There are big changes in the works at BMW — and we’ve finally gotten a good look at what’s coming with the debut of the 2026 iX3. It’s the first of what’s promised to be a wide range of “Neue Klasse” models.
The iX3 is an all-electric SUV — or what BMW calls a “Sport Activity Vehicle” — that promises to deliver up to 400 miles of range and rapid charging. Four “superbrains” in the vehicle will offer what BMW calls “symbiotic driver support.”
While many of its competitors have pared back their electrification plans, BMW continues charging forward. And the new iX3 provides a good sense of what’s coming. Dubbing it the “dawn of a new era,” the compact Sport Activity Vehicle is the first in a new generation of battery-electric vehicles collectively known as the Neue Klasse, or “new class.”
“The Neue Klasse is our biggest future-focused project and marks a huge leap forward in terms of technologies, driving experience, and design,” said the automaker’s Chairman Oliver Zipse. He goes on to say, “Practically everything about it is new, yet it is also more BMW than ever.”
New Era of BMW
The iX3 is an all-electric take on the familiar X3, but that doesn’t mean BMW has just stuffed an electric drivetrain in the compact SUV. It has an entirely new platform and adopts a new design language which will proliferate across the Bavarian automaker’s entire product range, according to Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design.
The battery-electric crossover is the first to use BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, which the automaker claims will yield as much as 400 miles of range — using the strict EPA test cycle. Its new battery design and 800V electrical architecture will, meanwhile, allow motorists to add more than 200 miles of range in just 10 minutes on a fast charger.
It also introduces the “Heart of Joy,” a new computing system based around what the automaker describes as four “superbrains.” This centralized system replaces the myriad collection of decentralized microprocessors that most automakers, including BMW, rely on. Operating everything from drivetrain to infotainment and climate control, the system is reportedly at least 10 times faster than the computing technology found in today’s BMW products.
A Staggered Rollout
The iX3 50 xDrive will be the first member of the Neue Klasse family to go into production. It will feature a twin-motor drivetrain, one on each axle. The system produces a peak of 463 horsepower. Additional iX3 variants, including a single-motor rear-wheel-drive package, will follow.
The new Gen6 eDrive technology will then migrate to other model lines, ultimately covering the BMW lineup top to bottom.
Production will start at BMW’s plant in Debrecen, Hungary, during the first quarter of 2026. U.S. versions are set to roll into showrooms by the summer of 2026. The starting price will be around $60,000.
The automaker has yet to announce a timetable for U.S. production, but that’s expected to follow later in the decade and use batteries sourced from a new facility near the BMW assembly complex in Spartanburg, S.C.
Gen-6 BMW eDrive
The latest version of the BMW eDrive system uses a newly updated electrically excited synchronous motor at the rear axle and a new asynchronous motor up front. It relies on new cylindrical batteries and an 800V electrical architecture.
The iX3 50 xDrive has two electric motors delivering a peak combined output of 463 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque. The factory estimates 0-60 mph launches of 4.7 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. The towing capacity is 4,400 pounds.
BMW claims the new motor drive system reduces energy losses by 40% compared to its Gen-5 system, while weight is down 10%. It also says manufacturing costs have been reduced by 20%.
There are some other numbers that drivers should appreciate, with BMW designing the system to draw as much as 400 kW from the latest generation of DC quick chargers. And the active word really is “quick.” That allows a user to add “up to 230 miles of range in just 10 minutes at an 800V DC charging station. The high-voltage battery can be charged from 10 to 80% capacity in just 21 minutes.”
The system can access up to 19.2 kW when using a home Level 2 240V charger. It is also capable of bidirectional charging, meaning power from the battery can be tapped while on the road or used to keep a home or office powered up in the event of a blackout.
EV Only
A number of manufacturers — including rivals like Stellantis — have opted to go with “multi-energy” platforms that can be fitted with gas, hybrid, all-electric, and even fuel-cell powertrain technologies. With Neue Klasse, BMW has gone with an EV-only architecture. That approach uses a skateboard-like platform where some of the space normally devoted to driveline components can be repurposed for passengers and cargo.
The iX3 measures 188.3 inches in total length, about an inch longer than today’s gas-powered X3. It measures 74.6 inches in width and stands 64.4 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 114.1 inches.
Neue Klasse = New Design Language
The overall look of the Neue Klasse is a bit more squared off than we’ve seen with recent BMW products and opts for what BMW refers to as a “reduced surface treatment” emphasizing its overall dimensions — with all four wheels pushed out close to the corners.
The front end stands upright, with large air intakes and a lower black band intended to give iX3 a sporty and commanding presence. There’s a new, horizontal layout to the crossover’s lighting, though a revised take on the classic double-kidney design could prove controversial. Aerodynamics played a critical part in the design, of course. BMW says the overall package contributes to a 30% rise in efficiency compared to existing EVs.
If anything, van Hooydonk suggested the overall look is “evocative” of classic BMWs from the 1960s and 1970s, such as the 1600 and 2002. “The design of the Neue Klasse provides a very modern interpretation of what BMW has always stood for,” said the design chief. “With our new design language, the new BMW iX3 looks future-focused, modern, and timeless — but, above all, more BMW than ever.”
iX3 Interior
Despite its compact footprint, the layout of the iX3 provides plenty of space for all five passengers, as well as cargo — with 30.4 cubic feet more than doubling to 65 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. There’s also a 2-cubic-foot frunk.
If anything, the cabin has an almost Scandinavian sense of simplicity — “an uncluttered, reduced design” is how BMW describes it. The floating instrument panel flows into the large door trim panels. And there’s plenty of natural light thanks to a large greenhouse — with an optional panoramic moonroof.
Even iX3’s seating has been given a makeover, with extra padding and the absence of nearly all plastic trim. A variety of different upholstery fabrics, including Veganza and Merino Leather, will be available.
Panoramic iDrive
The new BMW Panoramic iDrive is described as the most significant makeover of the familiar operating system since it was first introduced nearly 3 decades ago. It’s made up of a 17.9-inch central display, new steering wheel controls and an optional 3D Head-Up Display.
There’s good news for those frustrated by how many manufacturers have all but eliminated conventional controls. There are physical knobs and switches for key functions. This includes sideview mirrors, volume, and key climate control operations, among other things.
The Panoramic Vision system projects key driver information on the lower left portion of the windshield, making sure it’s always in a driver’s line of sight. The optional HUD system provides still more information, including VR navigation guidance.
The iX3 also has a new Amazon Alexa-style personal assistant that can understand natural speech and offer suggestions on everything from the best route to the latest sporting events.
BMW Vehicle Customization
As is the norm for BMW, the iX3 will be offered with a range of color and fabric choices and an extensive list of options and packages.
There’ll be plenty of high-tech features, including standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And those superbrains will be linked to a smartphone-style over-the-air update system which will allow BMW to update onboard software and even add new features over time to keep the iX3 fresh.
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