10 Things We Expect From The BMW iX3

BMW‘s biggest project at the moment is getting its new catalog of

Neue Klasse-based electric vehicles
ready for the market. It first announced plans for this strategy a couple of years ago, but a new set of leaks and teasers highlights that we could expect the first production model to arrive well before the decade ends. Like many of its other European counterparts, BMW has announced that it will roll back its full electrification plans on favor of a more diverse set of fueling options, but EVs will remain a core focus of its future endeavors.

The

BMW iX3
will be the first Neue Klasse model, bringing with it a brand-new platform, design language, and revised drivetrain technologies. BMW has been incredibly silent about what we can expect from its all-new premium electric crossover, but there is a paper trail of rumors, leaks, and interviews that give us somewhat of an idea of what we can expect from this highly anticipated electrified crossover option.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from BMW and other authoritative sources, including Autocar and Car and Driver.

1

The iX3 Sits On BMW’s Neue Klasse Platform

BMW’s Next-Generation EV Architecture

BMW is basing the upcoming iX3 on its

Neue Klasse platform
, meaning that it will introduce the brand’s next-generation electric vehicle architecture. Based on what the brand has revealed, this chassis will set new benchmarks in efficiency, performance, and sustainability. BMW plans to introduce this model sometime this year, but we’re still waiting for an official launch date. The Bavarian brand also highlights that the new platform introduces improved battery technology, including BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive system. There’s also a new cylindrical battery cell design, which offers up to 20 percent higher energy density, improved range, and faster charging times.

BMW says that the Neue Klasse design prioritizes modularity, so it will use this system for all future EVs, including sedans, GTs, and SUVs, but with the benefit of optimized production costs through streamlined manufacturing processes. The upcoming BMW iX3 will be the first model to adopt this platform, signaling a major step forward for the brand’s electric SUV offerings. The iX3 on Neue Klasse will benefit from increased interior space due to its flat-floor design and reduced weight, resulting in better aerodynamics and driving dynamics when compared to the current CLAR-based example. You can also expect enhanced digitalization features, including over-the-air updates and a new generation of the iDrive system, which aims to redefine in-car connectivity.

2

BMW’s Revised Electrically Excited Motor Technology

The Brand Will Maintain The Same Electric Drive Units

BMW’s

electrically excited synchronous motor
(EESM) technology is a unique choice in the EV industry, and the brand will remain dedicated to this with the arrival of the Neue Klasse generation. Unlike conventional permanent magnet motors, EESMs do not rely on rare earth materials, reducing environmental impact and supply chain dependency. Instead, these motors generate a magnetic field through an electric current in the rotor, providing precise control and consistent performance across a wide range of speeds. This design minimizes heat loss and increases overall efficiency, making it particularly effective in delivering high power with reduced energy consumption.

Current-Generation BMW iX3 Specifications

EESMs also offer smoother acceleration and enhanced regenerative braking capabilities. The absence of permanent magnets eliminates the risk of demagnetization under high thermal loads, improving reliability and durability. BMW uses this technology in its existing electric models,

such as the i4
, integrating it with their advanced eDrive systems. This ensures seamless integration with the vehicle’s drivetrain, optimizing energy recovery and enhancing driving dynamics. Additionally, the compact design of EESMs contributes to lighter and more space-efficient powertrains, which improves range and performance.

3

Spacious Trunk And Frunk Compartments

The New Platform Enjoys Improved Interior Space

BMW will maximize cargo space on the new iX3 by leveraging the design of its Neue Klasse platform.

Consumers tend to prefer crossovers
to sedans and hatchbacks so that they can take advantage of more interior space. The CLAR platform does accommodate EV drivetrains, but it remains an ICE-focused platform. The new design means that BMW can optimize the level of interior space, which is bound to make the upcoming iX3 a much more spacious crossover.

The platform’s flat-floor architecture eliminates the traditional transmission tunnel, creating more usable interior volume. Integrating the battery pack into the floor structure means that BMW achieves an even lower center of gravity without intruding on cabin or cargo space. The rear-mounted electric motor also allows for a more compact drivetrain layout, freeing up additional space in the rear compartment.

