BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric vehicle is here, and it’s already one of the most exciting new EVs to come out of Europe in the last two years.
First announced in 2023, the Neue Klasse (which is German for “New Class”) is a radical rethinking of BMW’s philosophy, with a new design language, a minimalist, digital-first interior, and promises of smarter technology, more vehicles, range, efficiency, and speed charging—coming soon, all the smarter things about electric vehicles.
The BMW IX3 is the first Neue Klasse car officially revealed, and it delivers on all of the above, at least on paper.
From the side, it almost looks like a regular BMW Family Hauler.
Credit: BMW
Somewhat oddly, it shares a name with the current BMW IX3, a pedestrian fairly electric SUV (or sports activity vehicle, as BMW calls it). And yes, the new BMW IX3 is still a midsize family hauler that runs on battery power, but it’s also miles ahead of its predecessor in most ways.
See also: EU faces legal action from Tesla, BMW over tariffs on Chinese-made EVs
The first model to hit stores—in spring 2026 in Europe, followed by a US launch in the summer—will be the BMW IX3 50 XDRIVE. It comes with a massive WLTP range of 679–805 kilometers (421–500 miles), thanks to a massive 108.7kW lithium-ion battery. The car supports 400kW charging at compatible charging stations, meaning it will charge from 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes.
The ix30 50 xDrive is powered by two electric motors, providing a maximum output of 469 horsepower, which should be enough to get it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). BMW says the drive technology it developed for the Neue Klasse reduces energy losses by 40 percent compared to its fifth-generation Edrive technology, which is part of the reason why the new ix3 has a combined electrical energy consumption of 17.9-15.1 kWh/100 km.
These taillights will be unmissable on the road.
Credit: BMW
While the exterior design isn’t a radical departure from some of BMW’s more recent models (yay for smaller “kidneys” in the front grille), the interior is a different story. The oddly shaped screen probably won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it’s certainly unlike anything we’ve seen inside other cars. The same goes for the panoramic view display that spans the entire length of the windshield, offering a quick glance at features like navigation, music, climate, and time.
It’s not just for show (pun intended). BMW’s new infotainment system, BMW Panoramic iDrive (based on the newly developed BMW X operating system) “brings together displays, geometry, and light and sound design into a holistic experience,” according to the company.
We need a name for the shape of the central screen.
Credit: BMW
Okay, now that we’re laughing, it seems BMW put a lot of thought into modernizing the infotainment system, ensuring you’re actually paying attention to the road. There’s also the optional BMW 3D Head-Up Display, and almost all of it can be controlled via the array of buttons on either side of the steering wheel.
The brains behind it are all new—all four of them, that is. BMW claims its Neue Klasse features four “super-brains.” One, called the Heart of Joy (BMW just likes to give things names), is responsible for the powertrain, braking, energy recovery, and steering. Another, which BMW claims has “20 times more processing power than conventional control units,” handles the car’s automated driving and parking functions.
As for the regular car stuff, suffice it to say that the BMW IX3 measures 4,782 millimeters long and has a respectable 520 liters in the back, alongside a small fruit that can hold 58 liters of cargo.
There’s no word on pricing for all of this, but it’s sure to make your eyes pop if you opt for the optional M Sport Package, M Package, or M Sport Package Pro. On the other hand, BMW says other, more affordable models will follow suit.
This model is a big deal for BMW. The company plans to implement some of its Neue Klasse Tech in 40 new models and model updates by 2027. It looks great from far, though it takes a closer look to see how well everything is put together.
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Electric Vehicle Cars
