2026 BMW 3 Series sedan and wagon EVs previewed in renders

We've had a crack at imagining the next-generation BMW 3 Series in both sedan and wagon form.

Formally shown off at this year's IAA Motor Show in Munich, BMW's Neue Klasse concept foreshadows the Bavarian brand's future. And it does so with the form factor that's defined BMW since 1975: the 3 Series.

The current 'G20' 3 Series is expected to live on until 2026 and the X3 is pipped to be the first model to utilise the brand's Neue Klasse architecture – you can see our imagination of that vehicle at the link below.

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New 'Neue Klasse' BMW i3 M50 electric sedan, imagined by Theottle | © Wheels Media

This time, rendering guru Theottle's combined the salient feature of Neue Klasse exterior design with some hallmark 3 Series traits to envisage an all-new i3 sedan and wagon.

With the same horizontal grilles (thank goodness BMW is moving away from the buck-teeth 4 Series items) as the concept and confident swage line the run low on the door, there's plenty of Neue Klasse in our imagination.

'Our' i3's lower valance has been tweaked to make it more production-ready than the concept's splitter.

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New 'Neue Klasse' BMW i3 M50 electric sedan, imagined by Theottle | © Wheels Media

At the rear, key 3 Series lineage is clear in this imagination. The modern interpretation of the Hofmeister Kink at the C-Pillar gives way to a short boot lid that slopes gently into the 3 Series' signature Kamm tail rear end.

For a more production-ready look, the render has a simpler rear taillight design than the concept. The LED lights stand proud, and slope in at the BMW roundel.

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New 'Neue Klasse' BMW 3 Series Touring, imagined by Theottle | © Wheels Media

Then we've got the wagon to talk about. BMW has confirmed a long-roofed 'Touring' body will follow the i3 sedan to market.

About six months behind the three-box design, like the current 3 Series expect the wagon to share everything forward of the B-Pillar with the sedan.

From there back, it's a different – more conventional – interpretation of the Hofmeister Kink, with the rear guards appearing more blistered. A narrow rear window should be able to open freely from the bulky tailgate for easy loading of smaller objects – another 3er Touring hallmark.

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New 'Neue Klasse' BMW 3 Series Touring, imagined by Theottle | © Wheels Media

Of course, the Neue Klasse is about more than exterior design as BMW – like plenty of other manufacturers – transitions to a 'mobility' company, rather than car-maker.

That means occupants will get to interact with the cabin in a whole new way, there's a panoramic head-up display we saw on the i-Vision Dee, and a focus on recycled materials inside.

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What do you think of our 2026 i3/3 Series imagination, are we on the money? And is this a fitting continuation of the 3 Series legacy? Have your say in the comments.

Below: BMW Neue Klasse concept

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