BMW iX3: starting signal for the Neue Klasse
BMW iX3
Never before have we seen a new BMW so many times before it was officially unveiled. The iX3 surfaced on the Internet, drove around Germany and we even encountered it in Shanghai at the auto show – but each time still under a thick layer of camouflage. Now the teaser period is over and BMW is finally pulling the curtain off the new iX3.
Range and charging
And where we normally discuss looks first, we now start with the numbers. For these immediately show that BMW has taken a big step. The iX3 features a battery pack with a usable capacity of 108.7 kWh, good for a range of up to 805 kilometers (WLTP). So charging stress is not an issue. Is it almost empty? Then, thanks to 800V technology, you recharge to 372 kilometers of range in ten minutes. From 10 to 80 percent takes just 21 minutes, thanks to 400 kW of charging power. Those are figures you can come home with.
New face
Then the design – always a hot topic at BMW these days. With the iX3, the brand goes back to the essence. No gigantic grille, but a compact one. Exactly in line with the Neue Klasse design language, which will be widely implemented at BMW in the coming years. The grille refers to the Neue Klasse models of the 1960s, but in a modern, vertical version.
Dimensions BMW iX3
With a length of 4.78 meters, width of 1.90 meters and height of 1.63 meters, the iX3 has the familiar proportions of a BMW X model. Practicality is the iX3, too. The boot offers 520 liters and can be expanded to 1,750 liters. Under the hood, there is also a 58-liter frunk. And those who want to bring a caravan or trailer: the iX3 can tow up to 2,000 kilograms.
Interior
Inside, a minimalist approach has been adopted. The dashboard looks uncluttered and sleek, with a “floating” instrument panel and a large infotainment screen. Fabric surfaces, ambient lighting and an optional panoramic roof give the interior a modern but homely feel. Provided your home is decorated by Jan des Bouvrie.
Digital cockpit
Of course, there are also modern gadgets in the interior. The highlight is the so-called Panoramic iDrive. This projects information across the full width of the windshield, so the driver hardly needs to avert his gaze from the road, according to BMW. The large central display works – fortunately – together with physical buttons for the most important functions.
Performance
Back to technology for a moment. The first version is the iX3 50 xDrive. Two electric motors together deliver 345 kW (469 hp) and 645 Nm. Good for a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. Nice and smooth, in other words. Later variants with more and less power will undoubtedly follow.
When will the new BMW iX3 hit the market?
Production of the iX3 will start in late 2025 at the brand new plant in Debrecen, Hungary. The European market will get the car in the spring of 2026; the U.S. will have its turn in the summer. For the Chinese market, a separate variant will come out of the Shenyang plant.
Also read: Shanghai 2025 auto show: ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS – AutoRAI TV