Spied! 2026 BMW i3 Sedan (NA0 / NA1, Neue Klasse) - Successor to G20 3-Series

[Jason]

Have a first look at the spied 2026 BMW i3 Sedan (Neue Klasse) prototype test car.

Here's what we know about the NA0 / NA1 i3 (from the future BMW models info thread)

• Chassis code: NA0 Sedan / NA1 Touring
• In production 11/26-6/35
• Planned NA0 (i3 sedan) model lineup: 40, 40 xDrive, 50, 50 xDrive, M60 xDrive
• Model range: 20, 40, 40 xDrive, 50, 50 xDrive, M60 xDrive
• Other models: 3M, i3M Touring, iX3M, iX4M are now in the official plans.
• M variants: ZA0 M3 / ZA1 M3 Touring

2026 BMW i3 Sedan (NA0)

[jeffd]

This is exactly why I’m gonna end up buying my G83 at the end of my lease in March. I want nothing to do with this future. 3M??? What ta hell? Are they at least gonna make the 3M in a hybrid like the M5?

[LuckyL]

Originally Posted by Jason

Have a first look at the spied 2026 BMW i3 Sedan (Neue Klasse) prototype test car.

Here's what we know about the NA0 / NA1 i3 (from the future BMW models info thread)


Chassis code: NA0 Sedan / NA1 Touring
In production 11/26-6/35
Planned NA0 (i3 sedan) model lineup: 40, 40 xDrive, 50, 50 xDrive, M60 xDrive
Model range: 20, 40, 40 xDrive, 50, 50 xDrive, M60 xDrive
Other models: 3M, i3M Touring, iX3M, iX4M are now in the official plans.
M variants: ZA0 M3 / ZA1 M3 Touring

Good god what is this abomination? Lord please help BMW get right. Sorry not sorry 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Penguino]

My goodness, what is BMW doing?!

[LakeTahoeMatt]

Looks narrow. I also didn’t realize an ‘i3’ is replacing my beloved 3 series. I have bought every gen since I was 16. I guess my story stops in 2026. What happens if Trump lifts the EV mandate? Do we get our cars back or the EU isn’t going to change anything? Sad really. I don’t understand who buys these cars? Without purists like us the company dies. Who buys this pos? This literally ruined my day, thanks.

[werdn]

What is that

[EthanEJC]

Originally Posted by Jason

Have a first look at the spied 2026 BMW i3 Sedan (Neue Klasse) prototype test car.

Here's what we know about the NA0 / NA1 i3 (from the future BMW models info thread)


Chassis code: NA0 Sedan / NA1 Touring
In production 11/26-6/35
Planned NA0 (i3 sedan) model lineup: 40, 40 xDrive, 50, 50 xDrive, M60 xDrive
Model range: 20, 40, 40 xDrive, 50, 50 xDrive, M60 xDrive
Other models: 3M, i3M Touring, iX3M, iX4M are now in the official plans.
M variants: ZA0 M3 / ZA1 M3 Touring

Originally Posted by jeffd

This is exactly why I’m gonna end up buying my G83 at the end of my lease in March. I want nothing to do with this future. 3M??? What ta hell? Are they at least gonna make the 3M in a hybrid like the M5?

Someone from BMW has already said there’ll be full EV M3 and ICE M3 which will most likely be mildl electrified there won’t be a hybrid like the M5.

[LakeTahoeMatt]

Originally Posted by EthanEJC

Someone from BMW has already said there’ll be full EV M3 and ICE M3 which will most likely be mildl electrified there won’t be a hybrid like the M5.

No one will buy it. Simple.

[Straight6Dave]

Originally Posted by LakeTahoeMatt

Looks narrow. I also didn’t realize an ‘i3’ is replacing my beloved 3 series. I have bought every gen since I was 16. I guess my story stops in 2026. What happens if Trump lifts the EV mandate? Do we get our cars back or the EU isn’t going to change anything? Sad really. I don’t understand who buys these cars? Without purists like us the company dies. Who buys this pos? This literally ruined my day, thanks.

Chill out, there’s also an ICE/Hybrid platform variant being developed alongside this.

