BREAKING: BMW has unveiled the all-new 3 Series, in the form of the i3, the company’s brand new electric car. While the i3 is first to come out of the blocks, the rest of the 3 Series will be unveiled as time goes by. Therefore don’t think that the new 3 Series will be electric only. No. there will be other powertrains, including normal petrol, Hybrid and probably diesel. In some markets they might even get hydrogen power.
Neue Klasse is a phrase BMW has thrown around for decades, with varying degrees of emphasis. This time around it defines the looks of the new-generation of cars from Bavaria. This new 3 Series is the second of such cars, following in the rear bumper of the all-new iX3. I find the car in pictures to be very attractive with this boxy shape. In fact, it reminds me of the old E30 series of BMWs that came out in the 1980s.
Here in Mzansi we are only interested in three propulsion systems; petrol, diesel, Hybrid and electric (EV). The new 3 Series will be begin production later this year via BMW’s main Plant in Munich, Germany. European sales will follow before the end of 2026 and Mzansi will get our first public and media cars in the first quarter of 2027. Again, we don’t know what kind of powertrains will be arriving here first.
Nevertheless we can tell you that the i3 50 xDrive has two motors driving both front and rear axles. As such, maximum power has been announced as 345kW and 645Nm. Through the new 800V electric architecture, BMW claims its biggest-ever electric range yet, at 900km. We certainly look forward to testing these 900km range claims in due course. What should be exciting to fans of the brand is that this is not even the most powerful version of the new 3 Series. There is still an M3 coming, in both petrol (probably Hybrid) and full electric (EV).
