The Chinese-spec BMW i3 sedan and iX3 SUV have hit the spotlight at the Auto China expo. Compared to their European counterparts, both electric cars are stretched so that their wheelbase is over 3 meters (117 inches) long and come packed with market-specific features. Both are slated to go on sale in Q4 2026.
Exterior changes are few, unless you count the more traditional door handles. Inside, the infotainment system runs on Huawei hardware and software and features a virtual assistant powered by AI solutions provided by Deepseek and Alibaba. The rear bench seat benefits from a taller back and a longer base, while the front passenger’s seat has a convenient footrest. Both vehicles come with an advanced LiDAR-based ADAS package co-developed with a local IT startup, Momenta.
The BMW i3 saloon for China has only been announced with one powertrain so far. It comprises two motors sending a total of 469 PS (463 hp / 345 kW) and 645 Nm (476 lb-ft) of torque to the wheels. The iX3 SUV gets the same powertrain alongside a single-motor option delivering 315 PS (311 hp / 232 kW) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) at the rear end. Regardless of your other choices, BMW claims over 900 kilometers (559 miles) of CLTC range for both models.
