New, all-electric BMW i3 among the elite at the 2026 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
BMW marks its 15th year as title partner of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON with an all-electric BMW i3 leading the men’s elite field, showcasing the new model’s debut in competitive use.
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON returns to Berlin this weekend, drawing over 84,000 athletes from 162 nations across multiple race categories, including handbike, wheelchair, amateur, and elite runners. BMW, serving as title partner for the 15th consecutive year, will deploy an all-electric fleet to support event operations and logistics. The new BMW i3, positioned as the lead vehicle for the men’s elite group, makes its competitive debut during the marathon, highlighting its role in BMW’s electric mobility strategy.
BMW’s new all-electric i3, produced at the Munich parent plant, introduces the second model in the Neue Klasse lineup and is scheduled for customer deliveries this year. The vehicle’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, combined with the Panoramic iDrive and Heart of Joy systems, underscores a technological leap in electric driving. BMW Symbiotic Drive further enhances the assisted driving experience, positioning the i3 as a benchmark for future electric sedans.
The BMW i3’s claimed all-electric range of up to 906 kilometers enables it to theoretically complete all seven World Marathon Majors without recharging over a two-and-a-half-year span. Its high-performance Heart of Joy computer processes responses ten times faster than prior systems, supported by three additional high-performance computers within a new software architecture. The vehicle’s design reflects modern reinterpretations of classic BMW sedan features, emphasizing sportiness and precision handling.
A total of 60 course and organizational vehicles, including the BMW iX3, iX, i5, i4, iX2, and iX1, alongside 14 BMW motorcycles and two e-scooters, will support the marathon. BMW’s motorcycle production at the Berlin plant since 1969 adds historical significance to the event’s two-wheeled support fleet. The provisional range figures for the BMW i3 are based on internal estimates and remain subject to WLTP validation and real-world conditions.