• Possible leak from China shows BMW i3 design previewed on dashboard display.
  • Electric 3-Series appears similar to Vision Neue Klasse concepts shown previously.
  • EV makes extensive use of recycled materials for interior, body, chassis and battery.

BMW hasn’t officially revealed its upcoming electric 3-Series yet, but a pair of intriguing images circulating online may have given us our clearest look so far. The pictures appear to show the new i3 displayed on a vehicle infotainment screen from two different angles, just two days before the global debut.

We can’t confirm the images are authentic, but they certainly look convincing. The proportions and lighting signature closely resemble the Vision Neue Klasse concepts BMW has teased over the past couple of years, and there’s another interesting detail that adds credibility.

Related: The Next 3-Series Shares BMW’s Future Look, But Not The Same Foundations

The car shown in the images appears to wear the same (or very similar) distinctive wheel design BMW revealed earlier today in a sustainability focused teaser for the new i3. That doesn’t prove anything on its own, but it does make the images harder to dismiss outright. If the pictures are genuine they suggest the production i3 will keep much of the sharp and minimalist design language previewed by the concepts.

Talking Trash

BMW will unveil the car officially on March 18 as the second model built on its Neue Klasse architecture, the iX3 SUV that debuted last September being the first. And although BMW isn’t ready to drop full images and tech details for the sedan just yet, it is happy to explain how sustainability is a major part of the story.

Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked

The new i3 will use a significant amount of recycled material throughout the vehicle, just as the original, radically different i3 EV did over a decade ago. BMW says roughly 30 percent of the car consists of secondary materials including recycled aluminium used in suspension components, wheels and the rear motor housing. Around 70 percent of those sexy multi-spoke cast wheels are formed from secondary aluminium, and 80 percent of the front and rear suspension knuckles are made from secondary content.

The exterior also uses recycled plastics. For example the front bumper trim contains about 30 percent recycled plastic and has been redesigned to reduce the number of different materials required. The result is a component that is far easier to recycle at the end of the car’s life.

Cloth Trim For Base Cars

Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked

Inside the cabin BMW plans to offer seat fabrics in the base “Essential” trim made from recycled PET plastic, while some components under the hood use plastic derived partly from recovered maritime waste such as discarded fishing nets and ropes. The result of all these eco tricks, BMW says, is that the i3 50xDrive – which presumably has the same 463 hp (469 PS / 345 kW) setup as the iX3 50xDrive – achieves a CO2 advantage over a comparable combustion model after 1-2 years of use.

Don’t forget to check back here on March 18 when BMW debuts the i3 in full, and keep an eye out for more info on the similarly-styled combustion 3-Series that comes later.

Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked
Two Days Before The i3’s Debut, BMW’s Electric 3-Series May Have Leaked

BMW