MUNICH, Germany – BMW unveils the second-generation iX3, the first production model using its new Neue Klasse electric platform, and an SUV that marks one of the most decisive technical and design shifts at the German automaker in decades.
Revealed in the lead-up to next week’s 2025 Munich auto show in Germany and due on sale in North America from mid-2026, the rival to the 5-seat Audi Q6 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ replaces the first-generation iX sold in selected global markets since 2020. It also introduces a new 800V electric architecture that is planned to underpin at least six models confirmed by BMW, including the upcoming i3 – a dedicated electric version of its signature 3-Series sedan also planned for introduction next year.
The original iX was a stopgap of sorts – an electric version of the X3 built in China. It gave BMW an early foothold in a limited number of electric-SUV markets but was compromised by its internal-combustion-engine underpinnings in the form of BMW’s Cluster Architecture platform.
The new model departs radically. Developed from the ground up as an electric model, it will be produced at BMW’s new Debrecen plant in Hungary. It also is the lead model for an entirely new design lineage, a sixth-generation electric drivetrain using motors produced in-house and an electronics architecture that uses four individual computers, or what BMW likes to call “superbrains.”
Dimensions and Design
The new iX3 sits alongside the fourth-generation X3 in the BMW lineup, giving buyers a choice between electric and ICE power in two distinctly differently styled models.
Dimensionally, the iX3 edges away from the X3. It is 1.1 in. (28 mm) longer than its ICE sibling, yet 1.0 in. (25 mm) narrower and 1.0 in. lower. The wheelbase is up by 1.3 in. (33 mm) over the X3 at 114.1 ins. (2,898 mm). The drag coefficient is a low (by SUV standards) 0.24.
The front end introduces a reinterpretation of BMW’s traditional styling with a thin, vertically arranged and illuminated kidney grille reminiscent of that seen in the 1960s and 1970s. It is bookmarked by a new black panel fascia incorporating headlamps and other illuminated elements.
Farther back is a hood featuring a defined central scallop and raised outer edges. The side profile is defined by prominent wheel arches and smooth surfacing without any defined shoulder line. The rear features a heavily hooded tailgate and broad taillamps.
Interior Design, Superbrains
Inside, the rethink is even more pronounced. The cabin has been pared back to horizontal beams and floating surfaces intended to emphasize space while drawing attention to the digital interfaces. A new Panoramic iDrive system, which will be standard on all Neue Klasse models, projects key information across the base of the windshield, supplemented by an optional 3D head-up display. A 17.9-in. (46-cm) central, rhombus-shaped touchscreen handles most functions, supported by a new hexagonal-shaped steering wheel with illuminated haptic buttons.
Backlit fabric surfaces and newly developed seats give the cabin a lounge-like feel, while packaging benefits from the space-saving attributes of the Neue Klasse platform and electric drivetrain – rear legroom is notably increased over the X3, and trunk space ranges from 18.4 to 61.8 cu.-ft. (521 to 1,750 L), supplemented by a 2.0 cu.-ft. (57 L) frunk.
BMW says the new iX3 is its first true “software-defined vehicle.” Its four “superbrains” divide tasks across driving dynamics, infotainment, automated driving and body functions, replacing dozens of separate control units. This allows faster processing, reduced wiring and more scope for future over-the-air updates.
BMW Panoramic iDrive and Operating System X bring an expanded suite of functions, from gaming via AirConsole to video streaming through YouTube and Disney+. Large language model integration with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is promised, initially for natural navigation commands in the U.S. before wider roll-out.
Propulsion System Specs
The launch model, the all-wheel-drive iX3 50 xDrive, uses a dual-motor layout: a synchronous unit on the rear axle and a new asynchronous motor up front. Together they deliver 463 hp and 476 lb.-ft. (645 Nm) of torque, good for 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds and a 130 mph (209 km/h) top speed. A single-motor, rear-drive version will follow as the entry point, BMW says.
The new cylindrical-cell battery pack has a usable capacity of 108.7 kWh. With cell-to-pack integration and the battery acting as a structural element, weight and costs are claimed to be reduced over the prismatic cells used previously, while energy density rises by 20%. The official WLTP range is between 421 and 500 miles (678 and 805 km).
Charging performance is another step forward. The iX3 supports 800V charging at up to 400kW. A 231-mile (372-km) top-up is claimed to take 10 minutes under optimal conditions. A 10%– 80% charge takes 21 minutes. Bi-directional charging capability will be available from the start of U.S. sales, allowing the new BMW model to supply power to external devices, a home or the grid.
Handling, ADAS and Sustainability
A so-called “Heart of Joy” computer integrates drivetrain, braking, energy recuperation and steering inputs 10 times faster than previously, as BMW says is strove to give the car its typical handling prowess, as BMW says it strove to give the car its typical handling prowess. Up to 98% of daily braking can be handled by energy recuperation alone, BMW claims, while a new “soft stop” function is designed to make low-speed braking smoother and more progressive.
Driver assistance technology also moves on. A new Highway and City Assistant allows extended hands-off driving in certain conditions, supported by improved sensors and 20 times greater processing power. Traffic light recognition and symbiotic braking – where the car blends regenerative and mechanical braking imperceptibly – also make their debut.
BMW says the iX3’s lifecycle CO₂ footprint is 34% lower than its predecessor’s over 124,000 miles (199,640). About a third of the car is made from secondary raw materials, including recycled plastics in under-hood panels and PET fibers in upholstery. Production in Hungary is said to operate without fossil fuels.
The new iX3 is more than just a successor to today’s iX as BMW says it is the automaker’s electric-vehicle template for the next decade, with 40 models set to adopt elements of its design and technology by 2027.
