At a special event dedicated to the launch of the first Neue Klasse vehicle – the iX3 SUV – BMW also showed the upcoming i3 sedan. Board Chairman Oliver Zipse promised to launch it next year.
The fully electric i3 wore a white and blue wrap to the podium, but you could still discern its iconic proportions. The company reps said the colors were supposed to “emphasize its electric nature”. It also sported a rather sloped hood and a short rear overhang, as well as iX3-like headlights. In earlier comments, BMW said it was switching to the slim “twin-nostril” grille design for its future lineup, so we suppose the i3 looks a lot like its SUV cousin from the front.
The same is probably true for the powertrain options and technologies – the two EVs will likely have plenty in common in that department. The iX3 has so far only been announced with a dual-motor system capable of 469 PS (463 hp / 345 kW) and a 4.9-second standard sprint time. The i3 sedan should be even faster thanks to its lower drag ratio and curb weight. Last but least, BMW has already confirmed working on an M version for it.
According to Zipse, the i3 heralds a generational change for the current 3-Series. The new lineup will consist of electric and ICE cars alike, running on vastly different technologies but having a lot in common in terms of design.
The launch date remains secret.