The Neue Klasse also features an optimized rear suspension, resulting in a more spacious and practical cargo area, including foldable rear seats with a flat-folding mechanism that provides flexibility for larger loads. There’s a possibility that we can also expect to see underfloor storage solutions that maximize every inch of available space, but there’s no confirmation of this being the case. Beyond this, it’s highly likely that the BMW iX3 will feature smart loading solutions, including an adjustable load floor and a hands-free tailgate, making the cargo area more accessible and versatile for various needs. Some of these features are already available on its existing models.

4

Production Will Take Place In Hungary

BMW Will Assemble Its New EV At The Debrecen Plant

BMW has confirmed that the Neue Klasse-based BMW iX3’s production will take place at its Debrecen factory in Hungary. This is a state-of-the-art facility specifically designed to manufacture the Neue Klasse generation of electric vehicles and is set to officially operate in 2025. The Debrecen plant will operate using 100 percent renewable energy, with a focus on minimizing CO2 emissions throughout production. It will also feature an all-new assembly line optimized for modular electric vehicle production, enabling flexibility to build various models on the same line. Automation will play a key role, with advanced robotics handling tasks such as battery integration and body assembly.

BMW’s Brand-New Facility

• BMW announced the Debrecen plant in Hungary in 2018, marking a significant investment in its European production network.
• Construction began in 2022, with plans to make it a key facility for BMW’s next-generation electric vehicles.
• The plant represents BMW’s commitment to sustainability, aiming for a carbon-neutral operation powered entirely by renewable energy.
• Debrecen will produce vehicles based on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, which focuses on advanced electrification and digitalization.
• The factory is set to open in 2025, with an initial annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles.
• BMW plans to use innovative technologies, including fully digitalized production lines and autonomous transport systems within the plant.

The plant will incorporate BMW’s iFACTORY strategy, which emphasizes digitalization, including the use of AI for quality control and predictive maintenance. Changes also include dedicated areas for assembling

BMW’s new cylindrical battery cells
, which are integral to the iX3’s performance and efficiency. The plant will prioritize sustainability by utilizing closed-loop recycling systems for materials like aluminum and steel, aligning with BMW’s goals of reducing waste and achieving carbon-neutral production.

5

Adopting The Neue Klasse X Design Philosophy

The iX3 Draws Inspiration From The Neue Klasse X Concept

The

Neue Klasse BMW iX3’s design philosophy
focuses on modern minimalism, aerodynamic efficiency, and sustainable innovation, drawing significant inspiration from the Vision Neue Klasse concept vehicle. We’ve seen plenty of teaser images and videos of camouflaged examples, but we can still get hints of the concept’s clean lines, simplified surfaces, and a focus on functionality, reflecting BMW’s forward-looking aesthetic for its next generation of vehicles.

Key elements include a streamlined body shape, optimized for aerodynamics to enhance range and performance, and a reduction in visual clutter, reinforcing the concept’s ethos of precision and clarity.

The

controversial Domagoj Dukec has officially departed from BMW
so that he can take charge of the Rolls-Royce brand, but his influential design philosophy will still be applied to the iX3, as he would have been the lead designer while its conceptual design was being formed. This means that an outlandish and abstract EV SUV is pretty much an inevitable fact.

6

Renewable Interior Materials With Digital Features

Taking BMW’s Interior Design Into The Future

It’s pretty much a certainty that the new iX3 will incorporate

BMW’s new generation of sustainable materials
and advanced digital systems. These are two aspects that it has teased for its Neue Klasse products extensively via specialized concepts over the last few years. These include recycled aluminum, secondary steel, and sustainably sourced plastics. The interior will adopt recycled fabrics, natural fibers, and upholstery options free from animal-based materials, reducing the vehicle’s environmental footprint. Advanced manufacturing processes will ensure minimal waste, with closed-loop recycling systems recovering materials like aluminum and steel for reuse.

Digital systems in the iX3 will take a significant leap forward with BMW’s next-generation iDrive technology, integrating AI-driven features for a more personalized and intuitive user experience. The vehicle will utilize the Panoramic Vision display, a sleek, driver-focused interface that projects essential information across the windshield, reducing the need for physical controls and enhancing the minimalist interior design. Over-the-air software updates will ensure the iX3 remains up-to-date with the latest features and improvements throughout its lifecycle. Sustainability extends to the powertrain, with the iX3 employing BMW’s new cylindrical battery cells, designed for higher energy efficiency and lower resource consumption during production.

