BMW has unveiled its longest-range electric vehicle yet – the new iX3 SUV that can travel up to 500 miles on a single charge. The model will launch in the UK in early March 2026 with a starting price of £58,755.
The iX3 marks the debut of BMW’s next-generation Neue Klasse platform. This represents what the German automaker calls a fundamental shift that will shape the brand’s entire future.
BMW will showcase the vehicle at the Munich Motor Show.
The SUV introduces the company’s sixth-generation eDrive technology. This system includes redesigned batteries, more efficient motors, and 800V architecture supporting DC charging up to 400kW.
Performance and Charging Capabilities
The most efficient variant – the iX3 50 xDrive – achieves the 500-mile range using a 108kWh battery pack. The model delivers efficiency of 4.1 miles per kWh.
Fast charging allows drivers to add 231 miles of range in just 10 minutes at compatible charging stations.
Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing 463 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. The 4.7-meter SUV accelerates from 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds.
BMW claims significant improvements with the new powertrain system. It’s 10% lighter and 20% cheaper to produce than current technology. Energy losses have dropped by 40% compared to systems in models like the iX.
The vehicle’s “Heart of Joy” driving control system enables 98% of braking through energy recuperation alone.
Advanced Control Systems
Four “superbrains” manage the iX3’s core functions. The Heart of Joy handles driving dynamics. Three additional control centers oversee driver assistance technology, comfort functions, and infotainment systems.
This centralized approach delivers faster response times and improved control.
Design Language
The iX3 introduces BMW’s simplified design philosophy. The upright front end features large air intakes, double light units, and slim kidney grilles that reference the original Neue Klasse vehicles from the 1960s.
Flush door handles, expansive glass surfaces, and clean lines create what BMW describes as a modern aesthetic.
The same powertrain will also power the upcoming electric 3 Series sedan.
Interior space benefits from the dedicated electric architecture. BMW has created room for five passengers, a 520-liter boot, and a 58-liter front trunk.
New Infotainment Technology
The iX3 debuts BMW’s panoramic iDrive system. This includes a full-width digital display beneath the windscreen, a 17.9-inch central touchscreen, and a 3D head-up display.
BMW maintains what it calls a “well-judged” balance between digital interfaces and physical controls.
Orders will open soon for the initial 50 xDrive variant. Three trim levels will be available: iX3, iX3 M Sport, and iX3 M Sport Pro.
Additional variants, including an entry-level rear-wheel-drive model, will arrive later in 2026.
“The Neue Klasse is our biggest future-focused project and marks a huge leap forward in terms of technologies, driving experience and design,” said BMW chairman Oliver Zipse. “Practically everything about it is new, yet it is also more BMW than ever. Our whole product range will benefit from the innovations brought by the Neue Klasse – whichever drive system technology is employed.”
The iX3’s 500-mile range positions it as the longest-range EV available in the UK market when deliveries begin.
