BMW Opens Order Books for New i3 First Edition
BMW has officially opened order books for the new BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition, marking the next major step in the brand's highly anticipated Neue Klasse programme. The all-electric saloon is the second production model to emerge from BMW's next-generation platform and technology architecture, and it arrives with ambitious claims around range, charging speed and driving dynamics.
Available to order now ahead of its full market launch in autumn 2026, the BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition is priced from £57,905 on-the-road. The standard BMW i3 50 xDrive will follow later with a starting price of £53,005 OTR.
According to BMW, customer interest has already been strong since the model was first unveiled earlier this year.
Jochen Goller, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands and Sales, said:
"The new BMW i3 is a groundbreaking car for us. As a fully electric model, it will be competing in a high-volume segment and is therefore extremely significant for the BMW Group. At the same time, we can already tell from the high level of interest in this model that it will be very well received by our customers."
New, modern, unmistakably BMW
A New Chapter for the 3 Series
Although it carries the i3 name, this is effectively BMW's electric successor to the 3 Series, bringing the brand's most important model line into the Neue Klasse era.
Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse BMW, highlighted the significance of the car:
"The BMW 3 Series has been an icon of our brand for seven generations and therefore more than five decades. It encapsulates pure driving pleasure, innovation and timeless design."
He added:
"With the Neue Klasse and its technology clusters, we are literally skipping a vehicle generation."
Visually, the new i3 introduces BMW's latest design language, featuring a reinterpretation of the traditional kidney grille, a new light signature and a streamlined saloon silhouette with short overhangs and a long wheelbase.
Up to 567 Miles of Range
Perhaps the most eye-catching figure is the claimed range.
The BMW i3 50 xDrive uses BMW's sixth-generation eDrive technology, paired with a 108.7kWh net-capacity battery and an 800-volt electrical architecture. BMW claims the standard i3 50 xDrive can achieve up to 567 miles on the WLTP test cycle, while the First Edition offers up to 563 miles.
Performance remains strong despite the focus on efficiency. Dual electric motors produce a combined 469hp and 645Nm of torque, allowing the i3 50 xDrive to accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds.
Charging speeds have also taken a significant step forward. BMW says the car can add up to 263 miles of range in just 10 minutes when connected to a compatible 400kW DC rapid charger. Bidirectional charging capability is also included.
New Technology Throughout
The BMW i3 introduces the company's latest digital ecosystem, centred around BMW Panoramic iDrive and BMW Operating System X.
A new Panoramic Vision display projects information across the lower portion of the windscreen, while a separate 3D Head-Up Display provides navigation and driving information directly within the driver's line of sight.
BMW has also integrated large language model technology into its Intelligent Personal Assistant, allowing for more natural voice interactions.
On the driving side, BMW's new "Heart of Joy" control computer and Dynamic Performance Control software are designed to improve vehicle responses and handling precision. BMW says the system reacts ten times faster than previous control architectures.
The company has also introduced a new Soft Stop function, designed to bring the vehicle to a halt smoothly without the braking noises or slight jolts sometimes associated with electric vehicles.
First Edition Specification
The launch-specification First Edition is based on the M Sport trim and includes a generous list of standard equipment.
Highlights include:
BMW Iconic Glow illuminated kidney grille
BMW 3D Head-Up Display
Harman Kardon surround sound system
Electrically adjustable multifunction front seats
Three-zone climate control
Heated steering wheel
Sun protection glazing
Automatic tailgate
AC Charging Professional, increasing AC charging capability from 11kW to 22kW
Customers can further personalise the vehicle with options including rear heated seats, a panoramic glass roof, an electrically deployable tow bar and BMW's latest driver assistance systems.
The Neue Klasse BMW interiors are as good to use in reality as they are to ogle at - genius design
Pricing: Competitive, But Tax Remains a Frustration
Viewed in the context of today's electric vehicle market, BMW's pricing appears relatively reasonable considering the technology, performance and claimed range on offer.
However, UK buyers will face an increasingly familiar issue. Even the standard BMW i3 50 xDrive starts at £53,005, placing it comfortably above the £50,000 threshold for the UK's Expensive Car Supplement, often referred to as the luxury car tax.
As a result, owners will be liable for the additional vehicle excise duty charge for several years after registration, adding thousands of pounds to the overall ownership cost. It's a shame that a model positioned as a mainstream executive saloon cannot avoid crossing that threshold, particularly given how many modern EVs are now caught by the same rule.
One of the Most Anticipated EVs of the Decade
Few new electric cars have generated as much excitement as the Neue Klasse BMW i3. On paper, it combines the qualities many enthusiasts have been waiting for: strong performance, potentially class-leading range, ultra-fast charging and a renewed focus on driving dynamics.
For me personally, this is the car I am most looking forward to driving. BMW has made some bold promises about what Neue Klasse will deliver, and if the i3 can translate those claims into a genuinely engaging driving experience, it could become one of the most important electric vehicles to launch in the next few years.
Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity to get behind the wheel very soon and find out whether it lives up to the hype.
About the Author
Jim Starling is the founder of DefinitelyNotAGuru, a UK-based automotive media outlet focused on clear, honest, consumer-first journalism. His work cuts through marketing hype and technical jargon to help everyday drivers make sense of car buying, leasing, ownership costs, and the transition to electric vehicles.
An independent motoring journalist and long-term EV owner, Jim brings real-world experience to his reporting. Whether covering major international motor shows or testing new cars on UK roads, his focus remains the same: straightforward analysis and genuinely unbiased advice that puts the audience first.