If you have an unquenchable thirst for BMW iX3 content, you’ve come to the right place. Fresh, exclusive images from Spain show the second-generation electric SUV in a high-end configuration. Whoever specified this “NA5” build didn’t hold back, as the vehicle is loaded with options. Since there are already online configurators in many markets, you can even create one yourself.
Finished in Space Silver, this iX3 rides on the optional 21-inch aerodynamic wheels with a two-tone finish and codenamed “1049”. The square front bumper is part of the M Sport package, and the panoramic sliding roof with glazing that offers 100% UV protection is also optional.
The real treat awaits you inside. The Castanea upholstery gives the cabin an upscale feel, even if it’s not real leather. In marketing jargon it is called Veganza, a material that is said to have “leather-like properties”. The M emblem on the steering wheel signals the improved design that we would definitely like over the standard wheel. This is an option here on the 50 xDrive, but should be standard on the M Performance version, the M60.
These new photos show how much the iX3 has evolved over its predecessor, which is based on the CLAR platform. The two have little in common, as even the BMW roundel has been redesigned with a flatter, sharper look. The revised badge is easy to miss at first glance. Some enthusiasts may lament the loss of the iDrive dial, but its absence is unlikely to deter buyers given the strong tech package.
Say what you will about BMW’s new design language and redesigned interior, but the iX3 looks like a concept car straight from the future. And that’s just the beginning. By the end of 2027, around 40 models will be equipped with the new design direction and the iDrive X infotainment system.
One of them will be a close relative of the iX3. The iX4, first spotted earlier this week, is all but confirmed for its debut next year. The coupe-style variant will join a larger family that also includes a long-wheelbase iX3 available exclusively in China.
If SUVs aren’t your thing, the sedan lives on in the New Class era. The i3 is scheduled to launch in 2026 with a new interpretation of the signature kidney grille. It will run horizontally instead of vertically and flow seamlessly into the headlights. More body styles are expected to follow, including an i3 Touring for station wagon enthusiasts.
It is unclear when a two-door model will become part of the Neue Klasse range. The Z4 and 8 series are on the way out, with no replacements planned. We may get an i4 coupe before the end of the decade, but nothing is official at this point. BMW is now focusing on large-volume products, starting with the iX3.
