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BMW has revealed further specifications for its new i3 electric sedan, as it continues testing before its reveal later this week.
Electric Cars
BMW's new electric sedan, the Tesla Model 3-rivalling i3, is set for an 18 March reveal as prototypes undergo final evaluation testing in Alpine conditions.
This will be the first electric sedan under BMW's next-generation range of 'Neue Klasse' vehicles, following the iX3 SUV.
The 800-volt i3 is due to go into production in the second half of this year, with 400kW fast charging and up to 345kW/645Nm in dual-motor, all-wheel-drive form.
It differs from BMW's current, similarly-sized i4 electric sedan, which sits on older 400-volt underpinnings enabling DC fast charging at up to 205kW.
Prototypes of the i3 are being tested at the BMW Group's winter test centre in Arjeplog, Sweden, to evaluate and fine-tune the drive and suspension systems in extreme conditions.
The all-electric model joins the next-generation 3 Series range, and will feature the brand's 'Heart of Joy' processing system, which promises to be quicker to react to wheel slip and changes in vehicle behaviour than existing software.
According to the Bavarian brand, "it forms the powerful new driving and dynamics control unit in the BMW i3, controlling the powertrain, brakes, and some steering functions along with recuperation".
To this end, BMW is also touting a new 'Soft-Stop' function for "the smoothest stopping process ... without jerks and brake noise".
As the model is still in its development phase, BMW has yet to confirm a driving range rating for the new i3; however, the related iX3 is rated to travel up to 805km based on WLTP standards thanks to a 108.7kWh battery.
For comparison, the similarly-sized Tesla Model 3 carries a 750km driving range rating in Long Range RWD guise.
Full details are expected to be released in the coming days when the i3 is revealed in full.
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