BMW has launched extra particulars of the next-generation iX3the primary of its next-generation ‘Neue Klasse’ electrical automobiles forward of a 2025 Munich motor present reveal and 2026 manufacturing kick-off.
The 2026 BMW IX3 – a battery-electric Polestar 4, Tesla Mannequin Y, Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Expertise and Audi Q6 e-tron rival – would be the first collection manufacturing BMW to make use of the brand new Neue Klasse devoted EV platform.
Utilizing the brand new structure with a ‘Gen6’ electrical powertrain, the brand new iX3 guarantees 800km (WLTP) of vary – practically double the present mannequin’s 460km – and 400kW fast charging including 350km vary in 10 minutes.
The present iX3 can add solely 100km vary after a 10-minute recharge, with new cylindrical battery cells changing the prism design within the outgoing mannequin.
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The platform gained’t assist front-wheel drivewith BMW revealing the Neue Klasse-based iX3 will probably be supplied with single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD drivetrain variants.
Provisional outputs from the prototype dual-motor model is 300kW and 600Nm, in comparison with the present iX3’s 210kW/400Nm from its single rear electrical motor.
The carmaker says the iX3 runs 4 ‘superbrains’ to individually run the assorted components of the automobile, from the powertrain to superior driver help techniques, managed by a central ‘superbrain’ dubbed the ‘Coronary heart of Pleasure’ by BMW.
Synthetic Intelligence-based software program may even be a characteristic for the motive force help techniques, whereas additionally working with the BMW Dynamic Efficiency Management software program to regulate the powertrain, braking, power recuperation and steering techniques.
BMW says the brand new system is 10 instances sooner than these in current showroom fashions.
Pre-production iX3s have revealed the BMW Panoramic iDrive systemwith ‘Panoramic Imaginative and prescient’ operating alongside the underside of the windscreen instead of a conventional instrument binnacle.
Driver devices are additionally proven through a head-up show, whereas the cleaner dashboard has a backlit bodily centre touchscreen.
The iX3’s steering wheel makes use of haptic controls – that means they sense a close-proximity finger and don’t want precise contact – designed to permit the motive force to maintain their eyes on the street.
There’s additionally a flatter flooring courtesy of the devoted electrical automobile development, and whereas cargo quantity has not been disclosed, it needs to be on par – or higher – than the present iX3’s 510L, which expands to 1560L with the rear seats folded.
After the primary manufacturing prototypes have been accomplished final November, BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse revealed in March the iX3 could be the primary Neue Klass BMW, certainly one of 40 new or up to date fashions the BMW Group (which incorporates Mini and Rolls-Royce) to launch by 2027.
“What continues to be hidden below camouflage foil right here will probably be unveiled on the IAA Mobility in Munich in early September,” Zipse stated on the firm’s annual convention.
“There we are going to current the manufacturing mannequin that will probably be obtainable to our clients.”
The convention additionally noticed the corporate reveal it spent extra on know-how investments and product improvement in 2024 than every other time in its 97 years as a carmaker, with A$3.56 billion spent on Neue Klasse alone.
That makes the iX3 the litmus check for the model’s future as the primary Neue Klasse mannequin in showrooms.
“With the upcoming BMW iX3 – the primary mannequin of the brand new automobile era – we’re introducing elementary know-how upgrades with the clear purpose of elevating the standard BMW driving pleasure to an entire new degree,” stated head of BMW Neue Klasse, Mike Reichelt, in an announcement.
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