The new BMW ix3 gets to Rivian and Tesla to fight the Chinese EV

• BMW today introduced the new IX3, the first electric vehicle on its Neue Klasse (New Class) platform.
• It is a monster specification with an estimate of 400 miles of range, the ability to add up to 230 miles in 10 minutes of fast charging, zonal architecture and almost 500 horsepower.
• At the end of this year it will be built in Hungary. It is expected that in the United States it will be dirty in 2026, starting with around $ 60,000.

Forget what you know about BMW electric vehicles. Sure, they were excellent. Newer offers of EV, such as IX, I4, i5 and i7, have proven to be a quiet story about the success for BMW and show that traditional automobile society can go electricity without losing what happened in the first place.

But that’s different. It’s something new. And how impressive I4 and the rest was what the next UPS ante came.

Meet the brand new BMW IX3. It can share a name with a limited strain, an electric electric drive sold in Europe and other tries, but where any similarities end. Now it is the first EV on the brand new Neue Klasse BMW platform, which feels more like something that has developed Tesla or Rivian, rather than most of the “Legacy” Legacy Election ”.

And it seems very impressive on paper. BMW says it is rated up to 805 kilometers in Europe in Europe, but the automaker also estimates approximately 400 miles of the EPA EPA EPA. The ix3 boasts fast charge and two -way charging 400 kilowatts, so it can power your gadgets or even your home. Under the skin it has zonal electric architecture for simplicity and excellent computing power.

Is it enough to come back against high-tech Chinese cars who now eat Europe’s lunch on two continents? That’s a real question. It is clear that the ix3 has shown a fight.

Meet the new class

The name and design of IX3 reflect a pattern that we have seen more and more because companies recently: EV are normal. Grant, BMW has always followed the strategy of offering more or less the same models as it always has, only for electric versions. Yet IX3 really flies under the radar. It has a chopped look and wide, LED filled with headlights and rear headlights, but it’s clearly all-BMW and only the lack of exhaust pipes gives it electric.

IX3 is also considered nicer than the latest X3 gas, which is not entirely related. However, the size is almost identical.

It is a different story under the skin. This is the first car on the BMW Neue Klasse (New Class) platform-it is the first truly modern, from the EV with 800 V architecture. Here it means a zonal electrical system that you would find in Rivian, Tesla or many Chinese EV.

It is powered by four main computers of “Superbrain” that control various aspects of IX3, such as power and handling, automated driving help, overall software set and more. It is also designed for constant software updates.

BMW said that the design of this vehicle with zonal architecture – THT Big Thing in the design EV – cuts almost 2,000 feet of cabling vs. Conventional because it generally uses 20% less energy and saves good weight. This also means that it is cheaper for the production of BMW than the previous EV, which is ideal for achieving profitability with these cars.

The old way to do things that most branches are still married with include hundreds of small “electronic control units” scattered throughout the car, and commissioned with discrete functions – such as the operation of door locks or headlights. By using a smaller number of more powerful computers, they focus on zonal systems to streamline things and make it easier to update software.

The ix3 is also charged with more sustainable materials throughout the cab, the construction process and the entire supply chain, so after one year it ends with lower overall emissions than comparable car cars.

The power supply comes from the new cylindrical BMW battery cells that not only increase energy density for a larger range, but are also better for the environment than the current battery crop used by the automaker.

There are more variants on the Neue Klasse platform, including the I3 sedan, the cup and probably more early. In many ways that mix various IX3 technologies, they will inform about most future BMW cars, included its gas and hybrid.

Let’s talk about strength (and electricity)

But no one wants to drive a BMW that is not fun. On this queue, the new 108-Kilowatt hour (usable) IX3 battery with a double electric motor to lay 463 horsepower and 476 lb-FT in US specification.

This is good for a brisk 4.7 second run from zero to 60 mph. BMW tends to sandbag a little bit of a performance, so the real thing can be even faster. The rear -wheel drive version with one word will debut later.

It is estimated that an estimated 400 million BMW scope would put this car in a first -class company. Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, Tesla Model S, Mercedes-Benz EQS and several others will land in this category, but so far it is still an exclusive party.

IX3 charging statistics are possible even more. IX3 cans-fast charged with speeds of up to 400 kilowatts, binding clear gravity for what could be the highest speed in America. On the fast charger 800 V DC by ix3 should be able to go from 10% to 80% in just 21 minutes, or add about 230 miles in 10 minutes. In addition to gravity, these types of charging speeds and times put the IX3 in the same category as several other top newer EVs, including the Porsche Macan Electric.

In addition, it will be equipped with Tesla-Sexle North American charging standard (NACS) with native access to Tesla Supercharger. Yeah, and allegedly charging valves can detect where it is necessary to use it or not with artificial intelligence, and should open it automobile when you do it.

Interior and tech

This is just the tip of the technological glacier. IX3 not only uses a neat central display of 17.9 inches, but also despises the panoramic iDrive BMW. Using what the automaker calls its new BMW X operating system, this thin screen can be fully adapted to the pill column with the entire range of offers, icons and indicators.

In the cabin is good love for physical controls, especially on the grippy steering wheel, where buttons provide haptic feedback. Voice controls do a lot here, including windows, air conditioning, sitting comfort and car fun. And like any good luxury EV, IX3 includes an “intelligent digital companion” that learns your different preferences and suggests things based on the surroundings.

“If the driver does not respond to proactive challenges repeatedly or if individual proposals are often rejected, the intelligent system will take note of this and delay production in the future,” BMW said in a press release. I’m glad he listens.

I got a chance to try this software set in Germany before the debut for the car dep it and in the video you can see my impression. My reading: It is the software and settings of UX designed by people who really like car ride because they feel so much to prevent you from turning your eyes off the road.

2026 BMW IX3: Price and release date

Between reach, charging speed, sustainability and overall technology, IX3 seems to be powerhouse. And no doubt it is not as expensive as I expected. BMW North America said the ix3 50 xDrive, a double motor car, will start around $ 60,000. I thought it would be closer to $ 75,000 or $ 80,000, but this price would undermine in a gas -powered X3 M50 xDrive. It’s not bad.

So will it sell? BMW certainly brings this EV to the market at a difficult time. Here in America, tax credit EV disappears and while IX3 is made in Hungary, this loan would be useful for customers for Mary BMW leasing. However, if it comes to the price similar to the Powred X3 gas, it could convince some buyers to break up with gasoline.

Perhaps more importantly, BMW needs IX3 to offer increased competition from advanced Chinese ev. Their version is in development, said BMW officials, where its sale fell for a while. And now these Chinese brands will grab a market share in Europe. It is a harder competition than western car manufacturers may have ever seen.

We will see how it goes, but anyone who is still a fan of EV BMW should be something special. IX3 is sold in Europe at the end of this year and US supplies start in mid -2026.

Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com