 in the first quarter of 2027 as a four-door electric sedan built on its Neue Klasse platform. The 2027 BMW i3 50 xDrive will start at $61,500 plus a $1,350 destination fee. BMW estimates 468 miles of range on EPA testing. The Verge

That range is among the longest for electric sedans sold in the United States. The i3 name is familiar. The car underneath is new. It shares no structural parts with the tall, carbon-bodied hatchback BMW sold last decade. It is the second Neue Klasse production model, after the iX3 50 xDrive. BMW Group

The car has all-wheel drive with two motors. The rear motor makes 322 horsepower and 321 lb-ft of torque. It creates magnetism with electric current instead of fixed magnets, so it can adjust to the load. The front motor makes 165 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque. It can rest with little drag when little power is needed. Combined output is 463 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque. BMW has not said how it splits power front to rear or manages heat.

Power comes from BMW's Gen6 high-voltage battery. It uses cylindrical lithium-ion cells, shaped like larger versions of household batteries. Each cell is 46 mm wide and 95 mm tall. BMW says they hold 20 percent more energy for their size than the older Gen5 flat cells. They pack tightly, shed heat well, and are easier to build by machine. More energy fits under the floor, which helps reach 468 miles without much extra weight.

Charging works in both directions. The car can run tools and appliances, which is vehicle-to-load, or help power a home, which is vehicle-to-home. It also supports Plug & Charge at 10 charging providers. That removes the app or card tap. You plug in and payment is handled in the background.

Inside, there is a 17.9-inch central touchscreen with Amazon's Alexa built in. Voice control handles music and media, directions, and smart-home devices through Alexa's current skills. No phone connection is needed.

The broader context here is simple. Long range, denser cells, two-way power, and automatic payment are coming together. No single item creates a new category. Together they make daily use easier. A 468-mile sedan makes charging stops rare. The battery can serve as backup for tools or part of a home. Plug & Charge removes a small annoyance in public charging.

In my view, worth flagging is how normal the rest of the car is. Pricing fits BMW's premium range. The motors, cells, and controls use proven designs. I have watched my own children go from seeing EVs as novelties to treating chargers as background, once the cars stopped asking for special behavior. The i3 follows that pattern. It allows long electric trips and home power use without asking the driver to learn a new routine.