BMW i3 Neue Klasse Sedan Spied For The First Time

BMW’s Neue Klasse initiative marks a pivotal chapter for the Bavarian brand, with at least six fully electric models set to launch by 2028. Among these, the BMW i3 sedan stands out as one of the most anticipated—a fully electric counterpart to the popular 3 Series. It’s scheduled to hit showrooms in 2026, a year after the iX3 SUV. Now, for the first time, we’ve caught a proper prototype undergoing real-world testing.

Spotted on public roads in Germany, the camouflaged tester doesn’t stray far from the visual language of the Vision Neue Klasse concept presented in 2023. Predictably, however, the production model dials down the concept’s more dramatic flourishes in favor of something more road-ready, without losing its edge. BMW itself has described the styling as “clear, elegant, and timeless,” with subtle nods to the clean(er) lines of the E30, the 3.0 CSL, and even the 2002.

More: BMW’s Neue Klasse Design Is Coming To All ICE Models

At the front, the EV keeps the concept’s signature shark-nose profile but adapts it with larger, more conventional-looking LED headlights nestled into a wide, a wide yet relatively low-slung kidney grille—a welcome departure from the disproportionately oversized grilles that have plagued recent BMW designs. Another notable detail is the hood, beneath which lies a secondary trunk (or frunk), seen ajar during testing.

From the side, the prototype’s flared wheel arches could almost be mistaken for a high-performance M car if it weren’t for the no-nonsense wheels and high-profile tires clearly built for testing duties. Other production-ready elements include a more conventional greenhouse, functional mirrors, pop-out door handles, and subtly reshaped bumpers.

At the rear, provisional high-mounted taillights hint at the final design but are expected to be replaced by sleeker LED clusters as the car inches closer to production readiness.

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BMW Vision Neue Klasse Concept

High Tech Interior

The prototype’s interior remains under cover, but we know that production model will debut BMW’s full-width Panoramic Vision display, stretching across the base of the windshield. This will be paired with an unconventionally shaped infotainment touchscreen. While the Vision Neue Klasse concept featured colorful, avant-garde materials in its four-seat configuration, the production car is expected to tone this down in favor of a more traditional, practical five-seat layout—because, as always, function has to follow form when the rubber meets the road.

Powertrains And Range

The new i3 sedan will be the second model to leverage BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, debuting just after the iX3 SUV. An entry-level single-motor variant is rumored to deliver around 300 hp, while dual-motor configurations will up the ante for those craving more grunt.

At the top of the lineup, a halo model from the BMW M division could redefine performance EVs entirely, with rumors swirling around a quad-motor system producing a staggering 1,341 hp. If that sounds ambitious, so too does BMW’s claim that its next-gen batteries will enable over 800 km (500 miles) of range while offering lightning-fast charging capabilities. These technological strides are essential if BMW hopes to edge out not just Tesla but a growing list of challengers from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and beyond.

More: BMW’s Next ICE M3 Is A Mild Hybrid, Not A PHEV Like The Heavyweight M5

Interestingly, the i3 sedan will coexist with the combustion-powered 3 Series for the foreseeable future, reflecting BMW’s measured approach to electrification. Its direct competitors will include the Audi A4 e-tron, the forthcoming electric successor to the Mercedes C-Class, and—inevitably—the Tesla Model 3, the world’s best selling sedan.

As development of the Neue Klasse models accelerates, expect to see more prototypes emerge on European roads in the coming months.

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