BMW gives US price and range for electric i3 sedan, due Q1 2027
BMW said the 2027 i3 50 xDrive will start at $61,500 with an estimated range of up to 468 miles, arriving in the US in the first quarter of 2027. Two left-leaning US tech outlets covered the details.
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The story, neutrally told
BMW has announced US pricing and more specifications for the electric i3 sedan, which is built on its Neue Klasse platform. The VergeLC “Today, the German automaker is finally starting to fill in the blanks on the i3.” Read at The Verge ↗ Ars TechnicaLC “Built on an all-new platform called Neue Klasse, it now offers a fully electric version for the first time” Read at Ars Technica ↗ The 2027 i3 50 xDrive starts at $61,500; The Verge adds a $1,350 destination fee. The VergeLC “BMW says the 2027 i3 50 xDrive will start at $61,500, plus a $1,350 destination fee” Read at The Verge ↗ Ars TechnicaLC “we can tell you the price of the 2027 i3 50 xDrive: $61,500” Read at Ars Technica ↗ Both outlets say the car reaches US showrooms in the first quarter of 2027. The VergeLC “BMW confirmed an official launch in the first quarter of 2027” Read at The Verge ↗ Ars TechnicaLC “BMW says that the first cars will arrive in Q1 2027.” Read at Ars Technica ↗
The Verge reports an EPA-based range estimate of about 468 miles, up from its own March guess of around 440. Ars Technica says EPA certification is not finished and gives an expected range of 446 to 468 miles. The VergeLC “BMW says the actual estimated figure will be closer to 468 miles, based on EPA testing” Read at The Verge ↗ Ars TechnicaLC “it expects 446 to 468 miles (718-753 km) of range on a single charge” Read at Ars Technica ↗ The dual-motor setup produces a combined 463 hp. The outlets differ on torque, with The Verge giving 476 lb-ft and Ars Technica 467 lb-ft. The VergeLC “for a total output of 463 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque” Read at The Verge ↗ Ars TechnicaLC “a combined 463 hp (345 kW) and 467 lb-ft (633 Nm)” Read at Ars Technica ↗ BMW has not disclosed battery capacity, but says the car uses its Gen6 battery with cylindrical cells. The VergeLC “BMW is still keeping mum on the i3’s battery capacity” Read at The Verge ↗ Ars TechnicaLC “the new cylindrical cell battery pack, which uses a cell-to-body approach” Read at Ars Technica ↗
A higher-performance i3 M60 xDrive is due in 2027, with its price still to be announced. The VergeLC “That version will arrive sometime in 2027 for an unspecified price.” Read at The Verge ↗ Ars TechnicaLC “Pricing for those future electric variants will be revealed closer to their sale dates.” Read at Ars Technica ↗ Ars Technica also lists gasoline versions of the new 3 Series, including the $49,900 330, and compares the i3 with the 2026 i4 xDrive40, which starts at $62,300. Ars TechnicaLC “the 2027 330, which starts at $49,900, a $1,900 premium over the outgoing 2026 model”“the 2026 i4 xDrive40, which is less powerful but also has 60 percent of the range, currently starts at $62,300” Read at Ars Technica ↗ The Verge covers the interior technology, including a 17.9-inch touchscreen, a windshield display and Amazon's Alexa. The VergeLC “The 17.9-inch central touchscreen presents as a free-cut display”“BMW is integrating Amazon’s Alexa into the i3.” Read at The Verge ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets treat the story as a product and pricing update. The Verge leads with range and filling in earlier gaps; Ars Technica leads with the order books opening and the price premium of the EV over gasoline 3 Series models.
- Emphasis
- The Verge stresses range, motors, software and Alexa integration. Ars Technica stresses the price ladder across 3 Series variants and comparison with the i4.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither gives battery capacity. Ars Technica says little about interior technology, and The Verge says little about the gasoline models.
- Charged language
- “hefty premium”“hotly anticipated”“pretty impressive”“Frustratingly”
- For example
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“The range figures quoted in the press release are pretty impressive.” — The Verge
“BMW has opened the US order books for its hotly anticipated new 3 Series sedan.” — Ars Technica
Centre1 outlet
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The 2027 i3 50 xDrive starts at $61,500.
- US arrival is expected in the first quarter of 2027.
- Combined output is 463 hp from two motors.
- The i3 uses a sixth-generation battery with cylindrical cells.
- An i3 M60 xDrive follows later, with pricing not yet given.
Where accounts differ
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Torque and range figures
- Left
- The Verge gives 476 lb-ft and a range of about 468 miles. Ars Technica gives 467 lb-ft and a range of 446 to 468 miles, noting that EPA certification is not finished.
BMW organisation
BMW presents the i3 as launching in the US in Q1 2027 at $61,500, with longer range than earlier estimates, and is withholding battery capacity and some pricing.
“BMW says the 2027 i3 50 xDrive will start at $61,500” — The Verge
“BMW has opened the US order books” — Ars Technica
Left2 articles
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BMW’s revamped i3 boasts up to 468 miles of range
Mixed Detailed product rundown that is impressed by the range and price but frustrated by the missing battery capacity.
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BMW reveals US 3 series pricing: The EV carries a hefty premium
Mixed Pricing-focused report that praises the range and notes the EV's premium over gasoline models.
Centre1 article
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 29 Sep 23:01 First The VergeLC BMW’s revamped i3 boasts up to 468 miles of range
- 30 Sep 15:42 +16h 42m Ars TechnicaLC BMW reveals US 3 series pricing: The EV carries a hefty premium
- 30 Sep 20:19 +21h 19m TechCrunchN BMW built the same car for gas and electric. The EV is $4,400 cheaper.
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.