BMW reveals the new Neue Klasse BMW 3 Series including a brand new all-electric BMW i3
Published on Oct 01, 2026 at 10:06 PM (UTC-4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Oct 01, 2026 at 10:06 PM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
The new Neue Klasse BMW 3 Series is finally here, and it comes in two flavors, including an electric powertrain.
You also have a few internal combustion engine options, and there’s a hybrid, too.
BMW also made a strategic decision with this car.
And it tells us everything we need to know about its electric future.
BMW is doing things right
Some people, including prominent CEOs, are convinced that European automakers are already doomed when it comes to EVs.
Numbers seem to suggest they have a point.
You have to scroll a long way down the list of top 25 best-selling EVs in the world to find European automakers.
Some are even struggling to sell cars in their own homeland.
But BMW is doing things better than most with its Neue Klasse vehicles.
They have a clear strategy and a design that, despite the criticism for the mega grille at the front, evidently works.
The new 3 Series is the perfect example.
The new 3 Series is (also) electric
Rather than creating a convoluted lineup of vehicles, the automaker simplified everything by giving us one 3 Series.
The eight-generation 3 Series is one model, but there are several variants.
If you want the internal combustion engine, you can opt for the 318, 320 and M350 xDrive, with 156, 211, and 443 horsepower respectively.
Alternatively, you can opt for the electric variant, which is available with either 374 or 469 horsepower, 710 or 912 kilometers (441, 567 miles) of range.
And yep, this means that the most powerful 3 Series is indeed electric.
Although we’re assuming an M3 model will also be available at some point.
Orders opened on September 30, 2026, with first deliveries anticipated around late 2026 to early 2027.
Not to be confused with the other i3
Like most manufacturers, BMW is ‘recycling’ old names.
The original i3 was a quirky, boxy electric car (below) unveiled well over a decade ago.
It was an experiment, and it went well.
It remained in production for nearly 10 years and over 250,000 units were sold.
After being discontinued in 2022, the German manufacturer waited a token interval – four years – before reusing the old name for the new electric 3 Series.
This also means there won’t be a second-gen i3.
Pity, it was a cool car.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
