BMW iX3 launches Neue Klasse with 500-mile range
BMW's biggest moment in decades begins with a new SUV. But a 469hp example, at least...
BMW’s biggest moment of the modern age? You betcha. This is the launch of Neue Klasse two point zero, and the carving out of the Bavarian brand’s template for some time to come. Fittingly, the big reveal is at the IAA in Munich…
If you didn’t like the concept, you won’t like this. The new iX3 sticks about as closely to the Vision Neue Klasse X as is feasible, with only its production spec lights, mirrors and door handles to set the two apart. But to these eyes it’s a fairly handsome slice of design, the surfaces kept clean and its narrow, upright kidney ‘grilles’ a sweet nod back to the past.
That past being the original Neue Klasse, which turned around BMW’s fortunes back in the 1960s and educated just about every propeller-badged saloon launched since. Expect similar influence here – not least in the 40 model updates or replacements due in the next two years. Yikes.
The iX3 joins a very crowded segment, but does so with more than its monolithic design language. Beneath the skin is a new, bespoke electric platform with sixth-gen eDrive technology which improves efficiency from manufacture to operation, helping contribute to a third-smaller lifetime carbon footprint than the old iX3.
This 50 xDrive kicks things off, with dual motors for AWD and 469hp and 475lb ft peaks, enough for 0-62mph in 4.9sec and a 130mph top speed. More pertinently, 108kWh of useable battery sits beneath the bodywork for a claimed WLTP range of 500 miles. Yes, really. Its 800v architecture allows up to 400kW of DC charging to ensure ‘big battery’ doesn’t translate into ‘gruelling stops’. The claim, if you can hook up to facilities fast enough, is a 231-mile top-up in ten minutes.
While 20-inch alloy wheels come as standard, the optional 22s with ‘Air Performance’ trim (pictured here) eke out another 15 miles of range. BMW customers are a demanding lot, though, and the designers were told to keep the brake calipers a star attraction beneath. This despite the fact the new iX3 can perform up to 98 per cent of its everyday braking on regen alone – with software coded to provide the firm’s smoothest stop ever. Consider us intrigued…
The suspension gains hydraulic bump stops but no air spring or adaptive damping options, nor is there four-wheel steer, which is kept for the larger X-models to follow. The iX3 ought to be agile to drive, though, its stocky 2,360kg weight split 49/51 front rear and with lots of talk about how four supercomputers beneath the skin help the car satisfy like a BMW should. Early prototype drives elsewhere suggest the spiel isn’t wrong, but we’ll deliver a proper PH verdict in due course.
What’s exciting in the meantime is talk of ‘symbiotic’ driver assist systems. The mandatory stuff is all fitted, but it apparently knows when the driver is actively engaged and interrupts with a much lighter touch (or leaves them to it entirely). Scrubbing a white line on an empty, open-sighted corner won’t send the beeps and bongs into disarray, we’re promised. The systems are also easily turned off.
Ergonomics look good, in fact, even if most of the buttons have inevitably been hoovered up. The crucial ones remain – four electric window switches, proper mirror adjustment, lights and wipers on the correct stalks – and BMW talks a good game about a traditional volume knob being vital in respecting a decent audio system. Sure, the air-con is held captive in the screen, but it has been in Beemers for ages. And this fresh 18-inch central touchscreen is newly hexagonal and angled towards the driver to keep key functions a shorter, safer stretch away from the steering wheel. It's all complemented by a 43-inch wraparound ‘Panoramic Vision’ projection, which replaces a traditional instrument cluster and is endlessly configurable. And don’t worry, more conventionally shaped ‘wheels will be available…
The new iX3 is 4.8m long with a 2.9m wheelbase, its bespoke platform pushing the wheels to each corner to offer X5 levels of rear legroom. Around a third of the car is constructed from reused materials, with the hidden position of its new 58-litre frunk allowing it to use 100 per cent ‘second life’ matter.
Production begins later in 2025 at the new Debrecen plant in Hungary, whose default running is via renewable energy, with UK deliveries starting in March 2026. Pricing for the iX3 50 xDrive starts at £58,755, undercutting its predecessor while boasting much more power and range. Expect a cheaper, single-motor RWD version in due course for around fifty grand. And perhaps more importantly for PHers, there ought to be an i3 saloon – likely aping BMW’s other Vision Neue Klasse pretty closely – by then too…
That said, amazing range, I bet it drives and rides well and is very refined.
Looked a bit more and realised I quite like it, for that type of car which is at a disadvantage compared to a saloon, coupe or sportscar. It is at least fairly cohesive and bodes well for the subsequent Neue Klasse efforts, that E30 alike they have been teasing in particular.
It's a real shame about that interior, I've no problem with the big screen but I was really hoping we were starting to trend back towards physical buttons for regularly used features like climate controls. Also, it looks like haptic touch buttons on the steering wheel as well and those need to die in a fire.
ker tank just dropped. 
Also, given the ever expanding innovations and added computers, will any of these cars be considered a 'classic' in 25 years time when all this technology is as obsolete as an Iphone 1?
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