Electric BMW 3 Series: Game-changing looks and tech
The new electric BMW 3 Series has been pictured testing on roads around Germany.
As reported by Move Electric's sister title Autocar, the electric saloon is being readied to take on the Tesla Model 3 and next Mercedes-Benz CLA in 2026.
Expected to revive the i3 nameplate, the electric 3 Series will be the second model to use BMW's new Neue Klasse EV platform, following the launch of the closely-related iX3 SUV in 2025.
The platform will be equipped with 800V electrical hardware to allow it to keep up with the fastest-charging EVs on sale, while the batteries in the floorpan will be 20% more energy-dense than today's packs.
The prototype in these images has clearly been toned down for production, but it does retain the distinctive new kidney grilles, which wrap around the front of the car and house all the radars and cameras needed to facilitate next-generation advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
The ultra-slim slashes have been replaced, though, by more conventional LED headlights, and the front of the car has been softened slightly with the introduction of a full-width lower bumper.
The rear features a chunky lower splitter replaced by a more traditional bumper and circular brake light clusters swapped in for the substantial wrap-around LED bar that adorned the concept - although these could be temporary units put in place for testing only.
Camouflage prevents us from seeing many more details, but BMW's trademark Hofmeister kink is just visible ahead of the C-pillar and the concept's full-length panoramic roof looks to have been retained.
A bigger focus on aerodynamics, in combination with more efficient motors and new software, will boost range by up to 30%, BMW has said.
Like today's BMW 4 Series and BMW 5 Series, the next-generation 3 Series will be sold both with pure-electric and internal-combustion power, with BMW committed to maintaining a flexible powertrain offering across its line-up in the run-up to going all-electric.
