BMW will reveal its all-new electric iX3 SUV this September at the Munich motor show, marking the start of a major new chapter for the company. The iX3 will be the first model based on BMW's Neue Klasse platform - a next-generation electric vehicle architecture that will shape the brand's future.
The new iX3, which we've already driven in prototype form, will go on sale in early 2026 and introduces a completely new design and advanced technology that will influence BMW's entire line-up in the years to come.
It will launch alongside a key rival - the upcoming electric Mercedes-Benz GLC - with both models aiming to capture buyers in Europe’s most competitive vehicle segment. The pressure is on to boost EV sales as emissions rules become increasingly strict.
A new electric BMW 3 Series saloon will follow shortly after, although BMW hasn’t confirmed a reveal date yet.
What to expect from the new iX3
The second-generation iX3 was previewed by last year’s bold Neue Klasse Vision X concept. It will be sold alongside the current petrol-powered X3, but the two are completely different under the skin. The new iX3 is built on the Neue Klasse EV platform, offering slimmer batteries, more efficient electric motors, and what BMW calls a “quantum leap” in performance and technology.
BMW says the iX3 will be capable of up to 497 miles on a single charge - that's 210 miles more than the outgoing model and enough to make it the UK's longest-range electric vehicle. For comparison, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ tops out at 484 miles.
Thanks to its 800V charging system, the iX3 will support ultra-fast charging up to 400kW - allowing you to add 218 miles of range in just 10 minutes using a suitable charger.
Buyers will have a choice of two versions when the iX3 lands in the UK:
- A single-motor, rear wheel-drive variant
- A dual-motor, four-wheel-drive model with up to 402bhp
Technology and design highlights
A new computing system powers the iX3, delivering processing speeds ten times faster than what's currently found in BMW's latest models.
Interior space and aerodynamics are also being prioritised. One clever innovation involves mounting the front seats directly to the battery pack to lower the floor and reduce the vehicle's overall height - a first for BMW.
Visually, the iX3 takes inspiration from classic Neue Klasse models of the 1960s. Gone are the oversized grilles of recent BMWs - instead, expect a return to smaller kidney grilles, set within a large gloss black panel that houses the vehicle's sensors and cameras, similar to Vauxhall's Vizor front design.
The rest of the car has a sharper, more angular look, with distinctive lighting front and rear, and a light bar across the back. Inside, the iX3 is the first BMW to feature the brand-new iDrive X system.
The next-gen infotainment setup includes:
- A wide head-up display that stretches across the dashboard
- A large, angled central touchscreen
- Customisable widgets and interactive toolbars
- Voice control that's more responsive and intuitive
- No traditional buttons - everything is digital or touch-screen
The steering wheel is also new, moving from three spokes to four. However, it retains physical haptic controls for essential functions like cruise control.
BMW's VP of user interface design, Christian Bauer, summed up the approach earlier this year: “Our slogan is ‘eyes on the road and hands on the wheel’. That means every detail has to work in perfect harmony.”
