- BMW as we speak confirmed off the 2027 iX3, an all-electric SUV on an all-new platform
- It’s the primary of a brand new era of autos that may see BMW undertake a contemporary design scheme it’s been planning for years
- U.S. deliveries set for mid-2026
“Right here it’s. The primary of a brand new period. The way forward for the automotive.”
That’s how BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse launched the 2027 BMW iX3, an all-electric SUV the model confirmed off as we speak at Munich’s motor present.
It’s grand language for an electrical SUV — one thing most manufacturers have already got on sale as we speak, BMW included. However BMW and its longtime followers are inclined to see the corporate’s merchandise in eras. The corporate has been teasing the beginning of a brand new period since late 2023. The iX3 would be the first in a wave of latest designs that may see the corporate’s complete portfolio remade in a brand new type. BMW says iX3 manufacturing will start within the first quarter of subsequent yr, with U.S. deliveries beginning in mid-2026.
BMW calls this era the Neue Klasse designs, resurrecting a reputation it used within the Nineteen Sixties for the era of automobiles that gained it its trendy status because the efficiency model amongst luxurious automakers.
Like these automobiles, this new one incorporates a cleaner, easier method to aesthetics than the automobiles that preceded it. Not like them, it additionally incorporates a new method to know-how primarily based on computing energy.
BMW says costs will start “round $60,000,” however we discover automaker estimates this far out from a mannequin’s arrival in dealerships are sometimes low.
Clear Traces, Skinny Vertical Kidney Grille
- Designers aimed for a clear, easy design language that saluted BMW automobiles of the Nineteen Sixties and ’70s in trendy type
- BMW’s ever-evolving two-kidney grille reveals up tall and slender this time
BMW followers have an extended historical past of critiquing every new design scheme, at the same time as they snap it up off seller heaps. Nonetheless, we really feel the Neue Klasse designs will probably be welcomed.
They borrow a bit from the basic look of Nineteen Sixties and Seventies BMW automobiles, with few of the aggressive character traces which have marked current a long time.
It’s electrical, so it has no need for a grille or aggressive air intakes. Nonetheless, drivers affiliate these options with efficiency, so BMW has copied them. The signature two-kidney grille, which has grown outsized in some current designs, is now tall and skinny prefer it was a long time in the past.
A valley within the hood homes the BMW roundel. In profile, the one character traces are boxy planes defining the fenders. From the rear, there’s a pronounced shoulder line, and the valley impact is mimicked with the roundel between raised taillights.
Panoramic Show, No iDrive Puck
- The cabin is clear and easy, with a skinny panoramic show straight beneath the windshield
Inside, designers aimed for “an uncluttered, lowered design.” Character comes from traces of adjustable-color lighting that appear like blowing wheat diagonal throughout the floor of the dashboard.
A parallelogram-shaped central touchscreen handles infotainment duties. Moderately than a driver’s instrument show, there’s a single, skinny show stretching throughout the underside of the windshield that retains important data within the driver’s peripheral view. We’ve loved the same design method in current Lincoln fashions and located it very user-friendly.
BMW veterans will probably be shocked to search out no puck-style iDrive controller. BMW calls its new interface “Panoramic iDrive,” but it surely lacks iDrive’s signature enter machine.
A brand new “Clever Private Assistant” ought to make voice controls a straightforward matter.
‘Superbrains’
- The know-how suite makes use of 4 high-powered processors quite than the a whole lot of low-powered ones frequent to as we speak’s automobiles
Engineers took a radically new method to know-how within the automotive, although BMW isn’t the primary to strive it.
Most of as we speak’s automobiles are suffering from a whole lot and even hundreds of low cost, low-powered pc chips. Typically, every handles only a easy job like elevating and decreasing home windows. This has left automakers unusually susceptible to disruptions within the microchip provide chain.
As a substitute, BMW has wired the iX3 with simply 4 very high-powered processors. It calls them “superbrains.”
The corporate explains, “They pool their processing energy for driving dynamics, automated driving, infotainment, and primary and comfort-enhancing features.”
Rivian pioneered this method to software program, which intrigued the remainder of the trade sufficient that Volkswagen made a $5 billion funding within the startup to entry the design. We anticipate it to unfold by the automotive trade over the subsequent decade.
It may additionally assist pave the best way for an concept that makes many drivers nervous. BMW isn’t shy about saying the method “creates the inspiration for the next-generation Software program-Outlined Car (SDV).” That’s trade terminology for a automotive automakers can alter on the fly with software program downloads.
Many hope to make use of it to create a continuing income stream, providing drivers subscriptions for every little thing from further horsepower to improved audio. BMW hasn’t introduced plans for characteristic subscriptions. Nonetheless, it does take pains to level out that the iX3 has the structure for them.
‘Coronary heart of Pleasure’ Drivetrain
- The primary mannequin provided will probably be all-wheel drive with 463 hp
- Different variants will probably be introduced later
BMW calls a kind of “superbrains” — we’re not making this up — the “coronary heart of pleasure.” It’s a mind and a coronary heart, we guess? Even entrepreneurs typically combine metaphors.
“This high-performance management unit is liable for the drivetrain, brakes, power recuperation, and steering features, and processes data as much as ten instances sooner than standard management models,” the corporate says.
Mechanically, the primary mannequin provided will use a pair of electrical motors, one per axle, for all-wheel-drive (AWD) grip and 463 horsepower. The corporate says it should get to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and has a prime velocity of 130 mph. Different variants will observe.
The corporate tasks “a spread of as much as 400 miles.” It’s too quickly for EPA testing to offer an official determine. A Tesla-style NACS charging port will permit it to make use of Tesla Superchargers. An 800-volt structure ought to make it able to charging shortly.
BMW says, “A most charging fee of 400 kW permits customers so as to add as much as ~230 miles of vary in simply 10 minutes at an 800V DC charging station.” Nonetheless, we should always observe that there are only a few public chargers able to greater than 350 kW within the U.S.
The corporate guarantees “unmatched poise, assurance, and precision.” BMW lovers will probably be completely happy to listen to that the automotive will get there by largely mechanical, not digital, means.
BMW explains, “The double-joint spring strut entrance axle with torque arm and anti-roll bar within the BMW iX3 has its steering gear positioned forward of the axle. The kinematics of the entrance axle have been developed with an elevated caster offset and firmer rubber mounts to offer drivers higher steering really feel and obtain extra exact automobile response. On the again, a brand new sort of five-link rear axle with separate association of springs and dampers creates house for a bigger baggage compartment.”
