Fifty years ago, the BMW 3 Series, successor to the legendary BMW 02, marked the start of what would grow into BMW’s most iconic model range. Today, that sporty DNA is getting an electric interpretation with the BMW i3 Neue Klasse. The model has already been shown at the Munich motor show, albeit still in camouflage.
Text: Anja Van Der Borght
The premiere at the Frankfurt motor show in 1975 was an instant hit. With its sporty proportions, rear-wheel drive and uniquely dynamic handling, the first generation BMW 3 Series, the E21, firmly put the segment of sporty premium mid-size cars on the map. The E21 was a lively sedan with crisp lines designed by Paul Bracq and a driver-oriented dashboard, a hallmark that has remained to this day. Two years later, with the legendary 323i, BMW was the first in this class to introduce a six-cylinder engine, making a statement that refinement and performance can go hand in hand. The sporty character of the BMW 3 Series also earned its credentials in motorsport. In the 1980s, the first BMW M3 grew into one of the most successful touring cars of all time, bringing BMW world titles and cult status. In 1998, a BMW 320d with a turbodiesel even won the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring.
Universal appeal
Across seven generations, the BMW 3 Series has stayed true to its DNA. Think of the recognizable kidney grille, the twin round headlights, … At the same time, the model continued to pioneer. For example, BMW’s first production model with all-wheel drive carried the 3 Series badge. In terms of variety, too, the 3 Series set trends. Sedan, Touring, Coupé, Convertible, Compact and later Gran Turismo: every type of driver found their perfect match. With more than 20 million units sold worldwide, it became the best-selling premium model in the world. Today, the seventh generation, debuting in 2018 and updated in 2022, embodies more than ever the balance between sportiness and technology. With digital cockpits, advanced connectivity and above all electrification, the BMW 3 Series is also looking decisively ahead.
Spiritual successor
That era of electrification is now opening a new chapter with the introduction of the BMW i3 Neue Klasse. Not a direct successor to the iconic 3 Series, but a reinterpretation of that same sporty DNA in electric form. The name refers to the historic Neue Klasse of the 1960s, a series of sedans and coupés such as the BMW 1500, 1600, 1800 and 2000 that rescued the company after financial difficulties. Today, the brand is using the designation again to mark a comparable turning point. The BMW i3 Neue Klasse is the result of the largest investment in the group’s history and symbolizes a fully electric, digital and circular future. By 2027, BMW will have applied Neue Klasse technology across forty models.
