discussion 2026 BMW iX3 (NA5) Neue Klasse Debut

[Quick///M]

The All-New BMW iX3 – First of the Neue Klasse


BMW has officially revealed the new iX3, the first production model of the Neue Klasse generation. Built at BMW’s new Debrecen plant in Hungary, the iX3 will arrive in Europe in spring 2026 and the US in summer 2026, with a China-specific version produced locally.


Performance and Range
The top model is the iX3 50 xDrive which uses a dual motor all-wheel drive system producing 345 kW (469 hp) and 645 Nm. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, has a top speed of 210 km/h and a usable battery capacity of 108.7 kWh. With sixth-generation eDrive technology it delivers a WLTP range of 679 to 805 km (421 to 500 miles) and can recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes with 400 kW DC charging, adding up to 372 km of range in just 10 minutes. Alongside this performance flagship, BMW will also launch additional fully electric variants. A standard xDrive version with slightly lower output and a single motor entry-level model focused on affordability and efficiency are both planned. These variants are expected to still exceed 500 km of WLTP range while offering smaller battery options and reduced power compared to the iX3 50 xDrive.


Design and Interior
The iX3 debuts BMW’s new design language which is modern, clean and timeless while remaining true to the brand. At 4,782 mm long, 1,895 mm wide and 1,635 mm high, it carries the SAV proportions with a drag coefficient of just 0.24. Luggage capacity ranges from 520 litres to 1,750 litres with the seats folded and there is an additional 58 litre frunk. Inside, the cabin is built around the new Panoramic iDrive and BMW Operating System X. The floating dashboard, panoramic roof, minimalist seating and use of sustainable materials create a bright, spacious and modern feel. Options include M Sport packages, Iconic Glow lighting, Harman Kardon audio and BMW Individual leather finishes.


Technology and Driving Experience
The iX3 introduces BMW Panoramic iDrive, projecting information across the full windscreen and integrating a 3D head-up display with the central display for a seamless digital cockpit. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is upgraded with more natural interaction and will adopt large language model technology in the future. Infotainment includes Spotify, Disney+, YouTube, AirConsole gaming and Zoom video calls. Underneath, the Heart of Joy supercomputer manages driving dynamics with ten times the processing power of current systems, ensuring instant response, precision and efficiency. Advanced driver assistance brings motorway hands-free capability and city assistant functions like traffic light detection.


Sustainability

The new iX3 reduces its life cycle carbon footprint by 34 per cent compared to its predecessor. Around one third of the materials used come from recycled sources including marine plastics, PET fibres and recycled aluminium. Production at the Debrecen plant is fossil fuel free and energy consumption is 20 per cent lower than the previous generation.


Why It Matters
The iX3 is not just a model update but a leap forward that launches BMW into a new era of electrification, digitalisation and circularity. It is the first Neue Klasse vehicle to reach production and will be followed by 40 new models and updates by 2027, ensuring the technologies debuting in the iX3 will shape the future of the BMW brand.

 

[Quick///M]

Apologies technical difficulties with the pics

 

[TBP88]

Apologies technical difficulties with the pics

no apology needed - can you delete them please?

 

[General.Massacre]

Why does the steering wheel look like it slipped 90deg on the manufacturing jig, and they just carried on fitting the buttons without looking

 

[AshG108]

Why does the steering wheel look like it slipped 90deg on the manufacturing jig, and they just carried on fitting the buttons without looking

Friday design, the engineers were really needing to go home and get the deliverable completed...

 

[DHimself]

Nothing about this car is likeable, except maybe the more acceptable grille-size. I swear BMW keeps pushing to see what fans/customers are willing to accept in terms of design.

 

[msm]

I get the need for BMW to keep pushing boundaries - particularly for the new customers, in light of the Chinese brands that are taking away market share from the traditional European brands. As an example, look at how Merc is falling and failing... As an "enthusiast' the iX3 has zero appeal to me. BUT if it pays the bills to keep BMW going and for them to build proper bespoke ///M cars (M2, M3, M4, etc), then by all means, let then continue to build this crap to keep funding the cars that I really like.

I recently spend some time poking around in a new X3 - whilst the tech and cool ambient lighting, etc, might appeal to new buyers (and hopefully sell well), I was shocked at the amount of cheap plastics in the interior. Honestly, if you blindfolded someone and asked them to just feel the door handle on a new Corolla versus new X3, the Corolla would feel more premium. But I guess the cool features are party tricks that will appeal to new buyers - and that's perfectly fine as long as it keeps BMW afloat as a brand that survives and keeps the niche enthusiast segment happy as well.

 

[TBP88]

I get the need for BMW to keep pushing boundaries - particularly for the new customers, in light of the Chinese brands that are taking away market share from the traditional European brands. As an example, look at how Merc is falling and failing... As an "enthusiast' the iX3 has zero appeal to me. BUT if it pays the bills to keep BMW going and for them to build proper bespoke ///M cars (M2, M3, M4, etc), then by all means, let then continue to build this crap to keep funding the cars that I really like.

I recently spend some time poking around in a new X3 - whilst the tech and cool ambient lighting, etc, might appeal to new buyers (and hopefully sell well), I was shocked at the amount of cheap plastics in the interior. Honestly, if you blindfolded someone and asked them to just feel the door handle on a new Corolla versus new X3, the Corolla would feel more premium. But I guess the cool features are party tricks that will appeal to new buyers - and that's perfectly fine as long as it keeps BMW afloat as a brand that survives and keeps the niche enthusiast segment happy as well.

