BMW i3
3 Series Neue Klasse
For five decades, the BMW 3 Series has stood for consistent progress, distinctive design, and sheer driving pleasure – the very essence of the BMW brand. Now, as the second model of the Neue Klasse after the iX3, the new all-electric BMW i3 builds upon this legacy while taking a technological quantum leap into a new era.
The i3 is instantly recognisable as a modern interpretation of BMW’s sedan design, characterised by a long wheelbase with short overhangs, sharp lines and a sloping roofline. The front end features a sporty shark-nose design centred on a reimagined horizontal kidney grille, with twin headlights merging into an innovative light signature.
The side profile has pronounced wheel arches, retractable flush door handles that extend automatically, and bold lines that flow to the rear. The rear is characterised by extended horizontal taillights in an L-shaped design and a refreshed BMW roundel. New 21” M 1067 M Aerodynamic wheels further emphasise the i3’s sporty appearance.
Measuring 4,760 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, and 1,480 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,897 mm, the new i3 is very similar in size to the standard 3 Series. The newcomer is available with eleven exterior paint finishes, including new M Le Castellet Blue – exclusive to the i3.
The i3’s sporty, contemporary-styled interior creates an immediate sense of space, thanks to its purpose-built all-electric architecture. Centrally positioned is the BMW Panoramic iDrive, which comprises four key components: a Panoramic Vision display, an optional 3D Head-Up Display, a driver-oriented Central Display, and a new multi-function steering wheel.
Stylish and sustainable materials are used for the upholstery, including Econeer seat covers, consisting of a recyclable textile composite made from recycled polyester. Customers can customise the interior and exterior of their i3 with different trim levels, including M Sport.
UP TO 900 KM RANGE
BMW claims the new i3 is capable of a range of up to 900 km (in accordance with the WLTP test cycle), and advanced technologies, such as the so-called Heart of Joy superbrain, further elevate the class-leading driving dynamics that the 3 Series is renowned for.
The superbrain combines with three additional high-performance computers – covering automated driving, infotainment and comfort-enhancing functions – culminating in a new digital nervous system and offering up to 20 times more processing power than those utilised by previous BMW models.
The i3 50 xDrive launch model is powered by two electric motors, one driving the front axle and the other the rear axle, for a combined system output of 345 kW and 645 Nm of torque. Alongside its impressive range, the BMW i3 can be charged at speeds of up to 400 kW at an 800-volt DC charging station. With sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology, up to 400 km of range can be charged in just 10 minutes.
The new i3 is equipped with a comprehensive portfolio of driver and parking assistance systems, also including Soft-Stop, offering the smoothest stopping performance in BMW history. With the i3, a holistic approach was implemented towards sustainability, with a focus on decarbonisation across its entire life cycle – from product development and supply chain to the production and use phases.
The new BMW i3 will be built at BMW Group’s home, Plant Munich. Over the last four years, the production plant has seen significant modernisation, including the construction of a new body shop, a cutting-edge assembly facility, and logistics space. Production of the i3 will commence in August 2026, and first customer deliveries in Europe are expected in September. No date has been announced for its South African introduction, but we suspect it will be around mid-year 2027.
FERRARI AMALFI SPIDER
Amalfi Goes Topless
Ferrari has unveiled the topless version of the Amalfi, a new 2+ spider from Maranello featuring a front-mid-mounted twin-turbo V8 engine. Aimed at those who want a more dynamic driving experience without compromising comfort or style, the Amalfi Spider combines outstanding performance and everyday versatility with the unique pleasure of open-top motoring.
The design of the Amalfi Spider preserves the proportions and volumes of the Ferrari Amalfi, retaining its elegant, flowing silhouette even with the roof open. The soft top enhances the Spider’s versatile character by giving it a clear and distinctive position within the Prancing Horse range. At the rear, an integrated active spoiler contributes to high-speed stability, while forged wheels and carbon fibre details complete its sporty and sophisticated aesthetic.
