BMW has released more details of the next-generation iX3, the first of its next-generation ‘Neue Klasse’ electric vehicles ahead of a 2025 Munich motor show reveal and 2026 production kick-off.
The 2026 BMW iX3 – a battery-electric Polestar 4, Tesla Model Y, Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology and Audi Q6 e-tron rival – will be the first series production BMW to use the new Neue Klasse dedicated EV platform.
Using the new architecture with a ‘Gen6’ electric powertrain, the new iX3 promises 800km (WLTP) of range – nearly double the current model’s 460km – and 400kW rapid charging adding 350km range in 10 minutes.
The current iX3 can add only 100km range after a 10-minute recharge, with new cylindrical battery cells replacing the prism design in the outgoing model.
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The platform won’t support front-wheel drive, with BMW revealing the Neue Klasse-based iX3 will be offered with single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD drivetrain variants.
Provisional outputs from the prototype dual-motor version is 300kW and 600Nm, compared to the current iX3’s 210kW/400Nm from its single rear electric motor.
The carmaker says the iX3 runs four ‘superbrains’ to separately run the various elements of the vehicle, from the powertrain to advanced driver assist systems, managed by a central ‘superbrain’ dubbed the ‘Heart of Joy’ by BMW.
Artificial Intelligence-based software will also be a feature for the driver assist systems, while also working with the BMW Dynamic Performance Control software to control the powertrain, braking, energy recuperation and steering systems.
BMW says the new system is 10 times faster than those in existing showroom models.
Pre-production iX3s have revealed the BMW Panoramic iDrive system, with ‘Panoramic Vision’ running along the bottom of the windscreen in place of a traditional instrument binnacle.
Driver instruments are also shown via a head-up display, while the cleaner dashboard has a backlit physical centre touchscreen.
The iX3’s steering wheel uses haptic controls – meaning they sense a close-proximity finger and do not need actual contact – designed to allow the driver to keep their eyes on the road.
There’s also a flatter floor courtesy of the dedicated electric car construction, and while cargo volume has not been disclosed, it should be on par – or better – than the current iX3’s 510L, which expands to 1560L with the rear seats folded.
After the first production prototypes were completed last November, BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse revealed in March the iX3 would be the first Neue Klass BMW, one of 40 new or updated models the BMW Group (which includes Mini and Rolls-Royce) to launch by 2027.
“What is still hidden under camouflage foil here will be unveiled at the IAA Mobility in Munich in early September,” Zipse said at the company’s annual conference.
“There we will present the production model that will be available to our customers.”
The conference also saw the company reveal it spent more on technology investments and product development in 2024 than any other time in its 97 years as a carmaker, with A$3.56 billion spent on Neue Klasse alone.
That makes the iX3 the litmus test for the brand’s future as the first Neue Klasse model in showrooms.
“With the upcoming BMW iX3 – the first model of the new car generation – we are introducing fundamental technology upgrades with the clear aim of raising the typical BMW driving pleasure to a whole new level,” said head of BMW Neue Klasse, Mike Reichelt, in a statement.
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