BMW i3 revealed with 900km range due in Australia early 2027

BMW has pulled the wraps off the 2027 i3, the first fully electric 3 Series, at a world premiere in Munich today. Australian deliveries are confirmed for early 2027, with the sedan riding on the same Neue Klasse platform as the recently revealed iX3.

At launch, one variant will be offered: the i3 50 xDrive. Key specs at a glance:

• Power/torque: 345kW / 645Nm (dual motor, all-wheel drive)
• 0-100km/h: Under five seconds (estimated)
• Range: 900km (WLTP, provisional)
• Battery: 108.7kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt
• DC charging: Up to 400kW - adds 400km in 10 minutes
• AC charging: Up to 22kW
• Dimensions: 4760mm long, 1865mm wide, 1480mm tall, 2897mm wheelbase

That 900km figure would make it Australia's longest-range EV, nudging ahead of the Volvo EX60's 810km claim. On paper it could drive Sydney to Melbourne on a single charge.

The 800-volt electrical architecture enables the rapid charging, while BMW says the sixth-generation battery cells are 20 per cent more energy dense than earlier units. Vehicle-to-load, vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid charging are all on board, though local availability of bidirectional functions is yet to be confirmed.

Inside, the cabin mirrors the iX3 with BMW's Panoramic iDrive system projected across a 43.3-inch panel at the base of the windscreen, plus a 17.9-inch touchscreen running BMW Operating System X. Physical controls are limited to stalks, a volume dial, window switches and a gear toggle.

Styling draws on 3 Series heritage. BMW designers cite the shark-nose front angle of the 1980s E21 and E30, plus the rear wheel arch lines of the E36. The traditional kidney grilles are gone, replaced by wide black panels with four bands of LED light.

Australian pricing hasn't been confirmed, but expect a starting figure around $100,000 using the $109,900 iX3 50 xDrive as a benchmark. A rear-wheel drive i3 40 with a smaller battery could arrive later at a lower price point.

Production starts in Munich from August 2026.