Very rarely will you hear someone say, “China always gets all the good stuff.” How times have changes though because they’re now getting all the good stuff. Case in point is what appears to be a fully electric BMW 3 Series sedan that will be badged as the i3 Sedan.
Production of the i3 hatchback halted earlier this year but it appears that BMW is injecting a new lease of life into the badge with the fully electric 3 Series sedan.
Also Read: BMW i3S: Now available in Malaysia, starting from RM 278,800
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Filed on the website of the ministry of industry and information technology of China, the i3 Sedan measures up at 4,872 mm long, 1,846 mm wide and 1,481 mm tall with an extended wheelbase of 2,966 mm denoted by the ‘eDrive 35L’ suffix. It’s quite a podgy one with a kerb weight of 2,029 kg.
Also Read: Leaked: First look at the G20 2022 BMW 3 Series facelift (LCI)
For comparisons sake, the standard G20 3 Series checks in at 4,709 mm long, 1,827 mm wide and 1,442 mm tall with a shorter wheelbase of 2,851 mm.
Breaking down the badge, the “eDrive” suggests a sole motor driving the rear wheels with the “35L” possibly denoting an approximate power output; similar to what Volkswagen does with the torque-based engine labelling. In this case, the “35L” should see the i3 Sedan deliver a punch in the 335 hp range.
Images from the site break down the range of options. You can get 18-inch or 19-inch rollers with a staggered rubber setup. Keeping with distinguishing itself as purely electric, the i3 Sedan gets some blue highlights on the outline of the kidney grilles as well on the lower trim of the rear bumper.
Also Read: The 2021 G28 BMW 3 Series (G20 long wheel base) will be coming to Malaysia, here’s why
More interestingly however would be that the images filed for the i3 Sedan could foreshadow some of the upgrades on the G20 3 Series facelift. Some notable cues include the lower endge of the headlights and the relocated reflectors on the rear bumper.
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