BMW tests new electric i3 sedan of Neue Klasse in Arctic conditions

BMW reports final Arctic winter tests of the new electric i3 Neue Klasse sedan in Sweden ahead of its March 2026 design premiere. Learn how the technology is being refined.

BMW is preparing a new generation of the fully electric i3 sedan, which will become the second model in the Neue Klasse family. Ahead of its design premiere scheduled for March 18, 2026, prototypes are undergoing final testing in extreme winter conditions in northern Sweden. BMW’s winter test centre in Arjeplog, located about 55 kilometres from the Arctic Circle, has long served as a key location where engineers refine vehicle dynamics on snow and ice before production.

Winter testing here is more than a simple durability check. Snow-covered roads and specially prepared surfaces of frozen lakes allow engineers to recreate extremely low-grip conditions. In these environments, they analyse how electronic control systems interact, optimise the behaviour of the powertrain and suspension, and fine-tune the software that governs vehicle stability and handling.

The new BMW i3 is intended to carry the character of the sporty BMW 3 Series sedan into the era of electric mobility. According to Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse BMW, the model transfers the brand’s traditional strengths — precise handling, stability and dynamic performance — into an entirely new vehicle concept shaped by electric architecture.

A central role in this architecture is played by the Heart of Joy control system. It is one of four central computing units within the Neue Klasse electronic architecture and coordinates the operation of the powertrain, braking system, energy recuperation and certain steering functions. According to BMW, this computing unit processes information ten times faster than previous systems, enabling faster responses to changing traction and driving conditions.

Combined with the software system BMW Dynamic Performance Control, the new control unit forms an integrated centre for vehicle dynamics management. This architecture allows traction and stability to be controlled with greater precision, particularly on slippery surfaces. BMW emphasises that even on ice or compacted snow the vehicle remains stable and predictable, with steering inputs translated into precise responses.

The character of the vehicle is also evident in everyday driving behaviour. The Soft-Stop function, for example, ensures exceptionally smooth deceleration. By controlling the electric motors with high precision, the car can slow down without jerks or brake noise. At the same time, the recuperation system actively recovers energy even during cornering without compromising stability.

Technically, the new BMW i3 will be among the first models equipped with the sixth-generation BMW eDrive system. The architecture uses an 800-volt electrical system and supports peak charging capacities of up to 400 kW. The drivetrain combines two types of electric motors: an externally excited synchronous motor on the rear axle and an asynchronous motor on the front axle, enabling an optimised all-wheel-drive setup.

For the BMW i3 50 xDrive version, preliminary figures indicate a maximum system output of around 345 kW, or 469 horsepower, with peak torque reaching 645 Nm. These numbers remain provisional as the vehicle is still in the development phase, and final specifications are expected closer to the start of production.

Production of the new electric sedan is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026. The model will play a significant role in BMW’s future strategy, as the Neue Klasse architecture is set to underpin the next generation of the brand’s electric vehicles.