BMW has just pulled the covers off what it calls its “biggest future-focused project,” the first model of the Neue Klasse, the next-generation iX3. Presented at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, this fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) isn’t just another EV; it’s a technological leap, and the dawn of a new era for the Bavarian brand. This is more than a model replacement; it’s a reinvention, much like the original ‘Neue Klasse’ (New Class) did for the company back in the 1960s.
To bring you up to speed, ‘Neue Klasse’ (pronounced Noya Classa) was a name first introduced by BMW in the early 1960’s as a visionary restructure for the then, ailing brand. It was given to a revolutionary car that defined a new segment, essentially mid-sized sports saloons, and went on to be the father of the 3 and 5 Series. The Neue Klasse was so successful that it it tripled sales in 10 years (60s-70s) and has remained a BMW term for game-changing vehicles/segments.
So, what does this ‘new era’ look like? It’s a holistic reimagining of the automobile, focusing on electrification, digitalisation, design, and circularity. For those of us in New Zealand, the future is officially on its way, with deliveries slated to begin from mid-2026.
The Key Points: What You REALLY Need to Know
For the enthusiast in a hurry, here are the headline stats and crucial details for the launch variant, the BMW iX3 50 xDrive:
The Concept: This is the first vehicle from BMW’s “Neue Klasse,” a ground-up reinvention of the brand’s approach to car-making.
Power & Performance: A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system produces 345kW and 645Nm of torque, rocketing the SAV from 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.
Massive Range: Thanks to a new 108kWh high-voltage battery with 6th-gen eDrive technology, BMW is claiming a driving range of up to 805km on the WLTP cycle.
Ludicrously Fast Charging: With 800V architecture, the iX3 can handle a maximum charging rate of 400kW. This means you can add over 350km of range in just 10 minutes or charge from 10% to 80% in 21 minutes.
All-New Tech: The iX3 features four ‘superbrain’ computers with over 20 times the processing power of previous systems, managing everything from driving dynamics to a new BMW Panoramic iDrive system based on BMW Operating System X.
New Zealand Arrival: Production for NZ-bound vehicles kicks off next year at a new plant in Hungary, with local deliveries set to start from mid-2026?.
A New Face, A New Philosophy
The technological leap forward has given BMW the opportunity to launch a completely new design language, and it’s a significant departure. Described as “reduced, characterful and timeless,” the design is cleaner and more monolithic.
The front end is dominated by a new brand face for BMW X models, featuring vertically arranged LED headlights and a bold, vertical interpretation of the iconic kidney grille, a nod to the Neue Klasse models of the 1960s. Tellingly, chrome has been replaced by ‘Iconic Glow’ lighting, which provides distinctive accents day or night. The sleek silhouette, with its flush door handles and compact glasshouse, helps the iX3 achieve an impressive drag coefficient of 0.24, contributing to its outstanding range.
Heart of Joy: The Tech Breakdown
Underpinning the iX3 is BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology. This comprises new, highly efficient electric motors, an innovative high-voltage battery with cylindrical cells, and 800-volt technology. The new battery design alone offers 20% higher energy density and 30% faster charging than the fifth-gen tech it replaces.
But it’s not just about the battery. The entire vehicle architecture is new. The driving experience is managed by what BMW calls the “Heart of Joy,” a high-performance computer that combines drivetrain and driving dynamics management to maximise potency, precision, and efficiency. This, along with three other “superbrain” computers, handles everything from automated driving to the new BMW Panoramic iDrive, a system that projects key information across the full width of the windscreen, creating a more intuitive and holistic user experience.
A Circular Approach
BMW is also emphasising a new holistic approach to sustainability. The entire lifecycle of the iX3 has been considered, from sourcing secondary materials and using renewable energy in the supply chain to its production and eventual recycling. The result is a vehicle with a product carbon footprint that is 34% smaller than its predecessor over a 200,000km life cycle.
This isn’t just a new car; it’s a bold vision made real. As BMW AG Chairman Oliver Zipse stated, “The Neue Klasse is our biggest future-focused project… Practically everything about it is new, yet it is also more BMW than ever”. For Kiwi drivers, the countdown to a new era of BMW starts now.
