The updated i3 from BMW is finally out, and its figures exceed expectations. Built on the Neue Klasse platform, the all-electric sedan now offers up to 468 miles of range with a starting price of $62,850. It lands in dealerships during the first quarter of 2027.
Price and Timing
The 2027 i3 50 xDrive starts at $61,500 plus a $1,350 destination fee, which puts it in the Mercedes C-Class segment. BMW confirmed the official launch for the first quarter of 2027, answering a question that had lingered since March, when we could only guess a ballpark starting price around $60,000.
The Motors Inside
Today BMW laid out the drivetrain details. Two motors drive the vehicle: a rear axle electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) that generates 322 horsepower and 321 lb-ft of torque, paired with a front axle asynchronous motor that produces 165 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. Together, the two motors combine for a total output of 463 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque.
The EESM serves as the main drive axle, and it operates with electricity rather than permanent magnets to energize both its stator outer frame and rotor inner spinning part. A converter changes direct current from the battery into alternating current for the motor, controls the electromagnets, and watches performance to ensure the motor runs efficiently.
Range Numbers
The company claims the EPA testing will bring the actual estimated figure closer to 468 miles, which represents an increase from the March estimate of around 440 miles. BMW may have taken note of the 2027 Mercedes EQS’s crazy range estimate of 925km (575 miles) on the WLTP cycle, which tends to be around 10–20 percent more generous than the EPA’s estimates. For a lower price, BMW’s figure comes close to matching it.
Battery Capacity Still Secret
BMW has not revealed the battery capacity for the i3 yet, though it has confirmed the use of a “Gen6” high-voltage battery built with cylindrical lithium-ion cells measuring 46 mm in diameter and 95 mm in height. These new cells deliver a 20 percent increase in energy density over the prismatic cells found in the Gen5 batteries.
Charging and Infotainment
Vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-home charging are part of the i3’s bidirectional charging system. The car has an intelligent charging flap that opens automatically when a known charging point detects a driver approaching. Plug & Charge operates across 10 charging providers.
BMW’s iDrive system has been rebuilt into a digital dashboard that substitutes traditional instrument clusters with a heads-up style windshield projection. The display remains readable even while wearing polarized sunglasses, and it allows passengers to look at or change portions of it. A 17.9-inch central touchscreen supports dragging and dropping up to six “widgets” elements, such as media, weather, or navigation, from the screen straight onto the windshield display. Controls placed on the steering wheel activate only when they are relevant, lighting up and offering haptic feedback.
Alexa Integration
The German automaker is putting Amazon’s Alexa inside the i3. The large-language model version of Alexa answers questions naturally, looks up information online, and controls the climate and windows. BMW has wanted this AI-powered Alexa in its vehicles since 2022, though the wait was extended by Amazon’s lengthy development process.
The Video app, which is powered by TiVo and will eventually include Amazon Prime Video, lets you watch movies or live shows when the vehicle is parked. The navigation system relies on BMW’s own maps, with Google Places — points of interest powered by search data — built in. It runs on an Android-based platform and gets ongoing over-the-air software updates.
The M60 Option
The i3 M60 xDrive is a high-performance variant from BMW, distinguished by M-specific lights and graphics paired with 21-inch Style 1067M aerodynamic wheels. It will reach customers sometime in 2027, though its cost has not yet been announced.
Key Features at a Glance
- Starting price: $61,500 plus $1,350 destination fee
- Range: Up to 468 miles based on EPA testing
- Motors: 322 hp EESM rear + 165 hp asynchronous front
- Combined output: 463 hp, 476 lb-ft of torque
- Battery: Gen6 cylindrical cells, 20 percent more energy density than Gen5
- Launch: First quarter of 2027
Our View
The 468-mile range is impressive for a mid-size sedan, especially at this price point. Bidirectional charging and the intelligent charging flap are clever touches that set the i3 apart from competitors. The Alexa integration and the iDrive system’s draggable widgets are also smart moves that show BMW is thinking about how drivers actually use their cars.
Before settling on the M60’s higher-performance variant, buyers should be aware of its unspecified price. That figure will determine whether the purchase makes sense for their particular needs.
This BMW i3 appears positioned to contend in a competitive field. Its distance, its technology, and its cost all point toward a run against the Mercedes C-Class. The opening quarter of 2027 remains some way off, yet the specifics BMW has already disclosed point to a payoff for those waiting.
See the video the story is built around at The Verge.
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