First look at the BMW i3 Sedan. Fans will be devided.

These are the first photos of the real thing: the all-new BMW i3 sedan. This is the model many enthusiasts have been waiting to see for quite a while. It’s essentially a sedan version of the new BMW iX3 and, at least in theory, the production version of the striking Neue Klasse concept from 2023.

Unfortunately, the three years since the concept first appeared have not been kind to the i3 sedan. The production design seems to have very little in common with that original vision. The patent images that surfaced last year also appear to have been misleading, or perhaps they were simply patents related to the concept itself.

What we see now looks like an attempt to squeeze a few Neue Klasse styling cues into the shape of an older 3 Series sedan, and not even the current one. The end result feels oddly familiar and surprisingly conservative. Instead of a bold step forward, the design seems stuck somewhere between past and future.

This could leave both sides of the BMW fan base dissatisfied. Many people were horrified by the brand’s controversial designs over the past few years, especially the massive grilles that dominated models like the 4 Series. But at the same time, some traditionalists never fully embraced the clean and minimalist Neue Klasse concept either.

It now looks like BMW may have managed to please almost no one with the new i3. Fans who loved the concept will likely be disappointed by how toned down the production car appears, while those who prefer BMW’s current design language might struggle with the Neue Klasse-inspired front end. ( I know my cousin Albert will…)

On its own, the car actually looks almost decent. The proportions are almost OK, and the silhouette remains recognizably BMW. (However in a cheap looking way). But the moment you place it next to the concept, the difference is striking. Suddenly the production model feels lumpy and older than it should, lacking the futuristic energy that made the concept so exciting. Instead of looking like the future of BMW, it risks appearing like a design that could have debuted a decade ago.

The interior will almost certainly mirror what we’ve already seen in the iX3. That means a highly digital cabin with large displays, a simplified dashboard, and minimal physical controls. While the technology will undoubtedly be impressive, the design itself may feel way overdone for some buyers who still appreciate a more driver-focused layout.

There is still plenty we don’t know about the i3 sedan, especially regarding performance, range, and pricing. BMW’s Neue Klasse platform promises major improvements in efficiency, battery technology, and software integration. Those technical advancements could ultimately make the car far more compelling than its styling might suggest.

Still, expectations were extremely high for BMW’s new design era, and early impressions of both the iX3 and this new i3 sedan raise questions about whether the brand has truly nailed the transition.

If nothing else, one thing seems clear: the infamous “Bugs Bunny” oversized grille era appears to be over.