Of course, here is a comprehensive, SEO-optimized summary of the article about the new BMW iX3.
BMW has officially unveiled the first vehicle built on its next-generation „Neue Klasse” platform, the iX3, marking a pivotal moment in the 109-year-old automaker’s history. Debuting at the Munich auto show, the iX3 represents BMW’s strategic reinvention as a software-focused automaker and its direct challenge to the rising dominance of Chinese EV manufacturers. As the spearhead of this new era, the iX3 will be the first of over 40 Neue Klasse models launched within the next two years, fundamentally changing how BMW designs, builds, and sells its vehicles. This sports activity vehicle (SAV) is positioned as the „ultimate driving machine” for the electric age, combining cutting-edge technology with a future-proof, software-defined architecture.
The iX3 boasts groundbreaking specifications that place it in the top tier of current EVs. It is BMW’s first EV built on an 800-volt architecture, enabling ultra-fast charging at up to 400kW—adding an estimated 230 miles of range in just 10 minutes. It also debuts BMW’s new, in-house Gen6 cylindrical battery cells, which promise 30% more range, 30% faster charging, and a 50% reduction in production costs. BMW estimates the iX3 will achieve over 400 miles of EPA range. The initial model, the iX3 50 xDrive, features all-wheel drive with 463 horsepower and will arrive in US dealerships by mid-2026 with a starting price of $60,000.
A core innovation in the iX3 is its advanced computing power, centered around one of the Neue Klasse’s four „superbrains” called the „Heart of Joy.” This central computer consolidates functions typically handled by numerous separate processors, promising a more responsive and exhilarating driving experience. The digital cockpit, the Panoramic iDrive, runs on BMW’s Android-based Operating System X and is complemented by physical knobs and buttons for key controls to minimize driver distraction. As a true software-defined vehicle, the iX3 will receive over-the-air updates to enhance features like its automated interior lighting and charging port. It also fully supports digital keys via smartphones and smartwatches, alongside wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In a notable design shift, the iX3 features a slimmer, more vertical interpretation of BMW’s signature kidney grille, replacing the aggressive styling of previous EVs with a sophisticated new „horizontal lightning” design. In terms of size, it is comparable to an i4 but taller and wider. The launch of the iX3 is critical for BMW as it competes in an increasingly crowded luxury EV market against rivals like Tesla, Mercedes, and a new wave of Chinese automakers. By delivering a compelling combination of long range, rapid charging, powerful performance, and sophisticated software, the iX3 is BMW’s flagship argument for why it remains the ultimate choice for electric driving.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.theverge.com/news/770351/bmw-ix3-neue-klasse-ev-range-specs-price.