- BMW has developed a separate version of the i3 for the Chinese market.
- The wheelbase is longer for extra legroom in the back.
- The i3 L does not have the global model’s pop-out door handles.
BMW’s sales in China have been on a downward slope for the past few years, but the luxury brand is aiming to bounce back with a new wave of Neue Klasse models. Ahead of its public debut this weekend at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, the i3 Long Wheelbase shows what most of the world can’t afford.
While most of it looks familiar, a few important details immediately stand out. Apart from the larger rear doors, the China-spec i3 doesn’t have a pop-out handle like the global version. This wasn’t a design choice on BMW’s part, but rather a last-minute change to comply with new regulations in China that effectively ban flush door handles.
Curiously, there’s an M badge etched into the glossy black plastic trim next to the C-pillar. It’s an unexpected touch considering we’re dealing with the plain Jane version, the i3 50 xDrive. Neue Klasse styling is supposed to simplify things, but BMW appears to be taking a different approach in China. To make it stand out, the M lights up when you unlock the car.
Photo by: BMW
This i3 has a wheelbase of more than three meters (118.1 inches), surpassing the 5 Series. However, the latter also has an extended version in China, which is part of BMW’s segment-blurring model portfolio. Even SUVs have received the long wheelbase treatment in a market where rear-seat legroom remains a key selling point.
Although BMW claims an impressive range of over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), the CLTC cycle on which that figure is based is known to be much more forgiving than WLTP and EPA standards. Even so, the i3 is claimed to offer leading range in its segment in China. Like international models, the electric sedan supports 400 kW charging; at full power, it only takes 10 minutes to add enough energy to cover a CLTC distance of 400 kilometers (249 miles).
BMW’s long wheelbase models have traditionally been reserved for China, but this has started to change in recent years. The new iX3 LWB has been confirmed for a few other regions, so we wouldn’t rule out seeing the sedan elsewhere. However, most markets will get the standard wheelbase version without the option of a larger version.
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Source: BMW
Motorcycle Pickup1: The stretched body doesn’t have a negative impact on the i3’s profile, as the car looks just as athletic as the i3 on the standard wheelbase. Many buyers may prefer these semi-enclosed door handles and also won’t mind the extra wheelbase. However, most will remain forbidden fruit, as will the long-wheelbase 5 Series/i5.
It remains to be seen whether the entry of China-centric BMW models will turn things around. If priced right in a highly competitive market, these products could at least help stop sales from declining. Inside, the screen-filled Neue Klasse setting feels tailored to Chinese tastes.
Despite challenging years, China remains the company’s largest single market, accounting for 25.4% of total sales in 2025, including Mini. BMW Group sold about 626,000 vehicles in China last year, a far cry from 2021, when BMW and Mini delivered about 847,900 units. With the iX3 and i3 waiting in the wings, Munich hopes to close the gap.
