BMW’s New Class development program is gathering pace, and the latest evidence comes from northern Sweden. A new series of photos show the 2026 BMW i3 electric sedan (codename NA0) in deep winter testing, likely near Arjeplog, where BMW has been evaluating cold-weather durability for decades. What makes this sighting notable is the lighter camouflage: parts of the production headlights and more body surfaces are visible for the first time, suggesting the i3 is transitioning from early mule to near-production prototype.
This model will be BMW’s all-electric successor to the 3 Series, but is not based on a modified version of the current G20 3 Series. Instead, it is based on the Neue Klasse platform, a purpose-built EV architecture designed from the ground up for efficiency, software integration and performance.
Production begins in July 2026 in Munich
Series production is scheduled to begin in July 2026 at the BMW plant in Munich, which will be converted into a special EV system. US models are scheduled to roll off the assembly line in November 2026. A performance-oriented i3 M60 xDrive is planned for spring 2027.
Although BMW hasn’t officially confirmed the equipment structure, early product plans suggest a multi-tiered lineup that includes everything from an entry-level single-engine version to the high-performance M60 xDrive flagship. The i3 50 xDrive is widely expected to be the launch variant in the United States, with the i3 40 xDrive and M60 models joining in the months following its debut.
New batteries and motors
Under the skin of the i3 is BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive system. This new generation introduces cylindrical battery cells, an 800-volt electrical architecture and revised electric motors. The improvements are significant: BMW claims significantly higher energy density, faster charging and higher overall powertrain efficiency compared to today’s prismatic cell systems. In the iX3, the same battery technology supports peak charging powers of up to 405 kW and, under ideal conditions, covers around 350 kilometers WLTP (175 miles EPA) in around ten minutes.
The i3 sedan benefits from slimmer aerodynamics and a lower center of gravity and is expected to match or even exceed the SUV’s range, which stands at 800 km WLTP and 400 miles EPA. North American models will use the NACS port, providing access to Tesla’s Supercharger network from launch.
Brand new interior design
Inside, the i3 will showcase BMW’s next step in digital design: the new iDrive X operating system. The interface is cleaner and more intuitive and is supported by BMW’s Panoramic Vision display, which projects important information onto the lower part of the windshield. A large 17.9-inch central display anchors the cabin and the redesigned steering wheel features haptic controls to reduce screen dependency. The materials will reflect BMW’s increasing push towards sustainability, with renewable materials, lightweight structures and a lighting concept similar to the iX3.
Slightly different proportions than the petrol engine of the 3 Series
The exterior of this prototype reveals more than previous sightings. The headlights appear much closer to series production and adopt the slim, horizontal profile of the concept vehicle. The kidneys sit low and wide and are more naturally integrated into the front apron rather than dominating it. The retractable door handles, smoothed body lines and new aerodynamic wheel designs indicate a shape optimized for efficiency without losing the appearance expected of a sports sedan.
The camouflage still hides the final rear area surfaces and interpretation of the Hofmeister kink, but the overall proportions make it clear that BMW intends this to be an electric counterpart to the classic 3 Series silhouette. The ICE 3 series is still expected to get a slightly longer hood to accommodate four- and six-cylinder engines.
The i3 enters a segment that has matured quickly. BMW is taking direct aim at the Tesla Model 3, the Polestar 2 and the next wave of compact electric sedans from Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The i3 50 xDrive is positioned to compete with the Model 3 Long Range in both performance and price, while the M60 xDrive will take on more powerful rivals such as the Model 3 Performance and Lucid Air Pure.
With a starting price of around $50,000 in the US, the i3 would sit exactly where the 330i stands today – a strategic move that maintains familiarity with customers switching from an internal combustion engine to an electric drive.
