BMW promises a giant leap forward with its new iX3, writes James Stinson
The need to transition to electric car making has upended the old order. Having once led the way in engineering excellence, Germany and Japan are under threat from new disruptors in America (mainly Tesla) and China (BYD and others). Formerly untouchable, the likes of BMW, VW, Toyota and Nissan have looked slow to innovate compared to Tesla while Chinese brands have harnessed the massive economies of scale available to them in their own market. Still, BMW and others haven’t given up just yet. While the newbies gather a lot of headlines, what we might call traditional car makers still account for the lion’s share of total sales… if not for EVs. But if BMW is to thrive in a future where electric cars dominate then it needs to show it can innovate with the best of them. And that’s where this new iX3 comes in. BMW says it marks a new generation of electric cars, with an eye-catching official range of 500 miles – the longest- travelling electric car on sale in the UK.
So keen is BMW to emphasise the groundbreaking credentials of the new iX3 that the project has even been given a special “Neue Klasse” name, a nod to landmark BMWs of the 1960s that set the base for decades of success that followed. Technologies seen in this Neue Klasse will be incorporated into a total of 40 new models and model updates between now and 2027. For this iX3, the chassis, electric drivetrain, driver-assistance systems, cockpit experience, electronic architecture and software it introduces are all new – and all clothed in a fresh design. The chief technological innovations are under the skin and are anchored around BMW’s sixth-generation electric drive system. The Neue Klasse introduces a new 800-volt electrical architecture, with 600 metres less wiring and Europe’s fastest DC public charging at 400kW. The battery uses new cylindrical cells that slot straight into the pack, which acts as the iX3’s floor structure, saving weight.
The cells charge 30 per cent quicker and boast 20 per cent higher energy density than BMW’s current tech. BMW plans to offer two battery sizes but has only announced the biggest, with a massive 108.7kWh of usable capacity. Two new electric motor designs cut size, weight and energy consumption, while regenerative braking takes care of 98 per cent of decelerations, recouping energy. Put together, these help the iX3 eke out up to 4.1 miles per kWH and that 500-mile range. The launch spec iX3 50 xDrive boasts some 463bhp and 476lb ft of torque sent to all four wheels by twin motors. Acceleration is rapid, 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 130mph. 400kW charging means an additional 231 miles can be added in just 10 minutes.
That’s a 30 per cent increase on charging speed vs previous electric BMWs. BMW also says that the sixth-gen cuts energy losses by 40 per cent, weight by 10 per cent and manufacturing costs by 20 per cent. The cabin also marks a step change for BMW, with the introduction of its Panoramic iDrive system. This is a high-set digital display that runs the full width of the dashboard, bringing key information such as your speed and electric range right into the line of sight, with the rest fully configurable to driver and passenger preference.
It’s supplemented by an optional head-up display with animations that count down the distance to a turn, and a large asymmetric touchscreen as well as a few physical switches. Deep glass, light colours and upholstered dashboards are designed to make the cabin feel welcoming rather than overloaded with tech. The boot capacity is 520 litres, expanding to 1,750 litres with the rear seats folded. At launch, there are three trim levels to choose from – iX3, iX3 M Sport and iX3 M Sport Pro with prices starting from £58,755. First deliveries will be in March 2026.