In 2020, during the Coronavirus pandemic, BMW decided to bring the new class back. The Board of Directors approved the largest investment in the company’s history. We will start seeing the fruits of the work at the beginning of September. The second-generation IX3 ready for production will break cover at the IAA mobility show in Munich. The i3 will come onto the market in 2026.
In the meantime, BMW is showing prototypes of the two electric vehicles for the first time. The EVs were subjected to hot weather tests in South Africa and hid what looks like the final physical boards. The IX3 may also have the headlights and taillights ready to produce, while the i3 probably had a temporary setup.
The Elektro duo uses a new design language for BMW, a fresh styling approach that is accepted by all cars. Yes, this includes models that are driven by combustion engines. At least four additional EVs of the new class line -up will come onto the market by 2028. The Bavarian brand is not ready to reveal your identity. However, look for an i3 touring and an IX4. In the meantime, over 40 new cars will be launched on the market by the end of 2027.
Under the new skin, IX3 and i3 will be the first users of the gene6 batteries of the BMW group. The cylindrical cells enable 30% faster loading processes, 20% higher energy density and 30% larger reach than the prismatic batteries of Gen5. Afterwards, all models from BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce will finally apply the new battery technology. The engineers have also developed new, more efficient electric motors that lose weight. There will be cars with one, two, three and even four engines. The German luxury brand excludes front applications in the new class era.
But wait even better. NK cars support an 800-volt electro architecture and enable ultra-fast charging. In an ideal scenario, sewing the battery enables 186 miles (300 kilometers) for 10 minutes. Vehicles such as IX3 and i3 also support bidirectional loads and transform the cars into electricity banks. In the case of the crossover, the total efficiency will increase by 20% compared to the outgoing Clar-based model. This will be possible by optimizing the body, installing aero wheels and growing new EV-specific brakes.
There is probably still a lot that we know about the new class, but we are confident that BMW will gradually publish further details when the world premiere of the IX3 is approaching.