There’s never been an EV mandate and even if there was the US isn’t BMWs focus, China and the EU are pushing hard on EVs and what Americans feel about them isn’t relevant. The Chinese middle class is alone is 2x the size of the entire US population and including the EU middle class is over a billion people.

Trump isn’t going to end EVs, the demand is going to be there.

[David Kunitz]

[moriluvatar]

“There are 4 lights!”

[wtb1313]

I’m not sure it says very much, very meh right, like who would care if that’s your design.

On the negatives, I think that’s half the problem, what is that boring box bmw and why would you expect someone to pay a premium for it.

On the positive, I also think it arguably leaves lots of room for upside improvement.

The problem with that is it’s likely accomplished through wide body panels and junk aero rather than natural asthetic automobile beauty.

[BlkGS]

Frankly I can't tell a damn thing about it under the camo. It could be an E46 sedan under there as far as I could tell.

An M3 wagon with a manual would be an interesting option to me. Without one, no interest. Also, ideally the manual should offer RWD or AWD.

[[/:\] GP9000]

Still enough time - until start of production - for the design to grow on us.

I‘m actually looking fwd to see what BMW does with this new generation

These renders along E30 do look good, no?

[eljay]

Looks like they needed to "jump start" it?!

Let's hold our judgment until the official reveal. I'm sure this BMW Individual Frozen Camouflage paint version will look better in comparison.

We are now only missing a hydrogen M3 version and everyone will have their choice.

[eljay]

Originally Posted by [/:\] GP9000

Still enough time - until start of production - for the design to grow on us.

I‘m actually looking fwd to see what BMW does with this new generation

These renders along E30 do look good, no?

Those do look good!
They really need to keep the "kidneys" alone to avoid the Dodge Challenger recessed headlight look.

[lizardx]

The golden age of automotive world is concluding. F90 M5 is superior to G90 M5 (not just lookswise but being 600 kg lighter), this new 3 series seems to be going in the same design detoriating direction as new 5 series. Or look at MB, their new AMG GT is no longer mid-front engine, and gearbox is no longer transaxle, while at the same time weighing over 2000 kg. Even C63S AMG with its 2100+ kg is a phat whale instead of proper sportsaloon.

[M2 SoCal]

Are we sure this isn’t a Volvo? 😂

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by [/:\] GP9000

Still enough time - until start of production - for the design to grow on us.

I‘m actually looking fwd to see what BMW does with this new generation

These renders along E30 do look good, no?

No, no they do not look good.

[Daaaadadundun]

O ffs the dramaqueens have woken up. Going by the general shape of the car, it looks like it's following the design of the concept car. If they can achieve that then I am very much interested in this car.

[AndreiPopescu]

Originally Posted by LakeTahoeMatt

Looks narrow. I also didn’t realize an ‘i3’ is replacing my beloved 3 series. I have bought every gen since I was 16. I guess my story stops in 2026. What happens if Trump lifts the EV mandate? Do we get our cars back or the EU isn’t going to change anything? Sad really. I don’t understand who buys these cars? Without purists like us the company dies. Who buys this pos? This literally ruined my day, thanks.

If this unrealistic EV shit isn’t turned around soon, German automakers are going to get crushed, and the German economy will suffer major consequences. It’s bad enough that China is on track to surpass the EU by 2025; now they’re aiming to take down their own most profitable industry. I remember when California announced its 2035 ban on internal combustion engines, and then immediately asked people to stop charging their Teslas because the grid couldn’t handle it 😂

And it’s not just the infrastructure issue, these neue klasse or whatever BMW models won’t be competitive with Chinese EVs on price because of China’s massive EV subsidies, and they won’t be able to offer anything new to justify a premium. When your car’s drivetrain is as basic as an RC car’s, slap a dc motor with 2 driveshafts and you're good to go, it’s nearly impossible to stand out against Chinese models that are basically identical. To make matters worse, the new design is unbearable, its an insult to the brand. I defended BMW through the XM, but I just can’t with this new direction, I really feel like I have to leave this brand for good

[ledphut]

I’m always slightly amazed at the number of forum users who take time out of their day to complain about prototype cars in full camo.

Why not withhold judgment at least until the wrap comes off??