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BMW unveils stretched i3 sedan in all nine colours at Chengdu Auto Show
BMW's Chinese division has shown the long-wheelbase i3 sedan in all nine available colours at the Chengdu Auto Show. The stretched electric sedan, which goes on sale in Q1 2027, features a longer wheelbase, revised door handles, and an illuminated M logo.
By George Kensington · 4 min read
BMW has given the public its first full look at the long-wheelbase i3 sedan, displaying the electric car in all nine of its available colours at the Chengdu Auto Show this week. The stretched version, known internally as “NA8,” is being prepared for the Chinese market, where it will go on sale in the first quarter of next year. The company has not yet named the full colour palette, but familiar shades such as Fire Red, Alpine White, and Black Sapphire are clearly visible among the display models.
The most notable addition is Isle of Man Green, which marks the first time a Chinese-built BMW has been painted in that shade. It will be offered alongside the lighter Eucalyptus Green. Space Silver also appears to be on the list, along with a matte Frozen version from BMW Individual catalogue. The colour range is not the main talking point of the car, however. The long-wheelbase i3 differs from the global “NA0” model by having a wheelbase of 3,005 millimetres, an increase of 108 millimetres over the standard version. The extra length is most visible in the rear doors, which are noticeably longer than those on the international model.
The elongated sedan also introduces a change to its door handles. Instead of the completely flush pop-out handles used on the global i3, the Chinese version adopts a semi-enclosed design shared with older BMW models. The company made this last-minute alteration to comply with a new safety regulation in China. The long-wheelbase iX3, which opened its order books in China this week, uses the same door handle design for the same reason.
Another visual change can be found at the Hofmeister kink, where an illuminated M logo sits next to the rear pillar. Despite this detail, the car is not an M Performance version or an electric M3. It is a standard i3 fitted with the M Sport Package. BMW has not confirmed whether it will offer the sedan without that package, which raises the question of whether the M badge would be removed from the design in that case.
The interior of the long-wheelbase i3 largely carries over from the standard model, but the extended wheelbase provides noticeably more legroom in the back. As with the stretched iX3 “NA6,” the elongated sedan gives the impression of a more premium cabin even though the design itself is mostly unchanged. The extra space is likely to appeal to buyers who prioritise rear-seat comfort, a key consideration in the Chinese luxury sedan segment.
Pricing for the i3 Long Wheelbase has not been announced yet, as the car is not launching until early next year. However, it is expected to slightly undercut the equivalent iX3 Long Wheelbase model. The electric luxury crossover currently starts at RMB 269,900, which is roughly $40,000, for the 30L model. The mid-range 40L xDrive begins at RMB 299,900, or about $44,600, while the range-topping 50L xDrive starts at RMB 339,900, approximately $50,500.
The Chengdu Auto Show appearance gives Chinese customers their first chance to see the stretched i3 in person ahead of its market launch. The car is part of BMW’s broader push to strengthen its position in China’s competitive electric vehicle market, where local manufacturers have been gaining ground. By offering a longer, more spacious version of the i3, BMW is tailoring the sedan to the preferences of Chinese buyers, who often favour rear-seat comfort and a more imposing presence.
