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iX3 is BMW’s first Neue Klasse model

Brimming with technology and an all-new look, the BMW iX3 will land in Aus next year

8 Sep 2025

BMW’s first production Neue Klasse (new class) model made its public debut in Munich this week, the iX3 debuting an all-new dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform with the latest in battery technology, high-performance on-board computing, efficient electric motors, and a “characterful” design language that will pave the way for new BMW models to come. 
 
Production of the 2026 BMW iX3 will begin in Hungary later this year, with the first examples expected in Australian showrooms mid next year. 
 
While BMW Australia has yet to confirm full iX3 line-up details or pricing for the local market, it is expected the model will retail from around $90,000 – taking the fight to the likes of the Audi Q6 E-Tron, the Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology that also debuted in Munich, and a raft of other entrants from China, Europe, Japan, and the United States. 
 
The 'neue’ ix3 will replace the current Chinese-built iX3 and is longer (+48mm to 4782mm), wider (+4mm to 1895mm), lower (-33mm to 1668mm), and with a longer wheelbase (+33mm to 2897mm) than the model it replaces. 
 
It’s also far more slippery at just 0.24Cd, a 0.05Cd improvement. 
 
Shown in flagship 50 xDrive trim in the lead-up to this week’s IAA Mobility show in Munich, the iX3 boasts the latest, sixth-generation eDrive technology to deliver what BMW says is a more powerful, more efficient, and faster charging BEV experience. 
 
The model offers a 108kWh (usable) battery pack – 28kWh more capacity than before – that forms part of the vehicle’s structure and offers a driving range of up to 805km (WLTP, or 345km further than was possible in the outgoing model). 
 
Its 800-volt electrical architecture (previously 400-volt) allows DC fast charging at up to 400kW, meaning a 10-80 per cent charge is possible in as little as 21 minutes. 
 
AC home charging is available at up to 11kW, while vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities are included as standard at a rate of up to 3.7kW. 
 
The iX3 50 xDrive that debuted in Munich has a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup to deliver 345kW and 645Nm of overall system output. 
 
BMW quotes a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.9 seconds, and says the drive system is lighter, more affordable to produce, and more efficient than the one it replaces. 
 
It is understood that two-wheel drive models with lower outputs – and potential greater driving range abilities – will be offered in due course. 
 
The new iX3 is also reported to be more sustainable than ever before, with 30 per cent of the car made from secondary materials and produced at a facility that is powered from renewable sources. 
 
If those points alone fail to get BEV buyers excited, the high-performance computing on-board the iX3 50 xDrive is certain to raise an eyebrow. 
 
BMW has equipped the Neue Klasse architecture with four ‘superbrains’ it says can process data 10 times faster than conventional on-board computers. Not only is the system smarter than before, it also requires a claimed 600 metres less wiring, reducing weight, complexity, and cost. 
 
The technology is updatable over-the-air to ensure it is kept at its prime and handles every computing aspect of the vehicle including energy management, driveline functionality, safety and driver assistance systems, infotainment and connectivity, and much more. 
 
Inside, the five-seat iX3 offers a pared back décor and is fronted by a massive 43.3-inch ‘Panoramic Vision’ display stretching the entire width of the dashboard. 
 
The new interface is said to offer more intuitive control and is joined by a head-up display in the driver’s line of sight, a separate 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, native sat nav, downloadable apps, and a far greater level of personalisation. 
 
Of course, much of that ‘screenification’ means the cabin of the iX3 is without hard buttons.  
 
Haptic controls are used for items including the indicators, wipers, mirrors, gear selector, climate control, volume control, and more, retaining a traditional button only for the hazard lights, demister, and door latches. 
 
The cabin is upholstered in Veganza faux leather with complementary finishes including the carpet mats and hood lining made from recycled materials. 
 
Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, heated and power adjustable front seats, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging pad, and a powered tailgate. Cargo space is listed 520 litres (+10 litres) with all the seats in place and 1750 litres all told. A small ‘frunk’ offers an additional 58 litres of stowage under the bonnet.

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