BMW begins a new era in its commitment to electric mobility with the iX3

After many years of promises about what was to come, the first model of BMW’s Neue Klasse is now a reality. The Bavarian manufacturer has just officially unveiled the long-awaited iX3, a mid-size SUV loaded with technological innovations that set it up as the model to follow for the rest of the competition in the electric car sector.

The Bavarian manufacturer has stolen a march ahead of the start of the IAA Mobility in Munich, which kicks off next week, to reveal all the secrets of the first model of the Neue Klasse, based on a platform designed exclusively for electric models, with everything that entails in terms of performance and, above all, energy efficiency.

The iX3 incorporates significant technological advances, starting with its powertrain, which is 20 per cent more efficient and is based on the sixth generation of BMW’s electric motors. The efficiency gains don’t stop there, however, as the vehicle’s improved aerodynamic coefficient of 0.24 also contributes.

As for its technical specifications, the top-of-the-range version, the 50 xDrive, will be equipped with two electric motors capable of delivering a combined 345 kW of power and 645 Nm of torque. This will allow it to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.9 seconds, with a top speed limited to 210 km/h.

BMW makes the difference

The battery will, on the other hand, be another of the iX3’s strong points. BMW has opted to use cylindrical cells rather than prismatic ones in the vehicles of the Neue Klasse, as in its previous electric models, thereby achieving a 20 per cent increase in energy density. With a battery pack of 108 kWh of net capacity, the iX3 50 xDrive stands out as one of the models in its segment with the greatest energy storage capacity. This feature, combined with the significant efficiency improvements mentioned above, allows the vehicle’s range to be extended to 805 km under the WLTP homologation cycle. Simply staggering.

The BMW iX3 does not stand out, however, solely for its spectacular range. Its 800V architecture allows it to be one of the electric vehicles that spends the least time stationary at the charging point. With a maximum supported power of 400 kW, the Bavarian manufacturer claims it is possible to increase the charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 21 minutes, surpassing until now the leaders in this area, even in higher segments, such as the Porsche Taycan.

The BMW iX3 will also feature bidirectional charging, compatible with V2H –Vehicle to Home– and V2G –Vehicle to Grid-, allowing not only the power supply of any electronic device, turning the vehicle into a huge power bank, but also its direct connection to the electricity grid to supply cheaper energy to the entire home by taking advantage of the hours of the day with more favourable tariffs.

BMW leaves its past behind

Finally, we cannot conclude without mentioning the advances implemented by BMW’s development team, both inside and outside the vehicle. Seated behind the wheel, the driver of an iX3 will be able to see how BMW has redefined the driving experience with a highly futuristic design. The Panoramic iDrive, a 1.1-metre projection display spanning the lower part of the front windscreen from side to side, represents a new way of presenting the driver and the other passengers with relevant information about the vehicle and everything around it.

On the exterior, the design of the iX3 faithfully follows the line set by the Vision Neue Klasse prototype, characterised by a far more modern front end than that of the manufacturer’s previous electric models, with a pair of much smaller central kidney grilles that are also illuminated, and rather sleek light clusters.

Production of the iX3 will begin in autumn 2025 at BMW’s plant in the Hungarian town of Debrecen. With an initial base price of 68,900 euros in the German market, this new electric SUV of the Neue Klasse will go on sale in the main European markets in March of next year.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverBMW iX32 versions · from 62,900 €