Quick Highlights:
- First Neue Klasse SUV: Introduces BMW’s bold new design language and software-defined vehicle architecture.
- 497-Mile Range: 108-kWh cylindrical battery with up to 400-kW fast charging delivers 497 miles (WLTP) and ~400 miles (EPA).
- Futuristic Cabin: 43-inch Panoramic Vision display across the windshield, 17.9-inch touchscreen, and innovative “shy-tech” steering controls.
- Powerful Performance: Dual motors generate 463 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds, top speed 130 mph (210 km/h).
Here’s something big from BMW. The first production vehicle to be based on the Neue Klasse platform is the 2026 iX3, and it immediately feels like the company has gone all-in: the grille is narrow and tall, the headlights are cut into the front fenders, and the stance is lower and broader than the existing X3.
The car is a cockpit on the inside, rather than an SUV. The engineers of BMW have linked it all—motors, suspension, driver-assist systems—so the steering is direct, the adaptive cruise control functions seamlessly, and the updates delivered via the air actually enhance the experience without you needing to go to a dealer. Manufacturing is set to begin in Debrecen, Hungary, with shipments to the USA expected to commence in summer 2026.
Wander around the iX3, and what will immediately engage your attention is how Neue Klasse lives in the details: the reduced number of creases, the less rugged surfaces, the preoccupation with proportion rather than flash. It does not shout EV; the car is like BMW, but smarter.
Design: Retro Meets Modern
The design of the iX3 incorporates the heritage of Neue Klasse with the modern SUV. The kidney grilles are now tall and slim, reflecting the 1960s 1600 and 2002 models, with a more proportionate and refined appearance than previous X3 designs. Horizontal accent strips and vertical LED headlights provide a futuristic concept-car appearance to the front fascia.
From the side, the iX3 measures 4,782 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,635 mm tall, with a 2,897 mm wheelbase, slightly longer and lower than the previous X3. Subtle wheel-arch flares give it a muscular stance. Rear taillights stretch inward but remain separate, echoing the front’s geometry. Optional M Sport packages add aggressive visual touches, while the cabin introduces futuristic ergonomics, including a 43-inch Panoramic Vision display, 17.9-inch angled touchscreen, and “shy-tech” steering controls with haptic feedback.
Performance and Powertrain
Power is provided by a two-motor system with an electrically excited synchronous rear motor and an asynchronous front motor, which produces 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 475 lb-ft (644 Nm) of torque. The iX3 accelerates to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).
The cylindrical 108-kWh battery increases energy density by 20% and enables up to 497 miles WLTP range (~400 miles EPA). Charging is incredibly fast: 400 kW DC adds 231 miles in 10 minutes, and 11 kW AC is standard, with the ability to upgrade to 22 kW. Bidirectional charging enables V2L, V2H, and V2G, allowing the SUV to charge devices, homes, or supply a load back to the grid.
Interior Technology
Inside, BMW has removed the rotary iDrive knob and traditional instrument cluster in favor of digital innovation. The Panoramic Vision display projects speed, gear, navigation, and six configurable widgets across the windshield on a 43.3-inch (110-cm) nano-coated black-printed surface spanning from A-pillar to A-pillar. The 17.9-inch central touchscreen controls infotainment and secondary functions, running Operating System X for simpler menus. The screen is angled 17.5 degrees toward the driver and features a resolution of 3,340 x 1,440 pixels for exceptionally crisp graphics. Drivers can drag and drop content from the central display to the Panoramic Vision display.
The driver-assistance superbrain enables adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and hands-off highway driving with smooth handoff between human and machine. Optional 3D head-up display is positioned above the left-side Panoramic Vision tiles, integrating navigation and driver-assistance info in a “neatly coordinated” way to avoid visual overload.
The steering wheel adopts a “shy-tech” approach: buttons illuminate only when their functions are available or active. Arranged on a relief-like surface with haptic feedback, they allow operation without looking away from the road.
Still, not everything has migrated to the screen or steering wheel. Between the seats, familiar controls remain, including a volume knob, a mute button, a gear selector, a parking brake, hazard lights, and heating/defrost buttons. The driver’s door also retains plenty of conventional switches, proof that BMW hasn’t gone entirely “reduced.”
Practicality and Options
Practicality is good: 520 litres (18.3 cu ft) of standard cargo area, which can be increased to 1,750 litres (61.8 cu ft) by folding the rear seats and an additional 58 litres (2 cu ft) in the front trunk. Tow capacity is 2,000kg (4,410lbs) and it has roof racks. It also has standard features such as two-zone climate control, keyless access, wireless charging, and automatic tailgate. They are adaptive headlights, enhanced Harman/Kardon, three-zone climate control, M Sport package and panoramic roof.
Pricing and Availability of the market.
The X3 will be introduced in Europe at the end of 2025 and a Chinese long-wheelbase version in 2026. The U.S. shipments will start in the summer of 2026, and the 50 xDrive will be available at approximately 60,000. Various less expensive versions will then come along, such as a rear-wheel-drive single motor and an M Performance.
A Thought Beyond Specs
The 2026 BMW iX3 isn’t just about numbers or technology. Walk around it, sit behind the wheel, and you realize BMW is trying to teach a new generation of drivers what “joy” feels like in an electric car. The 43-inch Panoramic Vision display isn’t just a gadget—it’s a reminder that the future can be bold without losing soul. In a world chasing range and speed, the iX3 quietly asks: can an EV still feel like a BMW? With this, the answer is an emphatic yes.
Source: BMW
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