BMW i3: over 900 km of range and Portuguese technology

BMW is preparing a new chapter in electric mobility, and the new BMW i3 is one of the German brand’s major new models. With a range of up to 912 kilometres, up to 469 hp and technology developed with Portuguese input, this electric saloon promises to appeal to those looking for performance, innovation and efficiency. And there is more good news: the new BMW i3 is already available to order in Portugal, with prices starting at €59,500.

Although it revives a well-known name, the new BMW i3 is very different from the model launched in 2014. The former compact electric car now gives way to a fully electric saloon, integrated into the 3 Series family and developed on BMW’s new Neue Klasse platform.

Following the BMW iX3, presented in 2025, this is the second model in the brand’s new generation of electric cars, bringing important developments in design, range and technology.

New BMW i3 promises up to 912 km of range

One of the main highlights of the new BMW i3 is undoubtedly its range. BMW offers two xDrive all-wheel-drive versions, both equipped with two electric motors, one on each axle.

The more powerful version, the BMW i3 50 xDrive, develops 469 hp and 645 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. Thanks to its 108.7 kWh battery, it offers up to 912 kilometres of WLTP range, placing this saloon among the electric cars with the longest range on the market.

For those looking for a more affordable alternative, there is also the BMW i3 40 xDrive, with 374 hp, an 82.8 kWh battery and up to 710 kilometres of WLTP range. In this version, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.4 seconds.

But range is not the only new feature. Thanks to its 800-volt electrical architecture and sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology, the new i3 supports fast charging, allowing the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in around 21 minutes under ideal conditions.

In the 50 xDrive version, maximum charging power can reach 400 kW, making it possible to recover up to 423 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes when the necessary conditions are met.

These figures demonstrate the evolution of electric technology and could make long-distance journeys increasingly practical.

Portuguese technology in the new BMW i3

One of the most interesting aspects of this new BMW i3 is the Portuguese contribution to the development of its technology.

Critical TechWorks, a company created through a partnership between the BMW Group and Portuguese company Critical Software, is involved in the development of several digital systems used in this model.

With more than 3,300 employees across Lisbon, Porto and Braga, the company contributes to solutions related to driver assistance, the operating system, the MyBMW app and remote software updates.

Among the systems developed with Portuguese involvement is BMW Panoramic iDrive, one of the main technological innovations inside the cabin.

This system displays information along the lower section of the windscreen, allowing the driver to consult important data without having to look away from the road as much. The technology is complemented by a 17.9-inch central touchscreen, multifunction controls on the steering wheel and, optionally, a 3D Head-Up Display.

The new BMW i3 also integrates four high-performance computing units, including the Heart of Joy system, responsible for coordinating functions such as propulsion, steering, energy recuperation and chassis stabilisation.

It is an example of how technology developed in Portugal is present in some of the most advanced cars in the industry.

A refreshed design for a new generation

The changes to the BMW i3 are not limited to technology. The new model features a very different visual language, while retaining some characteristic elements of the German brand.

At the front, the traditional kidney grille has been reinterpreted and integrated into a new lighting signature. The body features cleaner lines, flush door handles and a saloon silhouette with sporty proportions.

Measuring 4.76 metres in length and with a wheelbase of approximately 2.90 metres, the new BMW i3 aims to combine a sporty presence with the space required for everyday use.

Inside, the focus is on a modern, digital and driver-oriented environment. In addition to the new infotainment system, features include a voice assistant, wireless smartphone charging, dual-zone automatic climate control and electrically adjustable front seats with memory.

The luggage compartment offers 420 litres of capacity, joined by an additional 60 litres in a storage compartment located under the bonnet.

Another new feature is bidirectional charging, which allows the energy stored in the battery to be used to power external equipment or, through compatible solutions, support the electricity supply of a home.

How much does the new BMW i3 cost in Portugal?

The new BMW i3 can already be ordered in Portugal, with prices starting at €59,500 for the 40 xDrive version.

The more powerful BMW i3 50 xDrive, with greater range, has a starting price of €65,500 and is the first version expected to be delivered to customers.

The range is expected to continue growing, with new versions due to arrive, including an M Performance variant scheduled for spring 2027.

With more than 900 kilometres of range, fast charging and a technology-packed interior, the new BMW i3 represents an important step in BMW’s electric strategy.

And there is one detail that makes this launch even more interesting: part of the intelligence that brings this new generation of cars to life carries a Portuguese signature.

Sources: Auto ao Minuto, SAPO, Guia do Automóvel.