A more expressive character can be added to the Spider through a wide range of personalisation options. Optional contrast stitching further underscores both its sporting character and its refined elegance. The distinctive weave of the technical fabric also creates a shimmering effect that enhances the material’s three-dimensionality.
The soft top opens in 13.5 seconds and can be operated on the move at speeds of up to 60 km/h. When folded, its compact packaging – just 220 mm thick – maximises luggage capacity, offering 255 litres with the roof closed and 172 litres with the roof open, in a layout suited to both everyday use and weekend getaways.
Acoustic and thermal insulation is provided by a five-layer fabric delivering soundproofing and heat insulation comparable to that of a Ferrari retractable hard top (RHT), allowing occupants to appreciate the quality of the soft-top material even when driving with the roof down.
Like the Amalfi, the cabin features a dual-cockpit layout and an evolved driver–car interface. Key elements include the steering wheel with physical buttons, the return of the iconic start button, the integrated central display, and controls designed for natural interaction even during the most dynamic driving.
The 2+ configuration enhances practicality, with rear seats suitable for travelling with children or increasing load capacity. Completing the experience, an integrated wind deflector built into the rear bench backrest, and operated at the touch of a button, improves comfort by reducing turbulence during open-top driving.
Under the long, sculpted bonnet of the Amalfi Spider nestles a powerful twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 engine delivering 470 kW and 760 Nm of torque. paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Amalfi Spider can accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, and has a top speed exceeding 320 km/h.
CHEVROLET CORVETTE GRAND SPORT
Grand Sport Revived
Chevrolet has revived one of Corvette’s most storied racing names with the new Corvette Grand Sport, and created a new legacy with the Grand Sport X. Both vehicles blend heritage-inspired design with a next-generation V8 engine that produces more torque than any other naturally aspirated V8 before it.
The duo delivers a modern take on Grand Sport’s traditional role as a sweet spot in the Corvette lineup, blending visceral V8 performance, distinctive style and everyday drivability. Born in the early 1960s as a limited run of five C2 race cars that competed at tracks like Sebring, Grand Sport has long stood for lightweight, track-focused Corvettes that look as fast as they drive.
Road-going Grand Sport models have added to the name’s formula with each generation by borrowing features from the fastest cars in each Corvette generation, while maintaining heritage colours, distinct striping, and signature fender hash-marks that once served as ways to tell the original race cars apart.
Historically, the Grand Sport has been a high-volume player in the Corvette lineup, and Chevrolet expects the Stingray and Grand Sport combined to account for the majority of Corvette sales. Reflecting the best of the eighth-generation Corvette, the next-generation LS6 6.7-litre V8 engine is at the core of the new Grand Sport and Grand Sport X.
Delivering 394 kW and 705 Nm of torque, this naturally aspirated engine sees increases in power and torque across the rev band compared to its predecessor. A larger (409 cu in) displacement and 13.0:1 compression ratio sharpen response, while a 95 mm throttle body and tunnel ram intake with high-velocity ports move more air to unlock additional power.
A new lubrication system, forged pistons and rods, and revised exhaust manifolds ensure durability in extended high-load, high-temperature environments, and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission routes all this power to the wheels. The LS6 represents the start of the sixth generation of Small Block V8s, extending a legacy more than 70 years in the making.
Engineered for the purist, the 2027 Grand Sport blends classic naturally aspirated V8 character with rear-wheel-drive dynamics and also features a quad centre-exit exhaust – the first time a centre exhaust has been offered on a pushrod V8 in the eighth generation of Corvette.
The Grand Sport X expands the formula by adding all-wheel-drive, creating a chest-compressing 530 kW express. It pairs the LS6 V8 at the rear axle with a front-axle electric motor and compact battery pack from the Corvette ZR1X to create an eAWD Corvette.
The new Grand Sport and updated Stingray will be built in GM’s Bowling Green Assembly from the middle of this year, so right-hand drive versions are expected to be available from later next year.
Report by FERDI DE VOS