7

Engaging Driving Characteristics

Traditional BMW Driving Characteristics In A Futuristic SUV

As you can understand, it’s not a BMW if it’s not entertaining and engaging to drive. Based on this fact alone, we anticipate that the new iX3 will inherit a chassis that finds the perfect balance between comfort and athleticism, while also incorporating a good eight distribution and low center of gravity. The flat-floor design optimizes interior space but also enhances stability and handling dynamics.

BMW engineers will equip the iX3 with a multi-link rear suspension and a strut-based front setup,

similar to the current CLAR platform applied to the likes of the BMW i5
. This will be fine-tuned for precise steering response and road feedback. Lightweight materials will further reduce overall weight while maintaining structural integrity to improve agility and efficiency.

BMW’s innovative adaptive suspension system will employ electronically controlled dampers, granting iX3 drivers the option to adjust between comfort-oriented cruising and sportier driving modes. The Neue Klasse platform will also enable the integration of BMW’s advanced electric drive units, which combine the motor, power electronics, and transmission into a single compact housing to free up more space and improve weight distribution.

8

Futuristic LED Lighting

BMW’s New-Generation Exterior Lighting

LEDs appear to be a primary focus for a lot of new EV designs and this is no exception for the upcoming BMW iX3. The aforementioned concept together with interpretations of the testing unit highlights that we can expect to see innovative exterior lighting systems designed to enhance functionality, aesthetics, and energy efficiency. By analyzing the Vision Neue Klasse X concept, we understand that the iX3 will incorporate ultraslim LED headlamps with a modern and minimalist approach that aligns with the vehicle’s clean and futuristic styling

as seen on the current iX SUV
. These headlights will likely employ advanced adaptive matrix technology, offering precise control over light distribution to improve visibility while reducing glare for oncoming traffic.

We also expect BMW to introduce dynamic welcome and farewell light animations, where the headlamps and taillamps create engaging visual sequences as the driver approaches or leaves the vehicle. This is already available on its existing model line. The taillights will highly likely feature 3D-printed light elements, a signature design cue from the Neue Klasse concept, emphasizing depth and a sculptural appearance. Advanced lighting features may include Digital Light technology, which can project patterns or warnings directly onto the road, enhancing safety and communication with other road users. Integrated lighting within the kidney grille will also highlight the vehicle’s electric nature, providing a distinctive identity.

9

The Brand’s Most Popular Product

The iX3 Will Lead BMW’s EV Sales Charge

The upcoming BMW iX3 is poised to

become the brand’s best-selling EV
for several reasons. The ever-increasing global demand for EVs and crossovers is a primary reason for its predicted popularity. BMW benefits from an expanding EV portfolio, including an array of exciting and distinctive crossovers. More consumers have steadily been shifting toward EVs for their environmental benefits, lower operating costs, and improved driving experience. This is a trend that is unlikely to change as brands continue to improve the affordability of these products. BMW in particular has enjoyed increasing success with its i4 and iX models, highlighting how there is a strong global appetite for premium, electrified vehicles. The iX3 will build on this momentum, offering a versatile, high-performance electric crossover that appeals to a broad range of consumers.

Crossovers and SUVs are among the most popular vehicle segments worldwide, thanks to their combination of practicality, space, and elevated driving positions. The iX3, as a compact electric SUV, taps into this demand by offering the perfect blend of BMW’s renowned driving dynamics and the practicality and versatility consumers expect from crossovers. With its sustainable design, cutting-edge technology, and performance-driven capabilities, the iX3 is positioned to attract traditional BMW enthusiasts together with a new generation of EV buyers looking for a more luxurious and eco-conscious vehicle option.

10

Get Ready For A 2025 Release

BMW Plans To Release Its New Model As Soon As Next Year

BMW plans to release the new iX3 to the global market in 2025. The electric crossover will debut as part of the brand’s Neue Klasse lineup, marking a significant step in BMW’s electrification strategy. Production is expected to take place at the new Debrecen plant in Hungary, with deliveries likely starting shortly after its debut. The iX3 will be available in various global markets, catering to the increasing demand for electric vehicles, particularly in Europe, North America, and China.

Following the iX3, BMW will introduce an array of supplementary models,

including a 3 Series EV equivalent
as previewed by the first Neue Klasse concept. We’re also expected to see an i8 successor fully electric supercar, among some other larger sedan and crossover options. BMW confirms that it will remain committed to the ICE for a good few years, but its all-electric future is inevitable.