2027 BMW i3 Gets Striking New Looks, Staggering 700 KM of Range

With the new i3, BMW promised “previously unattainable” figures for its next-gen compact sedan, and it has delivered. The 2027 BMW i3 50 xDrive has a manufacturer estimated 700 km of range using North American testing procedures.

Not only will make the seven-and-a-half-hour drive from Ottawa, Ont., to Tadoussac, Que., on a single charge (with juice to spare), the new model will also do it while delivering an impressive 463 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque from twin electric motors.

Moreover, charging capacities of up to 400 kW will also speed up charging times by 30 per cent when the i3 does, eventually, run out of battery. In Canada, the model will have both a Combined Charging System (CCS) style port and a North American Charging System (NACS) port, allowing it utilize both generic and Tesla-branded charging stations.

BMW adds that the i3 will be capable of bi-directional charging, meaning that you can plug it into your home and use it as a generator should the power go out or — if you’re really savvy — to lower your electricity bill when prices are high. Canadian buyers will also eventually have access to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, meaning that the wider electricity grid can (consensually) tap into your vehicle’s battery when that’s advantageous.

The i3 also debuts new styling for BMW sedans, being the second member (after the iX3 SUV) of the Neue Klasse design family. A long wheelbase provides plenty of room for batteries under the car, while short overhangs and wide wheel arches convey a sporty stance.

BMW’s classic kidney grille and quad-headlights are reinterpreted here for the modern era, as they make up part of the car’s daytime running light (DRL) array. At the back, a lightbar stretches across the entirety of the trunk.

Inside, a simple cabin betrays complicated technology running under the surface of the iX3. An enormous 17.9-inch touchscreen display leans in towards the driver, putting controls at the top of the screen closer to them and making them easier to reach. Behind that, a 3D display sits under at the back of the dash, just under the hood, providing the driver (and the passenger) with plenty of relevant (and customizable) information that can be read at a glance.

The automaker says that the infotainment system runs on its most advanced computers yet. That also allows its Intelligent Personal Assistant to answer driver’s conversational, spoken prompts more effectively. It will also allow for Level 2+ driver assistance systems — meaning that the i3 can assist the driver with steering in some circumstances.

The tech also provides a smoother driving experience, thanks to BMW’s “Heart of Joy” system. Ten times faster than the automaker’s earlier drive control technology, BMW says the system allows driver aids to intervene less frequently than before, leading to cornering and braking behaviours that are more reliable and predictable than ever.

Set to go into production in Germany at the end of this year, the 2027 BMW i3 will start being delivered to Canadian customers in the first half of next year.