BMW is getting ready for a huge change. The company finished building its first test versions of the new i3 electric sedan at its main factory in Munich. These cars are not for sale yet. Instead, workers are using them to make sure the assembly line works perfectly before thousands of cars start rolling out to customers in 2026. The Munich plant has been the home of the gas-powered 3 Series for 50 years, and soon, the electric i3 will take center stage in that historic building.
The new BMW i3 is a major part of what the company calls the “Neue Klasse” or New Class. Unlike older models that were just gas cars with the engines swapped out for electric motors, the i3 is built differently. It uses a new 800V system that allows it to charge much faster. Drivers will be able to add about 230 miles of range in just 10 minutes when using a high-powered charger.
The new BMW i3 – source: BMW
Even though the test cars are covered in black-and-white camouflage patterns, we can see some big changes. The front of the car looks shorter than the gas-powered 3 Series we know today. This is because the electric parts take up less room under the hood. By moving the wheels closer to the corners, BMW made the inside of the car much bigger. Passengers will have more legroom and a flatter floor, making the cabin feel airy and comfortable.
The car also sits at a nice height. Usually, putting a heavy battery under the floor makes a car look tall and bulky. BMW designers worked hard to keep the i3 looking sleek and sporty. The car in the official photos has bigger wheels and bulky side panels, which suggests it might have the “M Sport” package fitted.
The new BMW i3 – source: BMW
The technology hidden under the body is what makes the i3 stand out. It uses new cylindrical battery cells that hold more energy than the old flat ones. We are still waiting for final numbers, but we believe the car could travel more than 497 miles on a single charge, putting it ahead of many other electric cars on the road today.
BMW plans to offer several versions of the i3. Some will have one motor and rear-wheel drive, while others will have two motors for all-wheel drive. There is even a high-performance M model in the works that could have four separate motors. That version might even play “fake” engine sounds through the speakers to make the driving experience more exciting for people who miss the roar of a gas engine.
The new BMW i3 – source: BMW
Plant manager Peter Weber says that building these first few cars is a “milestone.” Everything in the factory is now digitally connected to make sure the quality is top-notch.
The second half of 2026 is when the real fun begins. That is when full production starts, and the i3 will officially become the most important model in the BMW lineup. It has to compete with other popular EVs like the Tesla Model 3, so BMW is putting its best technology into this project. For fans of the brand, this is the moment the “Ultimate Driving Machine” truly plugs into the future.
Source