BMW Unveils iX3 Electric SUV, First in Neue Klasse Lineup

BMW has unveiled the iX3, an electric SUV with a range of up to 805 km, ultra-fast charging, and a refreshed design. The car marks the start of BMW's Neue Klasse, a line of EVs backed by a €10.7 billion investment. The iX3 is priced under €70,000 and will be sold in China, where BMW is facing pressure to lower the sticker price in a competitive EV market dominated by BYD, Xiaomi, and Xpeng.

BMW has unveiled the iX3, an electric SUV with a range of up to 805 km, ultra-fast charging capabilities, and a refreshed design. The car marks the start of BMW's Neue Klasse, a line of electric vehicles (EVs) backed by a €10.7 billion investment. The iX3 is priced under €70,000 and will be sold in China, where BMW faces pressure to lower the sticker price in a competitive EV market dominated by BYD, Xiaomi, and Xpeng.

The iX3, part of BMW's Neue Klasse, features a range of 805 km on a single charge, according to the Worldwide Light Vehicle Test Protocol (WLTP). It can be charged from 10% to 80% in 21 minutes using a 400kW 800V Direct Current (DC) charger, and it can charge at both 11kW on an Alternating Current (AC) charger and 3.7kW on a Vehicle to Load (V2L) setup. The car also supports bidirectional charging, allowing it to discharge power to a house or grid.

The iX3's design reflects BMW's new design language, characterized by a sleek, smooth bodywork and a clean interior. The interior features a tilted multimedia screen and a full-width digital band serving as both the instrument cluster and a multi-widget display board. The car's dimensions are 4782mm in length, 1895mm in width, and 1635mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2897mm and 520 liters of luggage capacity.

BMW's investment in the Neue Klasse line of EVs is significant, with a €10.7 billion allocation for the project. The iX3 is the first model to go into series production under this architecture, which is expected to house another 40 new models. The iX3's production will create 42% less carbon emissions per Watt-Hour than its predecessor, thanks to improvements in battery production and the use of renewable energy and recycled materials.

The iX3's price point under €70,000 is competitive in the Chinese market, where BMW is facing intense competition from local players. The iX3 will be built in Debrecen, Hungary, and in Shenyang, China, with a localized version for the Chinese market. BMW's Head of Sustainability Vehicle Projects, Juergen Froeschl, has stated that the iX3 is the cleanest BMW electric vehicle ever made, with reused secondary materials used in stressed components for the first time.

The iX3's unveiling marks a significant milestone for BMW, as it represents the company's commitment to sustainable and innovative vehicle technology. The car's competitive range, fast charging capabilities, and refreshed design position it as a strong contender in the rapidly growing EV market.

References:
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltaylor/2025/09/05/2026-bmw-neue-klasse-ix3-suv-bev-finally-breaks-cover/