Exactly my thoughts trying the high end japanese stuff. A mazda CX interior is about on par with the current X1 at ~30%ish cheaper.

WILD to think BMW expects buyers to pay the huge premiums they charge, the cars aren't even produced in germany largely anymore. The traditional brands will die out *very* quickly if this is the direction they commit to.

 

[Greenz]

The All-New BMW iX3 – First of the Neue Klasse


BMW has officially revealed the new iX3, the first production model of the Neue Klasse generation. Built at BMW’s new Debrecen plant in Hungary, the iX3 will arrive in Europe in spring 2026 and the US in summer 2026, with a China-specific version produced locally.


Performance and Range
The top model is the iX3 50 xDrive which uses a dual motor all-wheel drive system producing 345 kW (469 hp) and 645 Nm. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, has a top speed of 210 km/h and a usable battery capacity of 108.7 kWh. With sixth-generation eDrive technology it delivers a WLTP range of 679 to 805 km (421 to 500 miles) and can recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes with 400 kW DC charging, adding up to 372 km of range in just 10 minutes. Alongside this performance flagship, BMW will also launch additional fully electric variants. A standard xDrive version with slightly lower output and a single motor entry-level model focused on affordability and efficiency are both planned. These variants are expected to still exceed 500 km of WLTP range while offering smaller battery options and reduced power compared to the iX3 50 xDrive.


Design and Interior
The iX3 debuts BMW’s new design language which is modern, clean and timeless while remaining true to the brand. At 4,782 mm long, 1,895 mm wide and 1,635 mm high, it carries the SAV proportions with a drag coefficient of just 0.24. Luggage capacity ranges from 520 litres to 1,750 litres with the seats folded and there is an additional 58 litre frunk. Inside, the cabin is built around the new Panoramic iDrive and BMW Operating System X. The floating dashboard, panoramic roof, minimalist seating and use of sustainable materials create a bright, spacious and modern feel. Options include M Sport packages, Iconic Glow lighting, Harman Kardon audio and BMW Individual leather finishes.


Technology and Driving Experience
The iX3 introduces BMW Panoramic iDrive, projecting information across the full windscreen and integrating a 3D head-up display with the central display for a seamless digital cockpit. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is upgraded with more natural interaction and will adopt large language model technology in the future. Infotainment includes Spotify, Disney+, YouTube, AirConsole gaming and Zoom video calls. Underneath, the Heart of Joy supercomputer manages driving dynamics with ten times the processing power of current systems, ensuring instant response, precision and efficiency. Advanced driver assistance brings motorway hands-free capability and city assistant functions like traffic light detection.


Sustainability

The new iX3 reduces its life cycle carbon footprint by 34 per cent compared to its predecessor. Around one third of the materials used come from recycled sources including marine plastics, PET fibres and recycled aluminium. Production at the Debrecen plant is fossil fuel free and energy consumption is 20 per cent lower than the previous generation.


Why It Matters
The iX3 is not just a model update but a leap forward that launches BMW into a new era of electrification, digitalisation and circularity. It is the first Neue Klasse vehicle to reach production and will be followed by 40 new models and updates by 2027, ensuring the technologies debuting in the iX3 will shape the future of the BMW brand.



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This will be a hit with beavers who can drive.

 

[modocrat]

I get the need for BMW to keep pushing boundaries - particularly for the new customers, in light of the Chinese brands that are taking away market share from the traditional European brands. As an example, look at how Merc is falling and failing... As an "enthusiast' the iX3 has zero appeal to me. BUT if it pays the bills to keep BMW going and for them to build proper bespoke ///M cars (M2, M3, M4, etc), then by all means, let then continue to build this crap to keep funding the cars that I really like.

I recently spend some time poking around in a new X3 - whilst the tech and cool ambient lighting, etc, might appeal to new buyers (and hopefully sell well), I was shocked at the amount of cheap plastics in the interior. Honestly, if you blindfolded someone and asked them to just feel the door handle on a new Corolla versus new X3, the Corolla would feel more premium. But I guess the cool features are party tricks that will appeal to new buyers - and that's perfectly fine as long as it keeps BMW afloat as a brand that survives and keeps the niche enthusiast segment happy as well.

And the sunroof doesn't even open anymore...

 

[TurboLlew]

This brand is no longer appealing to me in any way I'm afraid. It isn't even electrification or the shit quality or the ergonomic regression or the design flaws (for those who have not yet been in a new X3, go and see... they took notes from Merc).

I just find it not only unappealing to me (as with the current design language), but also embarrassing to be seen in something that looks like this from the outside (as much as I don't like them personally, I wouldn't feel embarrassed to drive a current gen car by comparison). There are BYDs I'd sooner be seen in if I am brutally honest.

There is no redeeming feature on the inside that would make this a welcoming or comfortable place for me to sit for even a few minutes.

The Koup-M3 is going to wear the same front treatment as this...

Rear looks like this

front looks like this

 

[Nastaliq]

I can only see this and nothing else.


Nope, just NO!

 

[///M Individual]

And the sunroof doesn't even open anymore...

I was shocked to see this when I ceramic coated one last week bud. It's so ridiculous. Who wants a glass roof that doesn't tilt or slide!

 

[Mytfine]

I kinda like it for some odd reason