It is a BMW i3but not as we know…
After being applied to a futuristic-thinking electric city hatchback, the i3 badge has been brought back on an electric version of the 3 Series sedan for the Chinese market.
The i3 eDrive35L will likely remain a China-only car, given that it is based on that market’s long-wheelbase 3 Series rather than the conventional wheelbase model offered everywhere else in the world.
Under the skin is a 70kWh lithium-ion battery pack, combined with a single electric motor 210kW power and 400Nm of torque.
That’s a 10kWh reduction for a lithium-ion battery in electricity iX3 The SUV is sold in Australia, although both cars share the same power and torque.
The new requested range is 526km Measured according to generous Chinese standards.
The nose of the car has been changed with the headlights mounted more neatly with the X3 and X4 compared to the model before the update.
The front bumper has a more angular look once again reflective of the new X3, along with 2 Series coupewhile at the rear there is also a redesigned rear bumper.
Inside, it has the same OS8.0 infotainment system currently in iX SUV and i4 Gran Coupe. In those models, this instrument cluster has a size of 12.3 inches and a touch screen of 14.9 inches.
While the i3 probably won’t come to Australia, it does indicate what we can expect from the upgraded 2023 BMW 3 Series.
The current 3 Series only arrives in Australia in 2019, so we don’t expect this mid-cycle update to arrive any earlier than 2022.
It’s likely we’ll finally see an all-electric 3 Series in Australia. BMW is said to be developing a All-electric 3-Series sedan on Neue Klasse . architecture due in 2025.
Autocar reports that the sedan, codenamed NK1, will be positioned as an electric alternative to the next-generation 3 Series just as Porsche will simultaneously offer Macan and the new, unrelated Macan EV.
Unlike the i3 sedan, i4 and i5 and i7 that are about to be revealed, the NK1 is said to burn its own path.
It is set to receive an “electric-centric” design with unique proportions and fresh styling elements, along with a flat interior floor and a longer wheelbase typical of dedicated electric vehicles. .
All new electric BMWs from 2025 onwards will use the Neue Klasse architecture, with this architecture eventually replacing today’s FAAR and CLAR architectures.
