There was a time when car enthusiasts joked that BMW was just a company making grilles, with the actual cars being a side hobby, merely slapping giant grilles on some models! But today, everything has changed. The Neue Klasse platform era has brought innovation to the electric vehicle world, and BMW customers now finally know the cost of this advanced technology. The new favorite, the i3—an electric sedan in the 3 Series family and one of the most important Neue Klasse cars for the brand—is expected to launch in Thailand at a reasonable price. It starts at £53,005 in the UK, which converts to about 2,369,000 baht.
That is the UK price for the New Series-3 Electric standard model, the i3 50 xDrive, which features an impressive driving range of up to 906 kilometers on a single charge. In real-world use, it should comfortably reach around 800 kilometers. This range makes it the longest-range electric vehicle, ranking number one if it arrives in Thailand.
The i3 50 model carries a massive 108.7 kWh battery and features electric motors at both front and rear, delivering a combined output of 463 horsepower and 645 Newton-meters of torque—more torque than the M3. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. BMW promises more than just performance numbers on paper; the car is equipped with a central intelligent system called ‘Heart of Joy’ that manages all aspects of the vehicle, from power and driving dynamics to driver assistance and energy management.
The 906-kilometer range (WLTP standard) puts it close behind the Mercedes-Benz EQS in range per charge. If fortunate enough to find a 400 kW fast charger, the i3 can add 423 kilometers of range in just 10 minutes, thanks to its 800V electrical architecture enabling ultra-fast charging. However, such 400 kW chargers are still rare in Thailand.
At a price of 2.3 million baht in Europe, buyers can upgrade to the ‘First Edition’ model, which includes options like electrically adjustable sport seats, tri-zone independent climate control, sun/heat-protective glass, a heated steering wheel, a standard 3D head-up display, premium Harman Kardon sound system, power-operated tailgate, and an upgraded home AC charging capacity of 22 kW (up from 11 kW).
Both the standard i3 50 xDrive and the First Edition showcase the modern design language of the Neue Klasse family, looking sharp and contemporary.
"The BMW 3 Series has been a valuable icon of the brand across seven generations, spanning over half a century," said Mike Reichelt, head of the Neue Klasse project. "The 3 Series brings together the true joy of driving, innovation, and timeless design. With the new Neue Klasse platform and its advanced technologies, BMW is making a full generational leap in automotive technology. This is the DNA of the sporty sedan, developed with a completely new automotive concept, continuing the legendary success story of the BMW 3 Series without interruption."