BMW’s Neue Klasse initiative marks a pivotal chapter for the Bavarian brand, with at least six fully electric models set to launch by 2028. Among these, the BMW i3 sedan stands out as one of the most anticipated—a fully electric counterpart to the popular 3 Series. It’s scheduled to hit showrooms in 2026, a year after the iX3 SUV. Now, for the first time, we’ve caught a proper prototype undergoing real-world testing.

Spotted on public roads in Germany, the camouflaged tester doesn’t stray far from the visual language of the Vision Neue Klasse concept presented in 2023. Predictably, however, the production model dials down the concept’s more dramatic flourishes in favor of something more road-ready, without losing its edge. BMW itself has described the styling as “clear, elegant, and timeless,” with subtle nods to the clean(er) lines of the E30, the 3.0 CSL, and even the 2002.

More: BMW’s Neue Klasse Design Is Coming To All ICE Models

At the front, the EV keeps the concept’s signature shark-nose profile but adapts it with larger, more conventional-looking LED headlights nestled into a wide, a wide yet relatively low-slung kidney grille—a welcome departure from the disproportionately oversized grilles that have plagued recent BMW designs. Another notable detail is the hood, beneath which lies a secondary trunk (or frunk), seen ajar during testing.

From the side, the prototype’s flared wheel arches could almost be mistaken for a high-performance M car if it weren’t for the no-nonsense wheels and high-profile tires clearly built for testing duties. Other production-ready elements include a more conventional greenhouse, functional mirrors, pop-out door handles, and subtly reshaped bumpers.

At the rear, provisional high-mounted taillights hint at the final design but are expected to be replaced by sleeker LED clusters as the car inches closer to production readiness.

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BMW Vision Neue Klasse Concept

High Tech Interior

The prototype’s interior remains under cover, but we know that production model will debut BMW’s full-width Panoramic Vision display, stretching across the base of the windshield. This will be paired with an unconventionally shaped infotainment touchscreen. While the Vision Neue Klasse concept featured colorful, avant-garde materials in its four-seat configuration, the production car is expected to tone this down in favor of a more traditional, practical five-seat layout—because, as always, function has to follow form when the rubber meets the road.

Powertrains And Range

The new i3 sedan will be the second model to leverage BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, debuting just after the iX3 SUV. An entry-level single-motor variant is rumored to deliver around 300 hp, while dual-motor configurations will up the ante for those craving more grunt.

At the top of the lineup, a halo model from the BMW M division could redefine performance EVs entirely, with rumors swirling around a quad-motor system producing a staggering 1,341 hp. If that sounds ambitious, so too does BMW’s claim that its next-gen batteries will enable over 800 km (500 miles) of range while offering lightning-fast charging capabilities. These technological strides are essential if BMW hopes to edge out not just Tesla but a growing list of challengers from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and beyond.

More: BMW’s Next ICE M3 Is A Mild Hybrid, Not A PHEV Like The Heavyweight M5

Interestingly, the i3 sedan will coexist with the combustion-powered 3 Series for the foreseeable future, reflecting BMW’s measured approach to electrification. Its direct competitors will include the Audi A4 e-tron, the forthcoming electric successor to the Mercedes C-Class, and—inevitably—the Tesla Model 3, the world’s best selling sedan.

As development of the Neue Klasse models accelerates, expect to see more prototypes emerge on European roads in the coming months.

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If you’re a fan of BMW’s design direction with the Neue Klasse concepts but find yourself less than thrilled by the electric powertrains, we have some good news for you. The Bavarian brand is rolling out this new styling language across all future models—EVs, hybrids, and yes, even good old internal combustion engines.

The next generation of BMWs will not only look similar, but they’ll also share the same high-tech, futuristic features inside, offering a nearly identical user experience no matter what’s under the hood.

More: BMW Shakes Up Design Team, Polestar’s Missoni Takes Charge

This revelation comes straight from Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group’s design boss, who assured that every future BMW, regardless of powertrain, will embrace the Neue Klasse design language. Sure, there might be “some proportional differences on the exterior and a little on the interior” between EVs and ICE models, but the overall “look and feel” will be the same.

Design Consistency Across Powertrains

Speaking with Top Gear, van Hooydonk, explained: “The big push with EVs, these technologies and this design language, will transfer over the entire product portfolio including our combustion vehicles. For the customer it won’t be difficult – they will all get new modern BMWs and they can choose the drivetrain.”

In other words, it’s a buffet of powertrains, but don’t expect a change of scenery when you switch from electric to gas. That said, BMW promises that each model will retain its own distinct character. They’re not going to pump out the same car in different sizes, so expect a bit of personality sprinkled throughout this new design era. Just how much, remains to be seen.

Van Hooydonk emphasizes the high-tech user experience in these future models, such as the BMW Panoramic Vision head-up display. Other interior highlights will include a center touchscreen with a non-conventional shape, some very futuristic steering wheel controls, and an eco-friendly touch with extensive use of recycled materials.

What’s Coming by 2026

We kind of knew that BMW is planning on expanding the Neue Klasse design to ICE-powered models from our scoop stories showing prototypes of the upcoming BMW X5. That SUV, set to arrive in 2026, will offer hybrid, PHEV, and EV options. So, regardless of how you like your power delivered, your X5 will still look like it just rolled out of the Neue Klasse playbook.

The first production model to adopt the new styling language will be the battery-powered BMW iX3, set to arrive in 2025. It’ll closely resemble the Vision Neue Klasse X concept. Following that, the production version of the Vision Neue Klasse sedan will arrive in 2026, with four more EVs joining the family over the next two years.

Van Hooydonk also promised that the production EVs won’t deviate much from the concepts: “You know how close the i3 and i8 were to their concept cars, that’s what’s going to happen here. If anything I like the production cars better because they’re a bit more compact – we’ve exaggerated the length and width here – and you have a bit more detailing and feel a little bit more refined. But the overall clean look is exactly this.”

As for the recent shake-up in BMW Group’s design team, van Hooydonk made it clear that the new design heads won’t start leaving their mark until the end of the decade. All of the BMW models that will be launched up to 2029 have been signed off under the leadership of former design boss Domagoj Dukec, before he moved to Rolls-Royce. So, whatever you think of the Neue Klasse era, you’ve got at least five years to get used to it.

BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept