BMW’s Electric i3 and iX3 Raise the EV Standard With a 400-Plus-Mile Range

The current BMW i5 electric sedan has an official range of 278 to 310 miles, and it might be closer to 250 to 270 in the real world.

That is why the coming 2027 BMW i3 50 xDrive—the first of the “Neue Klasse” cars coming to the U.S. early next year and just revealed to the world—is such a game changer.

The range is estimated at 440 miles, beating most EVs on the road now, and it is coupled with exciting performance, including zero-to-60 estimated at 3.8 seconds and an impressive 463 horsepower (with 476 pound-feet of torque) from a pair of electric motors, delivering xDrive to all four wheels.

A single-motor version is down the road. The price isn’t out yet, but it is likely to begin between US$55,000 and $65,000.

If sedans aren’t your thing, the electric 3-Series will also be offered as an approximately $60,000 iX3 crossover SUV, which has a similar powertrain and performance.

The twin-motor iX3 50 xDrive has a slightly lower 400 miles of range, due in part to its less-aerodynamic shape compared with the i3. It is also not quite as speedy, getting to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

BMW design has been iffy lately, and virtually no one loves the cars with the huge kidney grilles, but the “Neue Klasse” turns the page, and the i3 and iX3 are both strikingly handsome.

The i3 isn’t a particularly lightweight vehicle, at approximately 4,850 pounds, which is why both the i3 and iX3 need a huge 108-kilowatt-hour battery pack.

The drawback could be longer charge times, but up to 400-kilowatt plug ins are available here.

At a DC fast charger, a charge from 10% to 80% should take only 21 minutes.

A 19.2-kilowatt home charger is available. The pack supports standard bidirectional charging, which means it could theoretically provide power to your home during an outage.

A bonus is that the big battery can also supply 3,700 watts for whatever you have in mind, from tailgating to camping.

The cars share basic suspension, but on the sedan an adaptive M-branded suspension is available.

Both BMWs introduce the new Panoramic iDrive, which features an 18-inch touch screen angled at the driver.

Early users say it is incredibly responsive. Inside, the standard trim features Econeer upholstery that is 100% fabricated from recycled PET bottles.

M Design cars upgrade to black Veganza (aka vegan leather). The top trim is BMW Individual with black Merino leather.

It is standard for automakers to introduce their fully loaded models out of the gate, with the more bread-and-butter versions appearing later.

BMW is certainly doing that here, but i3s and iX3s priced below $50,000 are expected fairly soon.

The momentum for electrics has certainly slowed, but cars like these—offering performance, dynamics and features superior to the conventional alternatives—should help EVs get back on track.

Rolls-Royce has opened a new chapter in its Australian story, unveiling a reimagined Sydney showroom designed to cater to a new generation of wealthy clients who view luxury not as a product, but as a personal expression of identity.

Located on O’Riordan Street in Alexandria, the showroom is the first in Australia to embody the marque’s latest global retail design language and reflects the growing importance of the local market for Rolls-Royce’s highly bespoke commissions.

The unveiling comes as demand for personalised luxury experiences continues to grow among affluent Australians, with Rolls-Royce reporting increasing interest in highly customised vehicles featuring unique materials, finishes and design elements.

Julian Jenkins, Director of Sales & Brand at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said Australia has been part of the marque’s story since its earliest days.

“Australia has been part of the Rolls-Royce story from the very beginning, with only the 54th Rolls-Royce to be made ordered by Australian Archibald Black in 1906, and today we are proud to write its next chapter,” Jenkins said.

More than just a showroom, the new space has been conceived as an immersive luxury environment where clients can begin commissioning a vehicle tailored to their tastes.

At its heart is the Bespoke Commissioning Atelier, a dedicated space where prospective owners can explore an extensive range of materials, finishes and detailing options, from rare wood veneers to embroidery threads, allowing them to create a vehicle that is uniquely their own.

The showroom also features a “Cabinet of Curiosities” that showcases objects and references inspired by the Australian landscape and creative culture, designed to spark ideas for future commissions.

Nick Pagent, CEO and Managing Director of Autosports Group, which operates Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Sydney, said today’s luxury buyers are increasingly seeking products that reflect their individuality.

“Our clients are among Australia’s most dynamic and creative individuals; they don’t simply want a motor car, they want to commission a statement of who they are,” Pagent said.

The opening also signals Rolls-Royce’s confidence in the Australian luxury market, which the company describes as one of the most vibrant in the Asia-Pacific region. The Sydney showroom follows the opening of a new Rolls-Royce showroom in Auckland in 2025, strengthening the brand’s presence across Australia and New Zealand.

For Rolls-Royce, the investment is about far more than displaying motor cars. It reflects a broader shift in luxury consumption, where affluent buyers increasingly seek experiences, craftsmanship and personalisation over standardised products.

In that sense, the new Sydney showroom is less a dealership and more a luxury atelier, one designed to help clients transform an idea into a one-of-one Rolls-Royce.

BMW’s Electric i3 and iX3 Raise the EV Standard With a 400-Plus-Mile Range

Two coming 2027 models – the first of the “Neue Klasse” cars coming to the U.S. early next year – have been revealed.

The world’s most prestigious automotive marque has unveiled its reimagined Sydney showroom, creating a new destination for Australia’s growing cohort of ultra-high-net-worth buyers seeking deeply personalised luxury.