BMW i3 range to grow fast: cheaper RWD 40, M60 and electric M3 all coming

BMW’s new electrical 3 Sequence won’t remain a one-variant lineup for prolonged.

Correct months after the dual-motor i3 50 xDrive launch mannequin arrives in Australia in early 2027, BMW will like a flash make bigger the i3 fluctuate with a much less expensive rear-wheel pressure mannequin and a hotter M Performance variant.

Plus, there’s a utterly electrical M3 on the approach — even though combustion variations of the 3 Sequence, seemingly with four- or six-cylinder energy, are plight for renewal later with similar styling.

Talking with Chasing Cars at the worldwide debut of the i3 in Munich, BMW executives confirmed that the Neue Klasse sedan has been engineered from the outset to augment a enormous unfold of battery sizes, chemistries, and performance levels.

That flexibility for the electrical i3, in conjunction with a commitment to petrol and hybrid variations, will underpin what’s shaping up to be one among the broadest 3 Sequence lineups ever.

More cost effective i3 40 rear-wheel pressure mannequin to e-book growth

The first addition to the i3 lineup after the launch of the 50 xDrive may be the 40 grade — a extra affordable rear-wheel pressure variant that is predicted to enter production in November 2026, three months after the production line begins up for the 50.

BWM says the 40 will contemplate the upcoming iX3 40 midsize SUV in combining a smaller battery, single motor, diminished weight, and lower mark.

“We may presumably well roll this out to the i3,” said BMW Neue Klasse boss Mike Reichelt. “On the various aspect, (we can) bring the i3 with a smaller battery pack however with a greater entry mark.”

The i3 40 is predicted to make narrate of an 82kWh (usable) nickel manganese cobalt battery — down about 24-percent on the 50’s 108kWh NMC pack.

While the 40 won’t bring as noteworthy fluctuate as the 50 xDrive’s 900km (WLTP) estimate, the 40’s diminished weight (down round 200kg) may presumably well moreover silent watch it bring electrical fluctuate of round 700km.

Rear-wheel pressure is predicted to be typical in Australia for the i3 40, with single-motor outputs within the plan of 235kW/500Nm, even though xDrive AWD will most likely be a mark option for the 40 in some markets.

Modular batteries originate the door to future i3 variants

The like a flash rollout of i3 variants will most likely be made that that you just can presumably moreover factor in by BMW’s sixth-generation battery plot, which has been designed round a modular “construction kit”.

Head of BMW battery production Markus Fallböhmer said the identical battery housing can accommodate numerous numbers of cylindrical cells and even numerous chemistries.

“You would moreover set apart it fully elephantine of cells; that you just can presumably moreover moreover decrease the selection of cells and decrease the kilowatt-hours,” said Fallböhmer.

While the i3 launches with NMC battery packs, which are vitality dense and extra resistant to cool climate, BMW may presumably well be at the second attempting out lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in Germany in preparation to introduce much less expensive LFP i3 models in future.

LFP is mostly extra sturdy than NMC and resists charging to 100% extra in most cases. Fallböhmer said i3 models with LFP batteries would silent permit extremely-posthaste, 800-volt charging speeds.

BMW insiders counsel that an i3 20 variant is on the approach a while after 2027.

Extra extremely efficient i3 M60 M Performance mannequin and electrical M3 are on the approach

On the various stop of the fluctuate, BMW is preparing a minimal of two increased performance i3 variants.

While a six-cylinder petrol M3 will most likely be retained for fanatic merchants, BMW is having a bet on rising hobby in ‘hot’ electrical automobiles in future, and an electrical M3 will join the lineup within the upcoming years.

The iM3 will narrate a bespoke NMC battery tune known as “originate-to-performance” succesful of sustained punishment — excessive energy outputs and excessive recharging speeds — over maximum riding fluctuate.

The vitality density of the electrical M3’s battery is mostly diminished from 108kWh to ramp up energy output and input capabilities.

Within the meantime, an i3 M Performance grade — seemingly badged i3 M60 and slotting in as a halfway residence between the i3 50 xDrive and electrical M3 — is coming.

“We fetch likely to uplift within the M Performance stage,” said Reichelt.