First Official Technical Specifications Announced

Sizzling on the heels of a teaser picture launched hours in the past, BMW has some technical specs to share concerning the new i3 (NA0). Forward of its world premiere on March 18, the electrical sedan lets us in on a few of its secrets and techniques. Effectively, the next numbers are hardly a secret for anybody who’s had a have a look at the iX3’s spec sheet.

Certainly, the first-ever i3 sedan for international markets will inherit the dual-motor setup from its crossover sibling. BMW quotes an similar 463 horsepower and 476 pound-feet (645 Newton-meters) of torque. Nevertheless, we’re instructed these are provisional numbers. Consequently, some adjustments may happen when collection manufacturing begins within the second half of the 12 months. Predictably, the i3 will likely be powered by the corporate’s sixth-generation eDrive tech with all-new motors and spherical battery cells.

The Gen6 battery will help 400-kW charging courtesy of the 800-volt electrical structure pioneered by the iX3. BMW is retaining the vary determine to itself for now, however we’re keen to make an informed guess. Given how sedans sit decrease to the bottom and have sleeker our bodies, that ought to translate into extra vary than the higher-riding crossover.

The iX3 50 xDrive will go 805 kilometers (500 miles) on a single cost within the WLTP cycle. In america, it’ll go an estimated 644 kilometers (400 miles) earlier than the battery is depleted. The i3 ought to trump these numbers, although in all probability not by a lot. In fact, that’s offered the sedan makes use of the identical 108.7-kWh battery pack because the crossover.

Echoing the new iX3, the sedan will function a Tender Cease perform to ensure the “smoothest stopping course of within the historical past of the three Sequence, with out jerks and brake noise.” It’s primarily the newest in regenerative braking, slowing the automobile down whereas additionally topping up the battery. In doing so, the brake pads and rotors are anticipated to endure solely minimal put on.

When the iX3 broke cowl final September, BMW estimated that as a lot as 98% of braking could be dealt with by the regen perform fairly than the standard brakes. It ought to be the identical story for the i3 because it’s primarily the identical automobile in a unique physique model.

The brand new i3 sedan goes on sale in Europe later this 12 months and can arrive in the United States in 2027. Very similar to the iX3 lineup will develop to incorporate a number of flavors, so will the sedan’s. We imagine the i3 50 xDrive launch model will sit between the 40/40 xDrive and 50/50 xDrive variants.

An M Efficiency-labeled i3 M60 is probably going within the pipeline earlier than the (gasp!) electric M3 (ZA0) arrives late subsequent 12 months. On the different finish of the spectrum, some markets may also get a base i3 20, though that hasn’t been confirmed but.