Electric BMW 3 Series REVEALED
The electric BMW 3 Series is revealed in images from China’s Patent Office, with minor cosmetic tweaks and carrying an ‘i3’ badge.
That clear distance between the 3 Series and 4 Series has allowed BMW to already deliver an electric version of the 4 Series as the BMW i4, perhaps because calling the electric 3 Series ‘i3’ would be rather confusing as we’ve had the BMW i3 as an urban EV for a decade.
But if images from China’s Patent Office (above and below) are anything to go by, BMW is planning – at least in China – to deliver the electric 3 Series as the BMW i3 despite that.
Badged as a BMW i3 eDrive 35L, we’re assuming this ‘i3’ comes with a longer wheelbase (likely to be China-only), a lower power output than the i4 (which kicks off with an eDrive40 model) and rear-wheel drive.
Cosmetic changes compared to ICE 3 Series models look minor, with a blanked-off radiator grille, new bumper, new diffuser at the back, different alloys and some blue highlights.
Whether BMW decides to market the electric 3 Series in the UK and Europe as the i3 remains to be seen.
Peter Szczesiak says
I have a proper I3 not some ICE rehash, electric cars need to be made as one as Tesla have proven legacy car makers take note
mark A. geller says
“electric cars need to be made as one”? What do you mean by that? You think they have to look different to be “electric”. There are 1000’s of buyers who hate the look of “electric cars” and just want what they currently have to be non-ice. BMW will sell lot’s of 3 series looking non-ice cars. The i series cars were “weird” looking to many people, to say nothing of the lousy packaging for people. What is the Tesla 3? Just a small sedan with a skate platform that works well. That’s why it’s bought. This is a BMW 3 series sedan with, hopefully, the same. If it works, they will buy. Don’t get your beef? Take note of that.