Traditionalists would argue that there is no room for an SUV on the racetrack. Race tracks are usually designed for light vehicles, which is certainly not the case with the iX3. At 2,285 kilograms (5,037 pounds) in European specification, BMW’s first modern Neue Klasse is anything but a featherweight.
Nevertheless, the German luxury brand is confident that it has built a vehicle that is fun to drive despite the mass. Initial feedback from journalists, including us at BMWBLOG, suggests that this is the company’s most attractive electric vehicle to date, even without adaptive suspension at launch. How is that possible? BMW refers to the Heart of Joy, one of four “masterminds” in the new electronics architecture.
To put it simply, it is a control unit that is responsible for the sub-functions of drive, brake and steering. It also manages energy recovery and, more importantly, processes information ten times faster than a previous generation ECU. Combined with in-house software tuned for seamless coordination, the iX3 aims to raise the bar for dynamic driving among electric vehicles.
New images show the “NA5” at the Spanish Ascari race track, where BMW recently held the international media launch for the iX3. The second-generation electric SUV keeps things simple with Alpine White paint, but it’s not a base trim. We see the M Sport package and two-tone aerodynamic 21-inch wheels (1051 M).
Of course, driving dynamics purists will forego the iX3 and wait for the i3. The electric sedan, which debuts next year as the “NA0,” is said to be slightly lighter and have a significantly lower center of gravity. These are crucial characteristics that make it more powerful in the curves of a race track. And if you’re willing to wait until 2027, the electric M3 (“ZA0”) will be the real highlight.
It’s also worth noting that even the iX3 gets a full-fledged M version for those willing to trade a little sharpness for added practicality. We’d be even more interested in an i3 Touring with the BMW M magic touch, but that hasn’t been announced yet. An electric station wagon would achieve the balancing act between the agility of the sedan and the everyday versatility of the SUV.
Now all eyes are on the iX3. The first 50 xDrive variant shown here will be joined by a rear-wheel drive configuration in 2026. The single-engine variant will likely be called the iX3 40 when it launches in Europe late next year. A dual-motor 40 xDrive is also expected, both potentially with a smaller battery than the launch model’s 108.7 kWh pack.
Specs aside, this is the face of the new BMW. The design language will be transferred to most models in rapid succession. By the end of 2027, around 40 models will adopt the New Class concept. The change also continues in the interior: BMW is introducing the iDrive
The iX3 points to the future When the BMW leadership changed, Milan Nedeljković came on to replace Oliver Zipse.
