Official unveil 18th of March
First drive of disguised car here.
(1) Will the all-new 2027 BMW 3 Series be a big hit? BMW i3 FIRST DRIVE! - YouTube
If the IX3 is anything to go by it's going to be a big hit for BMW, assuming people still want saloons.
Nice to see a new model that isn't another SUV/crossover. I'm assuming this is going to be priced starting at around the high 50s or low 60s similar to the Audi A5? If they price it at a premium over the PHEV versions like the i5 v 5 Series then they will sell none. Touring version should be a nice alrounder.
On a side note I read somewhere that the i4 will the phased out towards the end of next year and there are no plans to directly replace it in the US at least anyway. I'd imagine they will offer some sort of fastback version of this i3 in Europe and maybe stick the i3 Gran Coupe badge on it?
I’d guess 50x drive launch model will be mid 60’s starting off and the lower power variants in the 50’s
The ix3 is cheaper comparatively to the combustion x3 so hopefully this will be similar.
900km range wltp expected on the 50 model apparently
You had me at i3 (ie The original i3)
This is just another uninspired/phone it in…. BMW design…..
https://g50.bimmerpost.com/beta/showthread.php?t=2233279
leaked pictures of new 3 series
Looks nice. Wonder will it have a massive battery too to get a decent range
By all accounts the ix3 is matching if not exceeding the WLTP so for the i3 that would mean Letterkenny to Cork return without refueling, that's serious range.
Certainly beats the 90km range I have in my 11 year old leaf 24 !
Quite close to the neue klasse design concept
Great to see that BMW - my favourite car make - is coming out of the electrification alive and well. That gobshite diesel lover Harald Krüger nearly brought the company down after their amazing start 12-13 years ago with the i3 and i8
interior is identical design to ix3.
same battery as ix3 so they are saying over 900km wltp range
Still be stopping every 250 kms for a variety for reasons, so it's somewhat academic really, but does make a good headline, and be perfect for Neville who heard from a man down the pub that you have to keep your battery between 20-80% at all times, otherwise FIRE.
I got a chance to look around it a while ago.
Best looking BMW in a generation. I want one!
I like it a lot, can’t wait to see a touring. Or an i5 touring on this platform. Blows the i4 out of the water on price, range, design.
It's on the bmw.ie website. Obviously no pricing yet. i4 starts from €63k. So i3 starting from €55k maybe for base model? If only a few grand cheaper than i4, it will qualify for the SEAI grant.
Good looking car but looks quite small. Bootlid looks quite short. How does it compare size-wise with the current ICE 3 series ?
I would guess you’re in the right ball park for sure at early to mid fifties. I guess the 50 x drive msport will be mid to high sixties.
it’s a couple of inches longer and inch and a half wider than current 3 series apparently. Also slightly taller. Cars always get bigger with each new model it seems..
Perhaps but you won't be stung by the fast charging CPO's half the time.
horrendous steering wheel though 😵
other than that I like it.
Was thinking the MB CLA next. But this will be in contention.
Really gorgeous looking car! Looks like it takes everything that's reviewing well about the iX3 and puts it in a 3-series.
I'll probably prefer an iX3 myself as I like a higher/upright sitting position, but I'll have to give this a look in person when it arrives
circa 900 km range, and to start in UK at around £47k
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/electric-cars/electric-3-series-revealed-bmw-i3-brings-559-miles-range
I agree its not nice at all. The cheaper versions seemingly will come with a nicer 2 spoke steering wheel.
Have not seen any pictures of that yet though.
As for the car I think its boring with an ugly steering wheel and dash. It will be crazy money do so maybe we will not see that many of them anyway.
Isn't it the point that it won't be crazy money at all?
It's coming in lower than the ICE 3-series I thought I saw.
It's no match to a Leapmotor, but I'd drive this ;-)
There are apparently 4 separate steering wheel options, available at any level of trim. Not sure what they all look like but the iX3 offers these, so they're probably very similar if not identical for the i3:
BMW have said the i3 will be around the same price as the existing hybrid 3-series in the UK, so if that holds true in Ireland (although our base trim levels can often differ from the UKs) it'll be around €59k - which is indeed cheaper than the current ICE 3-series
Base specs on Irish and UK BMWs have been pretty much the same for many years now as we get cars from the same allocation as the UK due to BMW Ireland and BMW UK being the same importer for both countries. Where a lot of UK cars come with higher specs is around the options packs and equipment due to us having to pay VRT on options and the UK don't.
Yep. Pretty much since Frank Keane sold the Irish distributorship back to BMW in the early 00s if memory serves me right
Indeed and because of that the base "Paddy" spec actually improved on them here.
