2027 BMW i3/iM3 Models And Options Surface

BMW is cooking up a next-generation 3 Series for launch next year, and this time regular ICE and plug-in hybrid models will be joined by a separate electric model dubbed the i3. We say separate as the i3 will use the long-awaited Neue Klasse dedicated EV platform, while models still with a gas engine under the hood will use an updated version of the current 3 Series’ CLAR platform.

Both the i3 and regular 3 Series will also have their own high-performance variants developed by the M division. The ICE model will stick with the vaunted M3 badge, while the electric model will introduce the new iM3 badge – as originally reported by CarBuzz. We now have what appear to be official details on all of these models, thanks to a leak.

Electric 3 Series Arrives As Soon As Next Year

A usually accurate member of the Bimmerpost forum recently posted production schedules, along with planned grades and options for the i3 and iM3. Crucially, many of the details – including the timing – align with what BMW has previously indicated.

Camouflaged prototypes for the i3 and iM3 have been spotted in the wild for more than a year, and according to the latest leaked information, the i3 will enter production in July 2026 (November for US-spec models), and the iM3 in March 2027. Production will initially be handled exclusively at BMW’s main plant in Munich, Germany, with the i3 expected to expand to the San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico after a year. Production will reportedly run until late 2034 at both plants.

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The i3 will reportedly have 20, 40, 50, and M60 grades, with all but the 20 offering all-wheel drive. The iM3 will launch with a single trim, at least initially. Available features for the i3 will include an illuminated kidney grille (Iconic Glow), multifunction seats currently limited to the 5 Series and up, and 19-inch wheels. The iM3 will come standard with 20-inch wheels, along with optional carbon-ceramic brake rotors and new natural-fiber components. These flax-based materials replace carbon fiber for lightweighting and offer a more environmentally friendly alternative.

According to the source, powertrain specifications won’t be finalized until closer to production, but the iM3 is expected to deliver around 700 horsepower from a quad-motor setup. More powerful variants may follow after launch.

Neue Klasse Platform In Detail

The i3 will be the second BMW to use the Neue Klasse platform, following the iX3, which will join the X3 lineup and is scheduled to debut in September at the Munich Auto Show. The platform will offer improved performance and efficiency over BMW’s current EVs, along with faster charging via an 800-volt electrical system. Neue Klasse EVs will also switch to cylindrical battery cells – replacing BMW’s current prismatic design – which, combined with other advancements, should yield EPA-rated ranges of up to 400 miles for the iX3 and potentially more for the sleeker i3. Reportedly, battery sizes will include 75-, 90-, and 105-kilowatt-hour options.

The Neue Klasse platform also revamps BMW’s electrical and chassis control systems. A zonal architecture reduces the number of control units, cutting nearly 2,000 feet of wiring. This lowers weight and boosts efficiency, according to the automaker. BMW also unifies drivetrain and chassis controls into a single advanced system called the Heart of Joy.

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Neue Klasse EVs will introduce a new user interface, replacing traditional gauges with a head-up display that spans the base of the windshield. An available 3D augmented reality layer can project navigation and driving information – like floating arrows indicating turns – directly onto the road. The system also includes an AI voice assistant, steering wheel controls, and a large central touchscreen. This interface will eventually extend to BMW’s gas and plug-in hybrid models as well.

Source: Bimmerpost