BMW announces longer-wheelbase variants of the i3 and iX3 for the Chinese market

BMW has just announced at the Beijing Auto Show the upcoming launch in that market, exclusively, of the long-wheelbase variants of the iX3 and i3, the first two models from the Bavarian brand belonging to the Neue Klasse. Apart from the greater wheelbase, these variants also feature a number of changes compared with those sold in Europe, with the aim of better matching the preferences of Chinese customers and thus capturing their attention.

As we have already commented on many occasions here at HighMotor, Chinese customers place great importance on the space available to rear-seat passengers. That is why virtually all Western manufacturers offer longer-wheelbase variants in that market. BMW has now followed this trend with two of its two most recent electric models.

The Western version of the iX3 was presented last autumn in Munich, while the i3 was shown in March, previewing its future exterior design. Although there is still no official data, everything suggests that the long-wheelbase variant of the iX3, called iX3 L, increases the wheelbase by 10.8 centimetres, to reach 3.01 metres, and extends the overall length of the vehicle to 4.89 metres. This increase in dimensions is almost entirely devoted to improving comfort in the rear seats.

In addition to more legroom, the rear seats feature thicker padding and greater recline, allowing a more relaxed posture. Other specific improvements include a wireless charging pad in the rear centre armrest, improved ambient lighting and a greater number of physical buttons to make it easier to control functions.

Range is maintained

It is important to note that although BMW has not confirmed any changes to the battery pack, the additional space between the axles could allow for more cells. In any case, everything suggests that both variants use the same sixth-generation round cells and offer the same total capacity of 108 kWh. In this way, the iX3 L will exceed 900 km of range under the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle, while the i3 will exceed 1,000 km of range.

Another important novelty concerns the Panoramic iDrive, a display strip located along the lower part of the windscreen. In China it is adapted to local needs, with a voice assistant developed together with Chinese technology partners such as DeepSeek, instead of the Amazon-based solution used in other markets.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverBMW iX32 versions · from 62,900 €