2023 BMW i3: Electric BMW 3 Series revealed for China

The popular BMW 3 Series has gone electric at last, but it’s not for us: this new 2023 BMW i3, the latest in BMW’s growing EV range, is a Chinese-market prospect only.

That’s unlikely to bother the local division of BMW too much, however: Australian buyers with a preference for sedans can look to the new i4 liftback – an electric 4 Series Gran Coupe – while the increasing number of motorists leaning towards SUVs can get into the iX3 or the even more advanced iX.

That doesn’t mean The West will never see an electric 3 Series, but it’s likely to be the result of the anticipated ‘Neue Klasse’, expected in 2025.

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Taking over the badge worn by the soon-to-be-retired i3 hatch – BMW’s first mass-market electric offering, launched way back in 2013 – this new ‘G28’ i3 sedan gets tweaked styling and rides on the longer wheelbase used exclusively by the Chinese market (where rear comfort is a top priority).

Styling highlights include new headlights, a subtly reshaped ‘grille’ with closed-off panels, a new front bumper similar in design to the new M240i coupe’s angular front end, and aerodynamic alloy wheels.

Although not announced, these styling changes are likely to be mirrored by the petrol-powered 3 Series when it comes in for a mid-life update this year – expected sometime around July.

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As with the iX SUV and the i4, the i3’s cabin sees the introduction of a big new display area. Like most brands offering a similar look, this system is made up of two 12.3-inch screens meeting end-to-end. Expect this upgrade to feature in the updated 3 Series petrol models, too.

In eDrive35L form – the only variant on offer for now – the i3 sedan gets a 70kWh battery pack, matched to a single electric motor delivering 210kW and 400Nm of torque. Tested to the Chinese standard, BMW claims a driving range of 526 kilometres between charges.

The i3 offers DC fast charging up to 95kW, allowing it to go from 10 to 80 per cent charge in 35 minutes.

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In Australia, the iX3 features an 80kWh battery pack for a 460km (WLTP tested) driving range, and a DC fast charging rate of up to 150kW.

The i4 liftback gets an 84kWh pack capable of up to 200kW fast charging, with a driving range of 590km in eDrive40 form and 510km in M50i form.

Learn more about both models at the links below.