This is likely to be a preview of the new design for the 3er family.
The leaked image of the new BMW i3 was not accidental. Bavarian automaker, BMW, unveils the new electric sedan. It will only be made and sold in China. The i3 is likely to preview design changes for the 3 Series facelift. But the most important news is that this is the first ever production battery-powered 3 Series.
The official name of the electric sedan is i3 eDrive35L. It uses the latest generation of electric drive systems from the manufacturer. These components are shared with the BMW iX3, BMW i4, BMW iX, and BMW iX. Peak output is 281 horsepower (210 Kilowatts) with 295 pound-feet (405 Newton-meters), of instant torque. These figures allow for a sprint of 0-62 miles per hours (0-100 km per hour) in 6.2 seconds.
BMW claims that the battery pack can provide a range of up to 327 miles (or 526 km) on a single charge. This number is based on the CLTC regime which is usually very generous. The actual range between two charges will likely be much lower. A DC charger can charge up to 95 kilowatts. This means that charging between 10 and 80 percent will take approximately 35 minutes.
BMW does not release large photos of the vehicle (frankly this is one the worst media galleries we have ever seen in years) and we don’t know much about its interior. The EV premium sedan’s luggage compartment is 14.5 cubic feet (405 liters), which is slightly less than the 17 cuft (480 liters) model. The latest software version of BMW’s infotainment program and the company’s Digital Key feature are also available to the interior. There is no mention of software updates that can be done over-the-air.
BMW claims the vehicle was designed specifically for China and that the suspension has been adjusted to Chinese road conditions. The electric sedan with zero emissions will be built at the BMW Brilliance plant, Lydia, Shenyang. Some components have been adapted to local requirements.