BMW Unveils the iX3: Neue Klasse EV With 800 km Range and 400 kW Fast Charging

The BMW iX3 marks the brand’s next generation of electric vehicles.

BMW has unveiled the iX3, the first production model from its new Neue Klasse generation — a platform that signals a fundamental shift in the brand’s approach to EV design, technology, and architecture. The iX3 is the first in a broader lineup of next-generation electric vehicles expected to arrive over the coming years.

The model’s headline technical achievement is BMW’s largest ever battery, with a capacity of 108.7 kWh. Thanks to an 800-volt architecture and efficiency of up to 6.6 km/kWh, the claimed WLTP range reaches approximately 800 km (500 miles). Fast charging at up to 400 kW can add 373 km (230 miles) of range in just 10 minutes.

The iX3 is powered by two electric motors producing a combined 469 horsepower and 645 Nm of torque, with a 0–100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds — placing it in line with rivals such as the Tesla Model Y. Despite housing BMW’s largest ever battery, the iX3 is marginally more compact than the standard X3, made possible by a new architecture that increases energy density by approximately 25% and improves battery cooling.

Inside, the cabin represents a clear departure from previous BMWs. The interior is dominated by a 17.9-inch infotainment screen and the new BMW Panoramic iDrive system, which features a head-up display stretching across the windshield. The number of physical buttons has been significantly reduced in favour of a minimalist layout — a choice that runs counter to the broader industry trend of reintroducing physical controls.

The exterior design has attracted considerable attention. Rather than the oversized kidney grille that has defined recent BMW models, the iX3 features a narrower, vertical kidney grille drawn from the brand’s classic car designs of the 1950s and 1960s.

The BMW iX3 50 xDrive is expected to be priced at around $60,000, placing it in direct competition with the Volvo EX60 and Tesla Model Y.