► New 2025 BMW iX3 spied
► The first BMW Neue Klasse
► Factory begins production
BMW released prototype pictures of its forthcoming iX3 SUV last month, but now we’ve got some significantly more illuminating spy shots to go with them. Our spy photographers snapped a near-production prototype of BMW’s electric SUV testing – and these new pictures reveal much more about the controversial styling of the first of the Neue Klasse cars.
Look at the picture above and you’ll see that BMW really is moving forward with its radical front end redesign. Like the concept, the prototype shown has sharp, incisive headlights and Munich’s kidney grille has shrunk to a nostalgic, conventional size. We’ve not seen a BMW grille get smaller in quite some time.
Look to the rear and you’ll see the same minimalist rear lights as seen on more contemporary BMW models. The iX3 is coming next year, but it looks as though the i3 saloon that’ll follow it uses an identical design language.
Neue Klasse? What’s that?
The Neue Klasse moniker covers a major new EV platform initiative from BMW, an architecture that will cover the majority of electric BMWs launched in the second half of this decade. It will not be compatible with combustion engines or hybrids – this one really is born electric. And first up is the new mid-sized e-SUV, due to be badged iX3, with the new BMW i3 saloon set to follow swiftly after.
The new 2026 BMW iX3: what to expect
The NK matrix is highly modular and allows for front-, rear- and all-wheel drive, packaged in different wheelbases and track widths, ride heights and wheel sizes ranging from 18in to 22in.
The mid-sized platform is codenamed NA and CAR’s sources suggest that the iX3 badge will be reserved for this 3-series crossover spin-off. Expect the following derivatives:
- iX3 40
- iX3 40 xDrive
- iX3 50 xDrive
- iX3 M60 xDrive
- iX3 M
‘The Neue Klasse represents the beginning of a new phase of operations for BMW,’ said research and development chief Frank Weber. ‘It’s scaled to allow us to build electric cars from a 2 Series-sized saloon up to an X7-sized SUV.’
Electric motors, batteries and specs
There’s a host of tech treats in store for the Neue Klasse, all aimed at making the iX3 longer of range and quicker of charge. The powertrain operates an 800-volt electrical system and the latest round LFP and NMC batteries that our sources suggest come in two sizes: 4695 and 46120. Expect better packaging than today’s electric BMWs.
Nerdy detail, but this kind of tech makes a difference to battery performance and ultimately how far you can go on one charge. Thanks to vented bottoms and a sandwich cooling system, they promise superior thermal wellbeing. The cells will be supplied to BMW specification by CATL, EDE and Northvolt from six plants in Europe, China and the US/Mexico and customers can pick 75, 90 and 105kWh battery sizes.
Result? Thanks to a new electrical system and advanced performance electronics, it takes less than 12 minutes to bunker enough energy for the next 200 miles, using charging rates up to 270kW. The new BMW iX3 is expected to be one of the first BMWs where range anxiety takes a back seat.
I’m sold! When can I actually buy the new BMW iX3?
While production in the brand-new iFactory in Debrecen, Hungary, has now fundamentally is started, almost one more year will likely pass before the first full production cars arrive at dealerships. While the VW Group is contemplating factory closures, BMW is bringing a new one up to speed. It describes Debrecen as reaching ‘first gear’ at this point, with these latest iX3 test vehicles following the full production process. Freshly built examples are now leaving the line ‘everyday’ and are being used to check the procedures in the plant ahead of series production in 2025 as well provide the evaluation necessary for this new electric SUV.
Debrecen is worth a little further thought before we move onto the vehicle itself, as it’s set to be the first ground-up example of a BMW iFactory. As such it has a greater emphasis on efficiency and environmental friendliness, and makes use of a ‘digitised production process’. Even the building of the plant itself has been considered from an environmental perspective.
It’s telling that BMW Is launching the crossover first: expect i3x in showrooms in autumn 2025, a full year ahead of the three-box 3-series saloon – the car more closely presaged by the Vision Neue Klasse notchback design study (above).
And what of the iX3 design? Head of BMW design Domagoj Dukec told CAR the SUV bodystyle was perfectly synced with the new family look. ‘Our customers buy the brand first, but then they look to match their own conditions. They might say: “I don’t want to sit too low.” Many think BMW is a sporty brand, but there are different perspectives on sportiness.’