BMW has unveiled the fully electric i3 sedan at the Turin Motor Show, giving the public its first close look at a model that serves a dual purpose: it is the first Neue Klasse sedan of the modern era and a preview of the design language that will define the next-generation 3 Series.
The show car is finished in M Le Castellet Blue, the star colour BMW has been promoting across its press imagery for the i3. The shade is currently exclusive to the electric sedan. While the displayed vehicle features the M Sport Package, the base model is expected to be revealed soon as online configurators go live.
The i3 rides on new 20-inch wheels codenamed 1066 M, featuring a two-tone design that continues BMW's preference for either two-tone or full-black finishes over traditional silver. A larger 21-inch set will be offered as an option for a sportier stance, though it may reduce range.
Inside, the i3 features a Digital White cabin with a matching steering wheel, creating a blue-over-white combination that echoes a right-hand-drive version shown earlier this year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which was built for the UK market.
The i3 has already entered series production in Munich, with customer deliveries about to begin. The model went on sale in Europe in late September, earlier than originally planned, following strong demand. The First Edition has been available across European markets.
Beyond the sedan, BMW is expanding its electric range. The first-ever i3 Touring is expected to arrive sometime next year, offering a more practical alternative for buyers who prefer not to move to an SUV. An iX4 coupe-styled crossover will beat the Touring to market, with a world premiere expected before the end of 2026.
The next-generation 3 Series, codenamed G50, will retain the CLAR platform but share its exterior and interior styling wholesale with the i3. The G50 will have a longer nose to accommodate four- and six-cylinder combustion engines, a necessary change since the i3 has a front trunk. At the rear, the M Performance variant will feature a quad-pipe exhaust setup.
BMW has already previewed the new 3 Series and its M350 xDrive range-topper. The eighth-generation model is set to be unveiled at the end of the month, and most of the design seen on the i3 will carry over, with slightly different proportions. For better or worse, the next 3 Series will closely mirror the i3's design.
The Turin Motor Show also hosted the Italian debut of the X5 G65, but the i3 represents a more significant step for BMW as it transitions toward an electrified future while keeping its combustion heritage alive in the 3 Series line.