After the high demand for Bayerische Motoren Werke’s all-electric 3-series, the German luxury automobile manufacturer started taking orders from June 18, 2026, for the BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition, an all-electric 3 Series sedan, in Europe, especially in Germany and the United Kingdom. Reportedly, the model will arrive at the dealership in Autumn 2026.
The price for the i3 50 xDrive First Edition is available in the public domain. In Germany, it is available with the price of €75,340, €9,440 costlier than the standard variant, and in the United Kingdom, it costs £57,905, only £4,900 costlier compared to the base one. Let’s have a closer look at this upcoming premium luxury all-electric sedan from BMW.
Motor setup and battery pack
Equipped with two identical electric motors, one mounted on the front axle and another on the rear axle, the power output and peak torque of each are also similar. Its drivetrain is all-wheel drive, and transmission is single-speed automatic. The combined power output of electric motors is 463 hp, and peak torque is 645 Nm, which helps the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and to reach the top speed of 200 km/h.
Under the floor, it gets a 108.7 kWh NMC lithium-ion battery pack, which gives the WLTP range of 906 km. Based on the 800-volt electrical architecture, it supports a DC charger with a maximum output of 400 kW. Reportedly, with just the charge of 10 minutes, it adds the WLTP range of 423 km. With the car, buyers are set to get an 11 kWh AC charger for home charging that may take the whole night to fully charge the electric vehicle.
Features and technology
Inside, it features BMW Panoramic Vision, a full width on the base of the windshield that shows all the driving data instead of just under the steering wheel; a BMW 3D Head-Up Display that projects the primary driving data on the windshield; and a large floating touchscreen infotainment system at the center of the dashboard acting as the control panel of the cabin.
The entire cockpit runs on BMW Operating System X, featuring natural voice control via BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, an LLM-powered conversational AI with Alexa+ integration. The infotainment system is integrated with the Harman Kardon sound system, which also supports BMW Maps navigation, over-the-air software updates, and wireless smartphone connectivity.
Other notable features are electrically adjustable front seats in multiple ways so the one driving and co-passenger can find the most comfortable seating position; a heated steering wheel keeps the driver warm during cold weather; and three-zone automatic climate control helps in setting up different temperatures for the driver, co-passenger, and second-row occupants.
Underpinning and safety
Built on BMW’s Neue Klasse EV architecture featuring double-joint spring struts as front and five-link independent rear suspension, the carmaker is yet to reveal whether it uses adaptive dampers, air suspension, or active anti-roll systems. Even the braking details are still pending, but most likely a ventilated disc will be used.
It features Heart of Joy Brake Control, which is a high-speed central control computer that manages braking, power delivery, energy recuperation, and stability functions quickly. Also has some active safety features, including automatic emergency braking. Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance, Lane Departure Warning, and Blind Spot Monitoring.
Exterior and design
Outside, it features twin-kidney grille housing that houses sensors and cameras and also improves aerodynamics; signature four-eye headlights, two each side, make the front-end appearance cleaner; illuminated grille surrounds make its nighttime appearance distinctive; and bumper-integrated air intakes help in keeping the battery pack cool.
Other exterior highlights are double-tone electrically adjustable outside rear-view mirrors, 19-inch aero-optimized alloy wheels, flush-type door handles, a full-width taillight on the tailgate with triangular-shaped tail lamps at the degree, a BMW emblem in the center, a sculpted rear bumper with black cladding, a minimalist tailgate, and a large rear windshield.