Spied! 2026 BMW i3 Sedan (NA0 / NA1, Neue Klasse) - Successor to G20 3-Series

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I like it, the shark nose is back. Y'all need to relax.

I want bold, but not controversial bold - goodbye bucktooth/pignose whatever styling without function excesses and ugly transgressions BMW has been guilty of in the past years.

My X2 is going to my son in a year or two, so we will need new family transportation soon. And since I won't buy a Tesla (too many reasons to list), I would absolutely rock an i3 sedan or even better a touring. As long as it doesn't disappoint on the dynamic side and has Android Auto.

For those who say BMW cannot compete on cheap EVs and there is no distinguishing quality on the more upscale ones, I have news for you. For many years, BMW's low-end and middle-of-the-road ICE offerings have basically been white goods, unremarkable in a space where the Hyundai's and Kia's and etc.'s of the world offer similar goods, with similar technology, power & features but at substantially lower cost. How is a 330i different than a Kia K5? Or an X1 special in a literal sea of similar crossovers? It is only when you move into the M and M-light offerings that BMW makes a dent and begins to offer something different or more.

And now the M cars are on an ever-increasing spiral of fat (and some of them look stupid, sorry guys, just my opinion). But it seems at least the new class is an attempt to build a future-facing, technologically advanced, bespoke platform. To bring a little ahem class in a world of appliances.

Do you honestly think BMW will survive selling only ICE cars to a minority of enthusiasts? Till when? And then what? What is the plan? Grumble all you want, but the path forward is basically set, bumps in the road or not. There truly is no going back - just delaying, detouring, objecting, and hesitating until we eventually all accept it. ICE banning deadlines may be premature or ill-advised, but even without a government ban, people will eventually switch to EVs. Can you really imagine a 6-cylinder turbo M3 for the 2050 model year? I mean, really.


For me personally, as an enthusiast who tracks my car and have very specific demands currently unmet by EVs, I found another way. I just bought a mint, 1-owner, manual, enthusiast-spec 991.2 Carrera T, to try a different experience before my hands and feet fall off.

[resbmw443]

It is difficult to see anything under the camouflage. Hope they add some change in design compared to few last models. Especially to 1-series.

[Mg.]

Nose seems to be tilted ever so slightly forward, a bit like American muscle cars. I like that. Color me intrigued!

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by lizardx

The golden age of automotive world is concluding. F90 M5 is superior to G90 M5 (not just lookswise but being 600 kg lighter), this new 3 series seems to be going in the same design detoriating direction as new 5 series. Or look at MB, their new AMG GT is no longer mid-front engine, and gearbox is no longer transaxle, while at the same time weighing over 2000 kg. Even C63S AMG with its 2100+ kg is a phat whale instead of proper sportsaloon.

People who care about these things are dying off. Car companies must adapt to survive.

[EnI]

Originally Posted by LakeTahoeMatt

Looks narrow. I also didn’t realize an ‘i3’ is replacing my beloved 3 series. I have bought every gen since I was 16. I guess my story stops in 2026. What happens if Trump lifts the EV mandate? Do we get our cars back or the EU isn’t going to change anything? Sad really. I don’t understand who buys these cars? Without purists like us the company dies. Who buys this pos? This literally ruined my day, thanks.

Don't worry ... New generation ICE & PHEV 3-series (G50) based on CLAR platform - yet featuring Neue Klasse i3 styling elements - IS coming in Summer/ Fall 2027: