BMW Unveils Neue Klasse iX3 EV, Marks Major Platform Shift

BMW has unveiled the second-generation iX3, its first electric SUV built on the new Neue Klasse platform, representing a significant shift in the brand's design and technology philosophy. This all-new iX3 features an 800-volt electrical architecture with a 108.7 kWh battery capable of ultra-fast DC charging at up to 400 kW, allowing it to add approximately 370 km of range in just 10 minutes. The SUV delivers 463 horsepower, an EPA-estimated range exceeding 400 miles, and accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 210 kph. Inside, it introduces BMW's Panoramic iDrive digital instrument panel and the “Heart of Joy” computer system, running on an Android-based OS with physical controls kept for safer driving, along with Level 2 Plus automated driving features and OTA updates. Production will take place at BMW's new Debrecen plant in Hungary, with North American sales starting mid-2026 and prices beginning around $60,000. This launch also sets the stage for BMW's upcoming electric 3 Series model, the i3, which shares the Neue Klasse architecture and production line, emphasizing BMW’s commitment to a broad electrification strategy with 40 new models planned by 2027.