BMW has opened orders for the i3 50 xDrive First Edition, an all-electric sedan priced from £57,905 ($76,990) on-the-road with a WLTP range of up to 563 miles. The First Edition is the first orderable version of the BMW i3, the second model on the brand’s Neue Klasse platform, and reaches buyers ahead of the car’s UK market launch in autumn 2026. It is based on the M Sport model and adds further standard equipment, including BMW Iconic Glow, a 3D Head-Up Display and faster AC charging.
Highlights
- The BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition is priced from £57,905 ($76,990) on-the-road, with order books open now.
- BMW reports a provisional WLTP range of 471–563 miles for the First Edition; the standard i3 50 xDrive is rated up to 567 miles.
- The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces 469 hp and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm), with 0–62 mph in 4.7 seconds.
- A 108.7 kWh battery on an 800-volt architecture can add up to 263 miles of range in 10 minutes at a 400 kW DC charger.
Pricing and Order Timing
The i3 50 xDrive First Edition is available to order now, priced from £57,905 ($76,990) OTR. When the standard i3 50 xDrive reaches its UK market launch in autumn 2026, it will start at £53,005 ($70,475) OTR. BMW lists a provisional WLTP range of up to 563 miles for the First Edition and up to 567 miles for the standard model; the company notes all values are provisional.
| First Edition | i3 50 xDrive (standard) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (OTR) | £57,905 ($76,990) | £53,005 ($70,475) |
| WLTP range | up to 563 miles | up to 567 miles |
| Availability | order now | market launch autumn 2026 |
Jochen Goller, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Customer, Brands, Sales, said: “The new BMW i3 is a groundbreaking car for us. As a fully electric model, it will be competing in a high-volume segment and is therefore extremely significant for the BMW Group. At the same time, we can already tell from the high level of interest in this model that it will be very well received by our customers. The start of orders on 18 June in First Edition form – ahead of the official market launch – is an important next step here.”
What the First Edition Adds
Based on the M Sport model, the First Edition layers additional standard equipment over the i3 50 xDrive’s specification. Key additions include:
- BMW Iconic Glow, BMW 3D Head-Up Display and AC Charging Professional, which raises the AC charging rate from 11 kW to 22 kW.
- Interior equipment: electrically adjustable front multifunction seats, three-zone automatic climate control, sun protection glazing, steering wheel heating, a Harman Kardon surround sound system and automatic tailgate operation.
The 3D Head-Up Display sits above the Panoramic Vision display and projects content into the driver’s line of sight. Options include rear seat heating, a panoramic glass sunroof, an electrically operated tow bar, BMW Digital Premium, Parking Assistant Plus, Parking Assistant Professional and the Motorway Assistant. Six exterior paint finishes are offered, including the new M Le Castellet Blue, with 19- and 20-inch wheels and Contemporary or BMW M-themed interior designs.
Sixth-Generation eDrive Powertrain and Charging
The i3 50 xDrive uses two electric motors, one on each axle, for a combined output of 469 hp and peak torque of 476 lb-ft (645 Nm); BMW states 0–62 mph takes 4.7 seconds, with identical figures for the First Edition. The sixth-generation eDrive system pairs with the Heart of Joy control computer and BMW Dynamic Performance Control software, which the company says responds ten times faster than previous systems. A Soft Stop function brings the car to a halt through motor control rather than friction braking.
Power comes from a high-voltage battery with new cylindrical cells and a net capacity of 108.7 kWh, housed in a pack-to-open-body design that doubles as a structural component. The 800-volt architecture supports up to 263 miles of added range in 10 minutes on a 400 kW DC rapid charger, according to BMW, and the car supports bidirectional charging. BMW lists WLTP energy consumption between 13.5 and 16.1 kWh per 62 miles, with zero tailpipe CO2 and a class A efficiency rating.
Design and Interior Technology
The i3 carries a 2.5-box design that echoes the proportions of the BMW 3 Series, with a long wheelbase, short overhangs and a glasshouse set well back. The kidney grille and twin headlights merge into a single light signature, and L-shaped rear lights extend into the shoulder.
Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse BMW, said: “The BMW 3 Series has been an icon of our brand for seven generations and therefore more than five decades. It encapsulates pure driving pleasure, innovation and timeless design. With the Neue Klasse and its technology clusters, we are literally skipping a vehicle generation. This is the DNA of our sporting saloon in a completely new vehicle concept as we write the next chapter in the BMW 3 Series success story.”
Inside, BMW Panoramic iDrive with Operating System X centers on Panoramic Vision, which projects content across the lower width of the windshield. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant adds large language model technology through Alexa+, supporting natural-language control of vehicle, navigation and media functions.
Driver Assistance
The i3 introduces BMW Symbiotic Drive, which lets drivers accelerate, steer or brake without switching off the active assistance system. The optional Motorway Assistant enables hands-free assisted driving on the highway at up to 81 mph, with automated lane changes confirmed by an eye signal. BMW classifies the system as SAE Level 2 automation and plans to offer the Motorway Assistant in most European countries, the United States and Canada by the end of 2026.
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