BMW has revealed the interior of its new i3 Long Wheelbase at the 2026 Chengdu Auto Show, giving a closer look at the technology and cabin design of the China-specific electric sedan. The new i3 Long Wheelbase is based on BMW’s Neue Klasse EV architecture and uses the company’s sixth-generation eDrive technology and an 800V electrical system.
It is being developed exclusively for the Chinese market and will be produced at BMW’s Shenyang plant, with production scheduled to begin in January 2027. BMW has not confirmed whether a long-wheelbase version will be sold in Australia.
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BMW i3 gets a massive panoramic display
The biggest highlight of the new i3’s cabin is BMW’s Panoramic iDrive+ Intelligent Cockpit. It combines a 17.9-inch central touchscreen with a 43.3-inch panoramic display system that stretches across the dashboard.
A 3D head-up display is also available, while the steering wheel features dedicated multi-function controls. The cabin shown at Chengdu uses a white and grey colour combination, with electrically adjustable multi-function seats and three-zone climate control adding to the premium equipment list.
A Harman Kardon sound system is also available. The long-wheelbase body should provide additional space for rear passengers, although BMW has not yet released detailed rear-seat dimensions.
More than 900km of claimed range
Under the skin, the China-market i3 Long Wheelbase uses a 108kWh battery and BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive system. BMW claims the launch version can travel up to 906km on a single charge, while the standard version is expected to achieve up to 912km.
These figures are based on China’s testing procedure and should not be directly compared with Australian or European WLTP figures. The 800V architecture is designed to support high-speed charging, although BMW has not yet detailed the charging specifications for every Chinese-market variant.
The i3 Long Wheelbase is also claimed to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds. The Chinese range will reportedly include four variants: the i3 30L, i3 40L, i3 50L and flagship i3 M60L xDrive. The latter uses a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system and produces a claimed 630hp, making it considerably more powerful than the i3 50 xDrive being introduced in other markets.
BMW stretches the i3 for China
The i3 Long Wheelbase has a wheelbase of more than 3.0 metres, giving it a longer footprint than the standard global-market i3. BMW has used its latest Neue Klasse design language, with the front end featuring a new interpretation of the brand’s kidney grille and quad-element headlights.
The radar and camera sensors for the car’s driver-assistance systems are integrated into the front lighting units.
The profile features BMW’s traditional short front overhang and long wheelbase proportions, combined with a sloping roofline and broad rear fenders.
Practicality includes a 31-litre front trunk and a 420-litre rear boot. China-specific exterior details include semi-hidden door handles and an illuminated M emblem on the C-pillar. BMW will also offer an Isle of Man Green paint finish. At the rear, an L-shaped light signature stretches horizontally from the central BMW badge.
What does this mean for Australia?
BMW Australia has not confirmed plans to introduce the i3 Long Wheelbase. The model is specifically designed for China, where it will be manufactured at BMW’s Shenyang facility. Its extended wheelbase is also intended to cater to the Chinese market’s preference for larger rear-seat space.
However, the technology preview is relevant to Australian buyers because the global Neue Klasse i3 is also being rolled out internationally. The standard-wheelbase i3 has already entered production at BMW’s Munich plant, with the global model using the same broad Neue Klasse architecture and 800V electrical system.
For Australia, the key question will be which versions and specifications BMW chooses to offer locally. The Chinese long-wheelbase model’s huge battery, claimed 900km-plus range and 630hp M60L flagship show how far BMW’s next-generation electric sedan family can be stretched. However, Australian buyers should not assume those specifications will carry across to any i3 eventually sold here.
For now, the i3 Long Wheelbase remains a China-only model, while BMW continues expanding its Neue Klasse electric vehicle line-up globally.
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