While the BMW 7 Series and i7 facelift grabs the headline slot for BMW's April 22 Beijing debut, the company is using Auto China 2026 to launch something arguably more strategically important. The BMW i3 Long Wheelbase, developed under the internal codename NA8, is a China-specific electric sedan that marks the first Neue Klasse four-door built with a market-specific wheelbase. Production begins at BMW's Shenyang plant in August 2026.
The NA8 is not simply a stretched version of the global i3 sedan. It is a distinct product line with four variants, its own naming convention, and a powertrain range that culminates in a 630-horsepower M60L xDrive. For BMW, the i3 LWB is the answer to the fact that nearly every flagship electric sedan sold in the Chinese premium segment now arrives with a wheelbase exceeding three meters. The 3 Series sedan has defended its share for three decades by staying conservative. The i3 LWB abandons that restraint for the one market where restraint does not sell.
🔧 Four Variants, One Shenyang Line
The i3 Long Wheelbase lineup is structured around four distinct trims:
- i3 30L — entry-level rear-wheel drive
- i3 40L — mid-range with upgraded battery
- i3 50L — dual-motor all-wheel drive
- i3 M60L xDrive — performance flagship at approximately 630 horsepower
BMW's Shenyang plant, operated through the BBA joint venture with Brilliance Auto, is the only facility in the world that will build the NA8. Production starts August 2026, with first Chinese deliveries scheduled for October or November depending on variant.
⚡ 750 km WLTP, 400 kW Charging
The specifications represent a full Neue Klasse implementation. The i3 LWB runs on the same 800-volt electrical architecture as the iX3 Long Wheelbase, supports 400 kW peak DC charging, and uses BMW's Gen6 battery technology. Projected WLTP range for the lower-trim variants reaches approximately 750 kilometers. The M60L xDrive version trades some range for peak output but remains above 600 km on WLTP.
Charging performance matches the iX3 LWB's marquee 10-to-80 percent figure of roughly 21 minutes. For Chinese long-distance corridor driving, this puts the i3 LWB on par with the domestic competition from Nio, Xpeng, and BYD that has dominated the premium electric sedan segment.
🚗 Dimensions Built Around Rear Legroom
BMW has not publicly disclosed the full dimensions of the NA8 chassis, but reporting based on Chinese regulatory filings indicates a wheelbase approaching 3,100 mm, up significantly from the standard i3 sedan platform. As with the iX3 Long Wheelbase, the additional length is directed entirely to second-row legroom and cargo area. The exterior design language stays consistent with the Neue Klasse family: simplified front and rear end treatments, the new illuminated kidney grille signature, and flush door handles.
Inside, the i3 LWB carries the Panoramic iDrive interface and the same China-localized software stack that debuts on the iX3 LWB. DeepSeek and Alibaba LLM integration come standard, as does the Amap navigation partnership and the Momenta-developed ADAS tuned for Chinese traffic patterns.
🏁 The M60L xDrive and the Chinese Performance Market
The M60L xDrive is the more interesting technical story. At approximately 630 horsepower from dual motors, the variant is positioned directly against the Nio ET9 performance trim and the Zeekr 001 FR. Dual permanent magnet motors deliver launch-control-style acceleration numbers BMW has not yet quantified publicly but which are expected to land below 3.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.
The decision to offer an M-branded variant at launch rather than adding it later signals how seriously BMW is taking the Chinese premium performance segment. Historically BMW reserved the M subbrand for combustion cars and only slowly extended it to electric products. The M60L xDrive is one of the first electric M models designed for a specific market first and the global lineup second.
Why the i3 LWB Matters
For BMW's Chinese business, the i3 LWB completes a two-sedan, two-SUV Neue Klasse electric product range. With the iX3 LWB and the i7 refresh handling the upper segments, and the standard i3 sedan reaching global markets, the NA8 fills the executive-class sedan slot with a product specifically designed to compete on the software, charging, and rear-cabin metrics that define Chinese luxury buyer expectations.
Press days for Auto China 2026 run April 22 through 23. Full pricing and range details for the i3 Long Wheelbase are expected during the BMW press conference scheduled for the morning of April 22, ahead of the public show opening on April 24.
