BMW Group Romania hosted the local premiere of the new BMW iX3, marking the first public appearance of a Neue Klasse model in the country. The event took place in Bucharest, where journalists and invited guests got a closer look at the upcoming all-electric SUV. The iX3 is the first model based on BMW’s all-new Neue Klasse platform, the foundation for the brand’s next generation of electric vehicles. Production will begin in November 2025 at the new BMW factory in Debrecen, Hungary, before the SUV hits European markets in spring 2026.
First SUV in the new class
Unlike the previous iX3, which was based on the existing X3 body, the new version is a completely new electrical design. Known internally as NA5, it is the first SUV to use BMW’s new 800-volt architecture and sixth-generation eDrive technology. The twin-motor xDrive 50 version produces around 463 hp and 645 Nm of torque and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in around 4.9 seconds. The electricity comes from a 108 kWh battery with newly developed round cells with 20 percent higher energy density than before.
Charging performance is another major advance. The system supports 400 kW DC fast charging, enabling a 10-80% charge in about 21 minutes or an additional range of around 350 kilometers (217 miles) in ten minutes. The WLTP range is up to 800 km (497 miles), while the EPA value is expected to be around 400 miles (644 km).
The iX3 also supports bi-directional charging, meaning it can power home devices or even feed power back to the grid if compatible systems are available.
Design and dimensions
The new iX3 is slightly longer and wider, but lower than its predecessor: 4,782 mm long, 1,895 mm wide and 1,635 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,897 mm. The proportions give it a more athletic appearance and at the same time improve aerodynamics – the drag coefficient has fallen from 0.29 to 0.24. The design details are based on the language of BMW’s Neue Klasse, which was already presented in the Vision Neue Klasse X concept.
The kidney grille has been slimmed down and highlighted with light instead of chrome, while the headlights look more angular and technical. At the rear, thin horizontal taillights extend towards the wraparound, creating a distinctive new signature. Flush and retractable door handles, smooth surfaces and simplified contours reduce visual clutter and help the iX3 achieve better airflow efficiency.
Minimalist interior
Inside, the cabin is completely different from the current BMW layouts. There is no digital instrument cluster or rotary iDrive controller. Instead, a central 17.9-inch touchscreen controls almost all vehicle functions and runs BMW’s new X operating system. A second display called Panoramic Vision projects key driving information across the bottom of the windshield, stretching from A-pillar to A-pillar. An optional 3D head-up display provides multi-layered visual depth.
The steering wheel has “shy tech” controls – buttons that only light up when active – and the center console has a few physical switches for important functions like volume, drive mode and parking brake.
The Bucharest debut
At the event in Bucharest, BMW representatives emphasized that the new iX3 signals the start of a major product cycle. Attendees were able to see the car up close – its clean design, large panoramic screen and minimalist lighting – elements that will define the next wave of electric BMW models.
This local debut also highlights Romania’s growing role in BMW’s regional plans. With the Debrecen plant less than 50 kilometers from the border, markets such as Romania could be among the first in Eastern Europe to receive the New Class SUV once production ramps up. Some of the workforce at the Debrecen plant comes from nearby border towns, allowing BMW to draw on a bilingual – and in many cases trilingual – talent pool.
[Photos: Radu Chindris / BMW Romania]
