The new 2027 BMW i3 will be revealed on March 18th, but images leaked ahead of time — and, luckily, they’ve only furthered the hype.
BMW’s upcoming electric sedan is based on the Neue Klasse Concept, and the images show how it’s carried over into production. We instantly noticed the kidney grille, which is slimmer and elongated rather than the honking ones we’ve been getting that take up the entire front end of the car. The new kidney grille design stretches across the front fascia, outlined in white LED lights.
The cohesive design carries over to the back, which features wraparound LEDs. Sharp lines around the body give the i3 a sporty, aggressive styling. The hidden door handles add to its sleek, aerodynamic appearance, though the United States may be planning to ban this handle style following multiple accidents.
Inside, the BMW i3 has a clean, modern dashboard featuring a large floating touchscreen and a four-spoke steering wheel.
What we know about the 2027 BMW i3
The upcoming i3 is BMW’s attempt to expand the model’s presence in the United States. The first-gen i3 was discontinued in 2021 after selling 45,000 units in the United States throughout its lifetime. Its final year, the i3 saw a massive drop in sales, moving 1,476 units. Strangely, at least one new i3 was sold in 2025, likely one that had been sitting at a dealership for years.
BMW’s 2027 i3 is a completely different electric vehicle, inspired by the Neue Klasse concept car. BMW plans to sell it alongside the 3 Series, which will also see a big refresh next year. Not much is known about the i3’s performance, but BMW has said it will have an 800-volt architecture and its batteries will offer 20% higher energy density. It’s expected to see a 30% increase in range thanks to its aerodynamic styling and updated tech. It could even be over 500 miles.
It’s being predicted that the 2027 BMW i3 will be priced around $50,000 to start.
At this time, we’re a bit left in the dark. Until tomorrow, that is.
BMW X5 and BMW 7 Series leaks add to the hype
Soon after the BMW i3 leak, we started seeing slightly obscured images of the new BMW X5 and 7 Series, shared by an Instagram account known as ASATUR.PRICE.
The X5 has a lot of similarities to the i3, likely because it’s also based on the Neue Klasse concept’s design. It has a slim kidney grille outlined in LED lights and similarly slim LEDs in the back that wrap around the rear fascia. While it has some modern elements, the X5 still has the SUV’s signature bulky look. The X5 will have an M60e xDrive variant powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 570 horsepower. In addition to the plug-in hybrid, the X5 will be offered with gas and diesel powertrains. While other automakers are backing away from electric, BMW will also offer the iX5, an all-electric model.
The BMW 7 Series is also getting a new look. Ahead of its reveal at the Beijing Auto Show next month, we can see images featuring a more angular kidney grille, although it’s pretty massive and blocky compared to the other redesigns. The kidney grille is outlined in LED lights and you can also see a headlamp on the front bumper. The BMW 7 Series will have gas and diesel powertrains. The electric version, the i7, will probably be styled similarly.
