Key Points
- BMW Australia has priced the new i3 electric sedan from $96,900 for the i3 40 xDrive and $112,900 for the i3 50 xDrive, before on-road costs.
- The i3 50 xDrive has a claimed WLTP range of up to 912km, while the i3 40 xDrive claims up to 710km.
- Both electric models arrive from the first quarter of 2027, alongside the petrol BMW 320 and M350 xDrive.
BMW Australia has confirmed local pricing and specifications for the new BMW i3. It is the fully electric version of the eighth-generation BMW 3 Series. The i3 40 xDrive starts at $96,900 and the i3 50 xDrive starts at $112,900. Both prices include GST and the luxury car tax but exclude on-road costs.
Deliveries begin from the first quarter of 2027. It is the first time Australian buyers can choose between petrol and fully electric powertrains within the same 3 Series generation. BMW first revealed the i3 earlier this year.
BMW i3 and 3 Series pricing in Australia
BMW will launch the new 3 Series family with four variants. Two are electric and two are petrol.
The i3 40 xDrive costs $13,000 more than the entry-level petrol BMW 320. The i3 50 xDrive is $16,000 cheaper than the petrol M350 xDrive.
2027 BMW 3 Series and i3 Pricing in Australia
Variant | Powertrain | Price* |
BMW 320 | Petrol | $83,900 |
BMW i3 40 xDrive | Electric | $96,900 |
BMW i3 50 xDrive | Electric | $112,900 |
BMW M350 xDrive | Petrol, 48V mild hybrid | $128,900 |
*BMW recommended retail pricing. Includes GST and the luxury car tax. Excludes on-road costs.
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BMW i3 power, performance and range
Both i3 models use BMW's sixth-generation eDrive technology and an 800V electrical architecture. Both have xDrive all-wheel drive.
The i3 40 xDrive produces 275kW and 520Nm. It reaches 100km/h in 5.4 seconds and has a claimed WLTP range of up to 710km.
The i3 50 xDrive produces 345kW and 645Nm. It reaches 100km/h in 4.7 seconds and has a claimed WLTP range of up to 912km. Both models have a top speed of 200km/h.
BMW i3 40 xDrive vs i3 50 xDrive: Specs
Spec | i3 40 xDrive | i3 50 xDrive |
Price* | $96,900 | $112,900 |
Drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
Power | 275kW | 345kW |
Torque | 520Nm | 645Nm |
0-100km/h | 5.4 seconds | 4.7 seconds |
Top speed | 200km/h | 200km/h |
WLTP range | Up to 710km | Up to 912km |
Max DC charging | Up to 400kW (i3 range claim) | Up to 400kW (i3 range claim) |
AC charging | 22kW | 22kW |
Battery capacity | Not confirmed for Australia | Not confirmed for Australia |
Standard wheels | 19-inch | 19-inch |
BMW quotes DC charging of up to 400kW for the i3 range. It has not confirmed whether both variants reach that peak. BMW's Australian release does not list battery capacities or charging times.
BMW says the i3 50 xDrive's range sets a new benchmark for premium sports sedans. WLTP figures are tested in laboratory conditions. Real-world range will vary with speed, temperature and driving style.
BMW i3 standard equipment
The i3 40 xDrive and i3 50 xDrive share the same standard equipment list in Australia.
Charging
- AC charging Professional, up to 22kW
- Multifunction Charger
- Fast charging cable Professional (mode 3) for public charging
- Intelligent charging flap
Exterior
- 19-inch M aerodynamic wheels (Polygon style 1061 M)
- M Sport package with dark blue metallic M Sport brakes
- Adaptive M suspension
- BMW Iconic Glow exterior package
- LED headlights and LED rear lights
- Panoramic sunroof with climate comfort glazing
- Sun protection glazing
- Expanded exterior mirror package
- Automatic tailgate
- Storage compartment under the bonnet
Interior and comfort
- Interior design Contemporary in Black bicolour
- Instrument panel in Veganza
- Multifunction front seats with electric adjustment and memory
- Heated front and rear seats
- Heated sports steering wheel
- Automatic air conditioning
- Ambient lighting
- Harman Kardon HiFi sound system
- DAB digital radio
- Wireless charging tray Plus
- Comfort access (keyless entry)
Technology and safety
- BMW Panoramic Vision
- BMW 3D Head-up Display
- BMW Digital Premium (limited duration)
- Driving Assistant Plus
- Parking Assistant Plus
- Intelligent Emergency Call and Teleservices
- Alarm system
- Acoustic pedestrian protection
- Tyre pressure monitoring and Tyre repair kit Plus
- Warning triangle
BMW i3 options and packages
BMW lists one price for each option across both i3 variants. Several interior trims are available at no cost.
