For years, BMW has been teasing its forthcoming next-generation “Neue Klasse” electric vehicle platform, complete with better batteries, better range, and an all-new “superbrain” with enhanced computing power. Today, the German automaker finally revealed the first Neue Klasse vehicle: the iX3. And at first glance, it has a lot to take in.
The iX3, which made its debut today at the Munich auto show, represents the 109-year-old company’s attempt at reinventing itself as a future-focused automaker that understands the growing importance of software in the automotive world. It’s also the tip of the spear in BMW’s effort to challenge the growing influence of China, which has become the world’s number one exporter of high-tech electric vehicles. And the iX3 will soon be joined by 40 more Neue Klasse models over the next two years as BMW radically changes the way it designs, builds, and sells what it calls “the ultimate driving machine.”
Of course, all that will be for naught if the iX3 isn’t a compelling EV with killer specs that’s fun to drive. And from the first look, it seems like BMW may have hit it out of the park.
The iX3 will be BMW’s first EV built on an 800-volt architecture, which the automaker says will enable lightning-fast charging speeds of up to 400kW, adding as much as 230 miles of range in just 10 minutes. (Most DC fast chargers in the US offer speeds in the range of 150–350kW.) The iX3 is also the first EV to receive BMW’s in-house-developed Gen6 cylindrical battery cells, which offer 30 percent more range, up to 30 percent faster charging speeds, and 20 percent more energy density, and they are 50 percent cheaper to build.
BMW wasn’t ready to disclose the exact energy content of the iX3’s new battery pack, but did say it will power the sports activity vehicle (SAV) for over 400 miles of EPA-estimated range. That’s less than the 600 miles of range the automaker was predicting in 2022, but still would place the iX3 among the top tier of current EVs in terms of range.
The first variant to roll off the assembly line at BMW’s newly constructed factory in Hungary will be the iX3 50 xDrive, with an all-wheel drive motor setup capable of spitting out 463 horsepower and 476lb-ft of torque. That version will hit US dealerships by mid-2026, starting at $60,000, with rear-wheel drive models to follow soon after.
The iX3 will be the first model from BMW to feature the automaker’s oddly named “Heart of Joy” computer, which is one of the Neue Klasse’s touted four “superbrains.” This unassuming black box aggregates all the traction, stability, and electric motor management functions that are typically handled by a dozen different processors sourced from a dozen different suppliers and scattered throughout the car. In unifying those functions, the iX3 is sure to be a blast to drive, as experienced by Verge contributor Tim Stevens earlier this year.
The collection of displays — the instrument cluster, heads-up display, and central display — combines to form the Panoramic iDrive, which runs on the automaker’s Android-based Operating System X. BMW says it is elevating the experience with the iX3 to ensure that drivers keep their eyes on the road and avoid distractions. As such, the automaker has included physical knobs and buttons for the most important controls, including HVAC, audio volume, mirror control, and warning lights.
The ‘Heart of Joy’ computer helps optimize drive quality.
(BMW doesn’t mention its suppliers in its press release, but the automaker also announced today a new automated driving pilot for Level 2 Plus driving, which it has developed with Qualcomm.)
The iX3 is BMW’s first foray into the buzzy world of software-defined vehicles. So there’s a lot of digital features that the automaker says will improve over time through over-the-air updates. At launch, BMW claims it has achieved “superior intelligence” in the form of interior lights that come on automatically if the vehicle’s sensors detect that the driver is searching for something, or a charging port flap that opens automatically when it detects an approaching plug. Other examples include app notifications if the vehicle detects something moving inside while its locked.
Digital keys on smartphones or smartwatches will be the “preferred” way to unlock and start the iX3, BMW says, while noting that it supports all the major manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, and Google. And the vehicle supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The first thing you notice about the iX3 is the slimmer, more vertically aligned kidney grille, which sets it apart from some of its EV predecessors. Some could argue that BMW’s signature design feature has gotten a little out of control in the EV era, spreading lewdly across the iX’s front end, for example. So it may come as a bit of a shock that the automaker would tone down its aggressiveness for its new flagship battery-powered vehicle. In place of a wider grille, we get a new horizontal lightning design that presents as more sophisticated.
In terms of size, the iX3 is about the same length as an i4, while also a little taller (64.4 inches) and a little wider (74.6 inches). And at 188.3 inches, it’s not as long as an iX, but is longer than most versions of the gas-powered X3.
BMW is racing to keep up with Tesla and a new generation of Chinese manufacturers, like Xiaomi and Xpeng, that intuitively understand software and have for years been building vehicles with delightful digital experiences. And the German automaker has been making a lot of progress, with its EVs and plug-in hybrids seeing double-digit sales growth year over year.
As governments around the world phase out their EV incentives, BMW will face a new challenge around affordability. The luxury and premium EV space is packed to the gills, with legacy players like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi competing against newcomers like Tesla, Lucid, and Rivian. The iX3 isn’t going to upset the balance too much, but it is an important piece in BMW’s mission to convince buyers that when it comes to EVs with the perfect balance of range, power, and software, it’s the ultimate choice.
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[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
