The 2027 BMW i3 represents a major shift for the famed German automaker. While the car we’re discussing here is fully electric, the range will soon grow to include gasoline-fueled models under the long-running 3 Series sedan umbrella. The 2027 i3 was previewed by the well-received Neue Klasse concept, and much of what was new and exciting about the conceptual vehicle has made it into production, including the squat shape with much more subdued exterior detailing than BMW’s current lineup.
2027 BMW i3 Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2027 BMW i3
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2027 BMW i3
Everything about the 2027 BMW i3 is new, though the sedan does share much of its structure with the iX3 crossover. Like its SUV-shaped sibling, the i3 sedan uses an all-new 800-volt electrical architecture that offers many advantages over older EV technology. Although BMW previously sold a vehicle in the United States that wore the same i3 badge, this new machine bears no resemblance to the older electric hatchback.
Design
BMW has been known to push styling boundaries in the past. While the new 2027 i3 looks exciting and new, it could very well be described as a sort of reset for BMW when it comes to both interior and exterior design. In place of bold, expressive, and polarizing front grilles and fasciae, the 2027 i3 wears crisp and clean lines. These are accentuated by a grille that’s defined with straight-edged lines and unique lighting signatures. BMW fans needn’t worry that the German brand is rejecting its roots–the kidney-shaped grille remains, as does that automaker’s signature Hofmeister kink.
While some competitors, notably including the Audi A6, have unveiled electric sedans with bottom-heavy designs due in part to the large battery packs that make up the floor below the passenger compartment, the 2027 BMW i3 looks very well-proportioned. With short front and rear overhangs and a long wheelbase, the i3 introduces a sleekly modern design language that will spread across the rest of the automaker’s lineup in the coming years.
Powertrain
The 2027 BMW i3 50 xDrive, which is the only variant that BMW has announced so far, features electric motors powering the front and rear axles separately. Combined output for the 50 xDrive model stands at 463 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque. BMW has not released battery specifications, but the all-wheel-drive (AWD) sedan is predicted to deliver up to 440 miles of range per charge (based on BMW’s internal testing, which is based on the standard that the EPA uses for range estimates).
A newly developed four-zone electrical architecture powered by what the automaker calls “superbrains” and its “Heart of Joy”–again, those are BMW’s words, not ours–that respond to data supplied by sensors mounted all over the car 10 times faster than previous models from BMW. Those quick-thinking computers ought to result in a responsive driving experience, though we’ll have to wait until we get a stint behind the wheel to pass any judgment.
Interior
The 2027 BMW i3’s interior is just as groundbreaking for the automaker as its striking exterior design. A so-called 17.9-inch Free-Cut Design Central Display touchscreen that is angled toward the driver houses BMW’s latest infotainment technology. Perhaps even more interesting is the Panoramic Vision display that replaces a traditional gauge cluster, runs the entire length of the dashboard, and puts necessary and useful information directly in front of the driver’s eyes. An optional 3D Head-Up Display projects additional information onto the windshield.
Electronic wizardry aside, the rest of the BMW i3’s interior looks modern and elegant. BMW will offer the 2027 i3 with multiple interior design packages that combine complementing colors and textures. An odd four-spoke steering wheel is included, but more traditional units will also be offered.
Technology
In addition to the uniquely shaped Free-Cut Design Central Display and Panoramic Vision Display, the 2027 i3 will feature BMW’s Operating System X infotainment system. With BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which combines touch, haptic, and voice-based interactions between the driver and the car, BMW says the 2027 i3 can make proactive suggestions based on usage behavior, driving situations, environmental analysis, and interior recognition. For drivers who don’t want that much interaction, BMW says its software will only make such suggestions if the driver desires them.
The BMW i3 will be able to act as a mobile power bank that can provide up to 3.7 kW of power to charge external devices. It’s also capable of bi-directional charging, which means the i3 can work in conjunction with the BMW Wallbox and solar panels to act as a portable battery to reduce charging and household electrical bills or even be configured to feed power back into the public power grid.
BMW’s Digital Key Plus tech can use smartphones or watches from all major manufacturers (which includes Apple, Google and Samsung) in place of a traditional key. Due to the i3’s ability to accept over-the-air updates, BMW says the car will improve over time.
