A new BMW i3 in China derived from the Series 3

If the eponymous city car continues its career in Europe, the new BMW i3 is an electric sedan derived from the Series 3, and reserved for China.

Celebrating its 9th anniversary this year, the BMW i3 is an automotive elder. This highly avant-garde electric city car hasn’t aged, and still sold 28,000 units in 2021. Thus, there is currently no replacement, as the brand prefers to focus on new high-end models. However, BMW is indeed launching a new i3. Here’s the explanation.

An Extended Electric Series 3

China has imposed quotas for car manufacturers for several years now. BMW must therefore sell a certain number of plug-in hybrid and electric cars. As a result, its lineup is evolving more rapidly than in Europe.

The Bavarian company unveils the BMW i3 eDrive35L in response. Knowledgeable observers already recognize it as a long-wheelbase Series 3 (+11 cm) transformed into a 100% electric model. Its grille with blue accents, i logos, and specific wheels are the only differences.

526 km range for the Chinese BMW i3

However, this sedan completely changes its mechanics, featuring an electric motor of 210 kW (282 hp) and a torque of 400 Nm. It is paired with a usable battery capacity of 66 kWh, offering a range of 526 km according to the Chinese CLTC cycle. The trunk also loses a bit of its volume, now at 410 liters (compared to 480 previously).

Despite its size, this lithium-ion pack from CATL provides only a maximum charging power of 95 kW. Nonetheless, it is sufficient to charge from 10 to 80% in 35 minutes, according to the brand, while AC charging reaches 11 kW in three-phase supply.

For China, and Made in China

The BMW i3 eDrive35L is an exclusively China-only model. The German brand also produces it locally, at its BMW Brilliance plant in Shenyang, alongside the BMW iX and BMW i4 models.

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