BMW has just unveiled a radical rethink of its electric SUV: the new iX3. The headline: an astonishing WLTP range of roughly 805 km for the mid-range, all-wheel-drive 50 xDrive — the longest advertised range of any passenger car on sale in the EU today — priced from about €69,304. That figure alone signals a major leap in EV capability, and BMW says it’s only the start: a rear-wheel-drive 40 variant arriving next year aims for around 966 km on a single charge.
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The design reads like deliberate minimalism. Clean surfaces, hidden window seals and pop-out door handles strip away visual clutter, while horizontal light bars and an optional illuminated grille provide the highlights that chrome once did. At almost 4.8 m long and just over 1.6 m tall, the iX3 sits in X3 territory but feels more composed thanks to standard 20-inch wheels and gloss-black detailing. Under the skin is where BMW has gone all-in.
The Neue Klasse architecture introduces an 800-volt electrical system, shorter wiring looms and public DC charging rated up to 400 kW. In a demonstration build, a prototype replenished roughly 414 km of range in just 10 minutes. Bidirectional charging is available too, with converters that let the car top up tools on the move or deliver up to 11 kW back to a home. Battery and drivetrain technology were redesigned from the cell level. Cylindrical cells slot directly into the pack — the pack doubles as the car’s floor structure to save weight — and offer about 20% higher energy density and 30% faster charging than BMW’s previous chemistry. The largest announced battery delivers 108.7 kWh of usable capacity. Two new motor designs reduce size, mass and consumption, while regenerative braking handles around 98% of decelerations. Those incremental gains add up to roughly 6.6 km per kWh and the headline WLTP range.
Performance for the 50 xDrive is also formidable: combined output of 463 hp and 645 Nm of torque launches the iX3 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, yet the engineers have tuned the chassis to feel much lighter than its ~2,200 kg curb weight suggests. That mass is still about 100 kg lighter than its closest rival, contributing to sharper handling and better efficiency. BMW’s electronics leap is equally significant. A new electronic architecture multiplies processing power and uses four central “superbrain” computers. One, dubbed the dynamic controller, orchestrates motors, steering, brakes and safety systems in real time to maximise traction and deliver ultra-smooth stops. The others run infotainment (including streaming apps and in-car gaming), vehicle routines like climate and lighting, and advanced driver assistance. Features tested in prototypes include AI-assisted overtaking and systems that interpret driver intent to allow gentle lane excursions to pass obstructions — making autonomy feel less mechanical and more intuitive. Sustainability was built in from day one: higher recycled content, easier disassembly and a supply chain with a 35% lower carbon footprint.
BMW calculates that the iX3 offsets its more energy-intensive production compared with a petrol X3 after about 20,000 km of driving. Inside, the Panoramic iDrive display stretches across the dash, placing speed and range in the driver’s line of sight with configurable zones for passengers. A head-up display offers animated turn cues, and a large asymmetric touchscreen sits alongside a handful of tactile controls. Light colours, deep glass surfaces and upholstered dash panels aim to make the cabin feel warm rather than gadget-heavy.
Practicality is strong: 520 litres of boot space expand to 1,750 litres with the rear seats folded. Standard kit on the base car includes heated six-way electric seats, wireless charging, leather-free upholstery, dual-zone climate and smartphone mirroring, while sportier M Sport trims add bodykit and ambient lighting. First deliveries in the Europe are slated for March 2026 — and the iX3 looks poised to reset expectations for long-range electric SUVs.
