Early adopters of BMW’s new iX3 will need a lot of patience. There is a significant gap between the debut of the electric SUV and the start of deliveries. We first saw the return of the New Class in September, but the first European deliveries are not expected until next spring. American customers will have to wait even longer as delivery of the “NA5” is scheduled for the summer.
In the meantime, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the iX3’s regional appearances. The last stop of BMW’s all-new electric vehicle was in Greece, where a high-end version was unveiled during the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship ATP 250. The iX3, painted in Ocean Wave Blue, caused a sensation at the Telekom Center Athens in the country’s capital.
BMW Greece has not yet released a full set of images, but it is obvious that the display vehicle was well equipped. It has the M Sport package and the only custom wheels available. Codenamed 1053 I, these 22-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels are crafted in a two-tone design that combines full and half spokes.
While most promotional images show the new iX3 with the illuminated grille contour activated, this is not the case here. It’s worth mentioning that the glowing kidneys are not standard. Maybe that’s for the best, because not everyone wants their car to attract so much attention. For those who don’t like the new grille, BMW is preparing an alternative design for non-SUV models. Next year, the i3 and 3 Series will lead the way. These sedans feature horizontally oriented kidney grilles that extend to the headlights. Both grille designs replace the traditional chrome accents with sleek LED elements.
Given the importance of the iX3 and the Neue Klasse for BMW, Munich decided that now was the perfect time to subtly refresh its corporate identity. The iconic roundel remains immediately recognizable, but has been given a slightly flatter look. However, you only notice the subtle revisions to the blue and white emblem up close.
Another visible detail of the show car is the panoramic glass roof, which contrasts nicely with the blue exterior. This is one of the many options available for the iX3 and includes solar energy filtration and full UV protection. It will be interesting to see if China’s long-wheelbase iX3 (“NA6”), due out next year, gets an even larger glass panel.
Outside China, iX3 production will initially be limited to the new BMW factory in Debrecen, Hungary. From 2027, production at the San Luis Potosí plant will be expanded to Mexico, where the 2 Series Coupé/M2 and the 3 Series Sedan are currently being built.
