The automotive world is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the BMW iX3, hailed by the Bavarian automaker as the "first Neue Klasse model to go into series production." This launch marks a pivotal moment for BMW, representing its biggest investment in history and a profound reinvention akin to the original Neue Klasse cars of the 1960s, which famously pulled the company back from the brink of financial collapse. The new Neue Klasse architecture is poised to influence a vast array of BMW's future offerings, with aspects of this vision being adopted by 40 vehicles, including SUVs, sedans, and coupes, by the end of 2027. The iX3, a luxury compact five-passenger electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), made its global debut at the 2025 IAA Mobility auto show in Munich, strategically targeting the largest market segment to ensure significant volume.

Underpinning the iX3 is BMW's innovative Gen 6 platform and the new Neue Klasse architecture, which will initially be exclusive to electric vehicles. The launch specification, the iX3 50 xDrive, boasts an impressive powertrain featuring twin motors – an asynchronous induction unit at the front and a synchronous motor at the rear – delivering power to all four wheels via BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology. This setup produces a combined output of 470 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, enabling the iX3 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a swift 4.9 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 130 mph. BMW's sixth-generation eDrive technology is not only powerful but also remarkably efficient, cutting energy losses by 40 percent, reducing weight by 10 percent, and lowering manufacturing costs by 20 percent compared to its predecessor.

The iX3 is equipped with a substantial 108-kWh usable battery, utilizing advanced cylindrical cells and 800-volt technology. This formidable battery pack contributes to an estimated EPA range of 400 miles, with a WLTP range stated at an impressive 500 miles. Charging capabilities are equally remarkable, supporting up to 400 kW charging rates. This allows for an additional 217 miles of range to be added in just 10 minutes, and a 10 to 80 percent top-up in a mere 21 minutes – a charging speed increase of 30 percent over fifth-gen eDrive cars. The iX3 is fitted with a NACS port, making it compatible with both 400-volt and 800-volt chargers, including the extensive Tesla Supercharger network. Further enhancing convenience, the vehicle features an intelligent charging flap that uses artificial intelligence to detect user intent, alongside bidirectional charging capabilities, allowing the car to power a home or devices, and even feed energy back to the grid in Europe.

A cornerstone of the Neue Klasse vision is its revolutionary "superbrain" technology and its identity as BMW’s first software-defined vehicle. This new electronics architecture, dubbed a "digital nervous system," deploys four super high-tech computers that collaboratively manage almost every function. The "Heart of Joy" brain controls critical driving dynamics such as the drivetrain, brakes, energy recuperation, and steering, making decisions up to 10 times faster than conventional units. This system enables 98 percent of braking maneuvers to be performed with regeneration alone and introduces a "Soft Stop" function for the smoothest stopping process ever achieved by a BMW. A separate superbrain for advanced driver assistance functions operates 20 times faster, ensuring seamless transitions and efficient automated parking. The iX3's software-defined nature allows for over-the-air updates, enabling problem fixes and the addition of new features and functions throughout its lifespan. BMW Operating System X supports a wide array of apps, from music and video games to streaming and even Zoom meetings. The vehicle also introduces an Expressive Personal Assistant, an amiable alien-like avatar with expressive eyes and eyebrows, powered by Alexa technology, designed to provide directions, answer questions, and perform functions with quick responses and charming animations.

Visually, the iX3 introduces a completely new design language for BMW, characterized by a 'reduced' and 'contemporary' aesthetic. BMW refers to it as a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) rather than an SUV, and its appearance is notably more aggressive than anticipated. The design philosophy emphasizes a clean yet robust exterior with precise lines, flush door handles, strong shoulders, and a solid stance. A significant nod to the 1960s Neue Klasse models is the vertical kidney grille, which, in the iX3, can be illuminated with the ‘BMW Iconic Glow’ option, offering animated welcome and farewell greetings. The aerodynamic rear features new taillights that accentuate the vehicle's width, while large windows and a glass roof contribute to an airy cabin feel. With a drag coefficient of 0.24, the iX3 is designed for optimal aerodynamic efficiency.

Inside, the iX3 offers a forward-thinking, leather-free interior as standard, with sustainable materials extensively used, including 3D knit dash components made from recycled plastics and old fishing nets, and sustainable seat upholstery. The M Sport package provides options for leather trim and microsuedes. The highlight of the cabin is the BMW Panoramic iDrive system, featuring a 43.3-inch Panoramic Vision display that stretches across the lower portion of the windscreen. This display shows driving information to the driver and features six customizable widgets, designed with a "hands on the wheel, eyes on the road" principle. An optional 3D head-up display further enhances information delivery, complemented by a unique angular central infotainment screen that points towards the driver. The new multifunction steering wheel incorporates haptic controls, replacing the traditional iDrive controller. Practicality is addressed with increased rear legroom, a 520-liter boot, and a 58-liter frunk (or 2 cubic feet) for additional storage, ideal for charging cables. My Modes allows for personalized cabin ambiance, and while many functions are digital, essential physical buttons remain for user convenience.

BMW's commitment to sustainability extends beyond interior materials; almost one-third of the new iX3 is made from secondary raw materials. The iX3 50 xDrive boasts a carbon footprint 34 percent smaller than its predecessor over a full lifecycle, and the Debrecen plant in Hungary, where it will be built, operates without any fossil fuels during normal production. Production of the iX3 is set to begin in the fall at the Debrecen plant, with volume ramping up in 2026. UK deliveries of the iX3 50 xDrive are scheduled for March 7, 2026, with prices starting at £58,755, offering three trim levels: iX3, iX3 M Sport, and iX3 M Sport Pro. The European launch is also in March 2026, starting at €68,900. For the North American market, the iX3 is expected in the summer of 2026, with an estimated starting price of $60,000. Further variants, including an entry-level model for Europe, are planned for the future, and BMW aims to produce Neue Klasse models in Spartanburg and Mexico by 2027. As BMW Chairman Oliver Zipse stated, “The Neue Klasse is our biggest future-focused project and marks a huge leap forward in terms of technologies, driving experience and design. Practically everything about it is new, yet it is also more BMW than ever.”