Confirmed by BMW
BMW presented the i3 Long Wheelbase as one of the first Neue Klasse models developed in China for China. BMW confirms Gen6 eDrive, China-specific digital functions and a long-wheelbase cabin brief.
i3 (NA8) — Long-wheelbase Sedan
Expected: second half of 2026
Future model: facts and sourcesThe model itself is officially confirmed by BMW; reported codenames and unpublished specifications are marked separately.
- Internal code
- NA8 (reported code)
- Production
- Future model — series production not yet confirmed
- Body style
- 4-door long-wheelbase sedan
- Platform
- China-specific Neue Klasse · Gen6
Future modelNA8
No vehicle photograph is shown until a rights-cleared image of the production model is available.
Body variants
i3 → NA8 → Long-wheelbase Sedan
What we know about the BMW i3 NA8
A plain-language guide without filling unknown specifications with guesses.
The long-wheelbase i3 for China made its world premiere at Auto China 2026. The vehicle is official; NA8 and the reported January 2027 production timing remain specialist information.
What is already known. BMW presented the i3 Long Wheelbase as one of the first Neue Klasse models developed in China for China. BMW confirms Gen6 eDrive, China-specific digital functions and a long-wheelbase cabin brief.
What specialist sources report. NA8 and a January 2027 production start are reported by the Bimmerpost model program. What remains unknown. Final derivative names, dimensions, range, output and market availability outside China are not established.
Officially confirmedconfidence level
second half of 2026expected timing
NA8reported / official code
1expected bodies
2026-08-10verified
3sources
Long-wheelbase Sedan: what has been revealed
If BMW has not published a dimension, it stays unknown; a prototype or related model cannot supply an exact answer.
LengthNot published
WidthNot published
HeightNot published
WheelbaseNot published
LuggageNot published
Fuel tankNot published
Seats5
Doors4-door long-wheelbase sedan
| Body | Code | Production | Doors / seats | Length | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-wheelbase Sedan | NA8 (reported code) | Expected: second half of 2026 | 4-door long-wheelbase sedan / 5 | Not published | Not published |
Known powertrain information
BMW's announcements come first, followed by versions reported by Bimmerpost and BMWBLOG, with unknowns kept separate.
Body range inventory
Known model names and powertrain families for the long-wheelbase sedan branch, kept separate until each exact pairing is verified.
| Field | Catalogued data |
|---|---|
| Body code | NA8 (reported code) |
| Production | Future model — series production not yet confirmed |
| Model designations | BMW i3 Long Wheelbase |
| Engine / drive families | Gen6 battery-electric; final variants not catalogued |
| Data status | Preliminary range. Exact combinations will follow the factory reveal and market-specific data. |
Specialist reporting
NA8 and a January 2027 production start are reported by the Bimmerpost model program.
Still unknown
Final derivative names, dimensions, range, output and market availability outside China are not established.
Platform, drive and transmissions
Only announced details appear here; final hardware may vary by derivative and market.
Drive concept
Gen6 battery-electric; final variants not catalogued
Transmission / reduction gears
Added only after BMW publishes derivative-specific data.
What has not been announced
Exact output, battery, transmission and driven wheels will appear here after production data is published.
The technology expected
What BMW has confirmed, what specialist sources report and which questions remain open.
Official facts
- BMW presented the i3 Long Wheelbase as one of the first Neue Klasse models developed in China for China.
- BMW confirms Gen6 eDrive, China-specific digital functions and a long-wheelbase cabin brief.
Reported program
- NA8 and a January 2027 production start are reported by the Bimmerpost model program.
Open questions
- Final derivative names, dimensions, range, output and market availability outside China are not established.
When to expect more detail
Official dates and specialist-reported timing are labelled separately because production plans can still move.
World premiere
BMW presents the long-wheelbase i3 at Auto China in Beijing.
Production timing
Insider reporting points to the start of customer production; BMW has not published the exact month globally.
Bodies and versions expected
This is the current view of the programme, not a final price list; the derivative mix can still change.
Long-wheelbase Sedan
NA8 (reported code)China-developed electric sedan with additional rear-seat emphasis and locally integrated digital services.
Cabin and equipment already announced
Prototype features are not treated as production equipment until BMW includes them in the model description.
Announced technology
- BMW presented the i3 Long Wheelbase as one of the first Neue Klasse models developed in China for China.
- BMW confirms Gen6 eDrive, China-specific digital functions and a long-wheelbase cabin brief.
What is still open
- Final derivative names, dimensions, range, output and market availability outside China are not established.
What should become clear next
Which questions the world premiere should answer and what will only be known after series production begins.
The main unknowns
- Final derivative names, dimensions, range, output and market availability outside China are not established.
At the world premiere
- Production design, launch derivatives and core technology should become clear.
- Prices and equipment will still vary by country.
After production starts
- Final dimensions, weight, consumption or range data will become available.
- The page can move from future models into the regular catalog.
| Item | Interval / trigger | Catalog note |
|---|---|---|
| Before series production | At every official release | Update confirmed facts and verification date. |
| After technical data is published | Per market and derivative | Add exact dimensions, weight, output, range and consumption. |
| After customer deliveries | From factory documentation | Build the normal service and identification record. |
What the name and internal code mean
The sales name may be official even when the internal code and exact date come only from specialist reporting.
- Model status
- Officially confirmed
- Codename
- BMW does not always publish an internal code with the sales name. When a code comes only from specialist reporting, it is marked as such.
- Verification date
- 2026-08-10
- Timing
- second half of 2026
- Production car
- Before production begins, the model has no customer VINs or final factory specification.
Where the information comes from
Each claim shows where it comes from: official BMW material, specialist reporting or an open question.
- 01The Start of a New Era: Auto China 2026BMW Group PressClub · official
Official world-premiere confirmation and China-specific technology context.
- 02BMW i3 Long Wheelbase debutBMWBLOG · launch coverage
Independent debut summary and reported program context.
- 03Future BMW model information master threadBimmerpost · insider reporting
Long-running insider compilation used only for reported codenames, production windows and derivative plans; it is not an official BMW source.
Notes and limitations
- Information checked 2026-08-10; expected timing: second half of 2026.
- Official BMW statements and specialist reporting are labelled separately.
- Unknown figures are not replaced with estimates before production data is published.
- The article will be updated after a new official announcement or a production-schedule change.
3 primary references · market differences documentedUpdated 6 August 2026