BMW i3 Options Pricing
Option | Price |
20-inch M light alloy wheels, cross-spoke style 1065 M | $2,000 |
20-inch M light alloy wheels, cross-spoke style 1065 M, Jet Black | $2,600 |
20-inch M aerodynamic wheels, cross-spoke style 1066 M | $2,000 |
21-inch M aerodynamic wheels, Trigon style 1067 M, mixed tyres | $4,200 |
Interior Design Contemporary, Veganza: Black, Digital White, Castanea or Agave Green bicolour (multifunction seats only) | No cost |
Interior Design BMW M, Veganza/Performtex: Black | No cost |
BMW Individual leather, Black bicolour (multifunction seats only) | $4,000 |
BMW Individual leather, Adelaide Grey bicolour (M Sport seats only) | $4,000 |
M Sport Pro package | $4,200 |
BMW Individual steering wheel (Digital White interior only) | $300 |
M Sport Pro package
The $4,200 M Sport Pro package adds to the standard M Sport package. It includes:
- Red high-gloss M Sport brakes
- M seat belts
- M steering wheel
- M Sport seats for the driver and front passenger
- Black high-gloss M rear spoiler
- Black high-gloss mirror caps
Buyers who choose M Sport Pro can keep the dark blue M Sport brakes or the multifunction front seats at no extra cost.
Neue Klasse design and technology
The i3 is part of BMW's Neue Klasse model generation. BMW developed the petrol 3 Series alongside the i3. It is the first combustion sedan BMW has built this way. Both share the same design, digital systems and interior.
BMW has kept the 3 Series proportions but updated the look. The car has a new take on BMW's four-eyed front, sculpted wheel arches and cleaner body surfaces.
Inside, the cabin is built around BMW Panoramic iDrive and BMW Operating System X. Key features include:
- BMW Panoramic Vision
- BMW 3D Head-up Display
- Central display with QuickSelect
- BMW Operating System X
- BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant
- BMW Symbiotic Drive
- Heart of Joy vehicle dynamics control system (i3 models only)
Heart of Joy is BMW's central vehicle dynamics controller. In the new 3 Series family, it is fitted only to the electric i3.
How the BMW i3 40 xDrive compares with rivals
The table below compares the i3 40 xDrive with four electric sedans on sale in Australia. We have used the all-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3 Long Range and Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 to match the i3's dual-motor layout.
BMW i3 40 xDrive vs Tesla Model 3 vs Mercedes CLA vs Mazda 6e vs BYD Seal
Spec | BMW i3 40 xDrive | Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD | Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 4MATIC | Mazda 6e Atenza | BYD Seal Premium |
Price* | $96,900 | $64,900 | $91,300 | $52,990 | $52,990 |
Drive | AWD | AWD | AWD | RWD | RWD |
Power | 275kW | 340kW | 260kW | 190kW | 230kW |
Torque | 520Nm | 493Nm | 515Nm | 290Nm | 360Nm |
0-100km/h | 5.4 seconds | 4.4 seconds | 4.9 seconds | 7.9 seconds | 5.9 seconds |
Battery | Not confirmed | 75kWh | 85kWh | 78kWh | 82.56kWh |
WLTP range | Up to 710km | 629km | 663km | 560km | 570km |
Max DC charging | Up to 400kW | 250kW | 320kW | 195kW | 150kW |
*Prices exclude on-road costs and are correct at the time of writing.
The i3 40 xDrive has the longest claimed range and the highest quoted DC charging peak in this group. It is also the most expensive.
It costs $32,000 more than the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD. The Tesla is quicker to 100km/h and makes more power. The Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 4MATIC is the closest rival on price, at $5,600 less. The Mazda 6e Atenza and BYD Seal Premium both cost $43,910 less than the BMW.
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Petrol 3 Series models
The petrol range starts with the BMW 320 at $83,900. It produces 155kW and 330Nm, reaches 100km/h in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of 240km/h.
The BMW M350 xDrive costs $128,900. It pairs a six-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild hybrid technology. It produces 326kW and 580Nm, reaches 100km/h in 4.1 seconds and has a top speed of 250km/h.
Why the 3 Series matters to BMW in Australia
The first BMW 3 Series arrived in 1975. BMW says it has sold more than 18 million 3 Series worldwide.
It has been BMW's best-selling model in Australia. BMW Australia has recorded more than 185,000 3 Series deliveries since 1991. That is over 30 per cent of the brand's local sales in that time.
The new model is the eighth generation. BMW describes it as the biggest change in the 3 Series' 50-year history.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
