The new BMW i3. Second model of Neue Klasse

The BMW 3 Series is a core part of the BMW brand and has stood for consistent progress, distinctive design and pure driving pleasure for five decades. Coming as the second model of the Neue Klasse, the new fully electric BMW i3 builds on this legacy and steps into a new era with a technological leap.

Raising the benchmark for all-electric range, the new BMW i3 can travel up to 900 km.

(in accordance with the WLTP test cycle) in a single charge, thanks to innovations from Neue Klasse. At the same time, these technologies are used to further enhance the renowned class-leading driving dynamics of the BMW 3 Series. Thanks to the Heart of Joy super brain, which is responsible for all driving functions, handling is precise, safe and effortless. Combined with three additional high-performance computers covering automated driving, infotainment and comfort-enhancing functions, a new digital nervous system developed entirely in-house by BMW emerges. These super brains offer up to 20 times more processing power than those used in previous BMW models.
The BMW i3 is launched in 50 xDrive model variants powered by two electric motors driving the front and rear axles, with the combined system power producing 469 hp and 645 Nm torque Besides its impressive range, the BMW i3 can be charged at up to 400 kW at an 800-volt DC charging station, greatly reducing charging times. The result reaches up to 400 km. In just 10 minutes. This capability is enabled by sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology; This technology combines high-efficiency electric motors, 800-volt technology and new high-voltage batteries with energy-dense cylindrical cells.

BMW Panoramic iDrive: The latest generation of the BMW display operating concept with visionary display and operating system.
Focusing on the interactions between human and vehicle, BMW Panoramic iDrive redefines vehicle operation, information display and driver orientation. The intelligent combination of displays, operating elements and software creates an integrated system that offers optimum ergonomics, is intuitive and comfortable to use and provides the driver with relevant information at all times.

BMW Panoramic View: Focus on the driver’s orientation.
At the heart of the display and operating system is BMW Panoramic View. This is a new display concept where information is projected onto a specially coated area at the bottom of the windshield, extending from A-pillar to A-pillar. The content displayed in this area is always visible and forms the visual basis of the entire show and business concept. Important driving information is displayed on the right, clearly structured and in the driver’s line of sight, following the road ahead. The contents displayed in the center and left areas of the exhibit can be personalized and viewed by all residents.

BMW 3D Head Up Display: Animations enable spatial perception.The optional BMW 3D Head-Up Display, integrated above the BMW Panoramic Vision, projects selected content directly into the driver’s line of sight. This display provides particularly precise spatial perception, especially for navigation instructions or information from the driver assistance system. The contents of the BMW 3D Head-Up Display and the BMW Panoramic View are perfectly coordinated and complement each other, providing a consistent, clearly structured display experience.

Free Cut Design Center Screen.The 17.9-inch Free-Cut Design Central Display is also integrated into the BMW Panoramic iDrive as a key control element. It features advanced matrix backlight technology with a resolution of 3,340 x 1,440 pixels and offers a bright display that is easily readable in any lighting conditions. Its special shape ensures ergonomically optimal positioning and enables comfortable, simple and intuitive operation via touch, thanks to QuickSelect and the advanced menu structure. The Central Display has a menu with widgets that can be moved to the BMW Panoramic View by drag and drop. Up to six widgets can be freely arranged this way, providing quick access to frequently used functions. Using the multifunction steering wheel, further contents and submenus of widgets can be viewed in BMW Panoramic Vision.

New multifunction steering wheel with Shy Tech operating elements.
The multifunction steering wheel uses Shy Tech technology; This means that the buttons only light up when the relevant functions are available. Controls for driving assistance and parking functions are on the left, while controls for interior fotainment functions such as the phone or media player are on the right. These functions can be operated via a dedicated control panel that provides haptic feedback. In this way, drivers can control key functions safely and accurately without taking their eyes off the road.

Customizability as the main feature of the system.
Content, widgets and screens can be individually configured so they can be adapted to personal preferences. Users can choose colors, display schemes, and background images to create a personalized digital experience. There are numerous options that allow users to customize the user interface design according to their preferences in Personal Mode; thus enabling advanced individualization of settings related to screens, interactions, and tools. Additionally, my Modes such as Sport, Efficient and Quiet increase the range of personal setups available to customers.

BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.The multi-modal operating logic of BMW Panoramic iDrive combines touch, haptic and voice-based interactions. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, the operating concept in the new BMW i3, plays an important role. It allows controlling many vehicle functions, navigation points and media content using natural language, without the need for defined voice commands. The self-learning voice assistant can be activated with the prompt “Hey BMW” or by pressing a button on the right steering wheel control panel. After initial setup, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is placed at the center of the BMW Panoramic View by default and is always ready to respond to commands. If desired, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant can make proactive recommendations based on routines and more. This intelligence is further strengthened by the BMW Operating System X, which takes into account even more context, such as driving situations, environmental analysis and interior recognition.

Adding Amazon’s Alexa+ AI technology

It further increases the capability of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. The integration of Amazon Alexa+ into the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant marks a technological leap forward focused on customer value.

The AI ​​technology used is the Large Language Model (LLM), a generative AI that understands language and can generate its own responses. This enables more conversational voice interactions; It enables intuitive and intelligent exchanges and supports access to external knowledge bases, cloud-based services and media contents, and control of vehicle functions. Linking the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant to an Amazon account allows the user to search and listen to music, access the latest news and easily consume a wide range of content. Availability will be expanded gradually, starting with the German and US markets.

BMW Panoramic iDrive is based on a scalable concept and the basic system architecture enables the flexible integration of future digital services, additional display formats and new functions.

BMW Digital Key Plus becomes the vehicle key of choice.
BMW Digital Key Plus allows smartphones and smartwatches from all leading manufacturers including Apple, Samsung, Google to be easily set up as vehicle keys. Ultra-wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth technology are used to enable the smartphone and the vehicle to communicate with each other at close range. UWB technology ensures the highest vehicle access security (certified according to the Vehicle Connectivity Consortium’s standard) while enabling extremely precise determination of the user’s location.
BMW Digital Key Plus offers additional benefits in addition to extremely easy vehicle access. Customers can easily and securely share the digital key with others via the messaging app, while also defining individual roles and rights. It also makes it possible to use additional functions such as remote operation of the tailgate via a smartphone wallet.

BMW Operating System X has high update and upgrade capability.
BMW Operating System As a result, the system remains up-to-date in the long term and can be constantly expanded with new functions and digital services.

Four special super brain high performance computers.
At the center of the new vehicle architecture are four super brain high-performance computers. Each is assigned a core function in the new BMW i3: Heart of Joy primarily manages driving dynamics, while separate computers are devoted to basic and comfort functions such as automatic driving and parking, infotainment and vehicle access, and climate control. They offer up to 20 times higher computing power compared to previous BMW models.

Electronics in four zones: More efficiency, less weight.
Quad-zone cable reduces the complexity of wiring harnesses. Additionally, the new BMW i3 uses Smart eFuse instead of conventional fuses. This smart and flexible power protection, combined with zonal architecture, enables shorter and thinner cables, saving weight and reducing energy consumption thanks to smart power distribution and improving overall vehicle efficiency.

Newly developed lithium-ion cylindrical cells for higher energy density.
The cylindrical cells in the high-voltage storage system have a diameter of 46 millimeters and a height of 95 millimeters. Their optimal design provides a 20% increase in volumetric energy density compared to the prismatic cells used as part of Gen5 technology.

The cell-to-pack design provides high energy density at the package level.
The cells are integrated directly into the high-voltage battery without modular construction or structural elements. This cell-to-pack design enables high energy densities at the package level, thus reducing weight and costs. The combination of cell design and cell-to-pack construction is the result of the battery technology expertise that the BMW Group has been developing since 2008.

The open structure from package to body allows for flat faucet design.
Thanks to the unpacked body concept, the battery compartment in the new BMW i3 also functions as a structural component. The ground of the chassis is open and closes when the high voltage battery is inserted. The trunk cover thus takes over the function of the underbody of the vehicle. This saves weight and provides a flat, aerodynamically efficient battery design. Another advantage: the torsional rigidity of the body, which also benefits from the package-to-open body structure; This has a positive impact on the driving dynamics of the new BMW i3.

Energy Master: Highly intelligent control center.
Electrical and electronic components for the high voltage battery can be found at Energy Master. It is based on a high-voltage battery and was developed in-house by the BMW Group. It provides electricity to the engines and vehicle electrical system and manages all data from the high voltage battery. It ensures smart, efficient and safe battery operation.