BMW confirms launch date for new EV to compete with Tesla Model 3

BMW has confirmed that production of its new electric vehicle, the i3 Neue Klasse sedan, will begin in July 2026, with deliveries expected in early 2027. This next-generation i3 marks a significant shift from the previous quirky hatchback to a sleek sedan designed to directly compete with the Tesla Model 3 in the premium electric sedan segment. Built on BMW’s fully reengineered Neue Klasse platform, the i3 will feature multiple trims, including performance-focused variants like the i3 M60 xDrive, which is rumored to produce up to 630 horsepower—surpassing the Tesla Model 3 Performance’s 510 horsepower and 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds. A key highlight of the new i3 is its advanced Gen6 battery technology, which uses cylindrical cells offering 20% more energy density than the current Gen5 pouch cells. This innovation is expected to increase driving range by 25% while reducing weight and cooling requirements. The i3 50