BMW selected one in every of Munich’s most prestigious backdrops to showcase its first Neue Klasse manufacturing mannequin. Max-Joseph Platz, house to the Bavarian State Opera, was remodeled into an open-air stage the place the brand new 2026 BMW iX3 50 xDrive took middle stage. The set up, a part of BMW’s “Open House,” was designed with some assist from Designworks as effectively and merged historic structure with futuristic automotive design. Beneath the altering mild and climate of late summer season in Munich, the iX3 was introduced in two standout finishes—House Silver and Ocean Wave Blue—captured in a photograph gallery that highlights the crossover’s clear surfaces and daring proportions.
The setting underscored BMW’s ambition for the Neue Klasse. The decreased, extra timeless design language launched by the Neue Klasse platform was on full show, with new retractable door handles, smoother surfacing, and an illuminated interpretation of the kidney grille. In House Silver, the sharp creases and sculpted traces mirrored the classical façades of the sq., whereas Ocean Wave Blue gave the automotive a extra emotional character, shifting tone relying on the angle of the solar or the bogus lighting used within the set up.
House Silver and Ocean Wave Blue Spotlight Neue Klasse Design
The iX3 comes with a diversified new colour palette. As BMW’s first Neue Klasse manufacturing mannequin, it represents a generational leap in know-how and design. It rides on the sixth era of BMW’s eDrive system, incorporating cylindrical-cell batteries with considerably increased power density. Within the iX3 50 xDrive, a 108-kWh usable battery is paired with twin motors for a mixed output of round 463 horsepower and 645 Newton-meters of torque. That’s sufficient to launch the SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in beneath 5 seconds. Vary is equally spectacular: BMW cites as much as 805 kilometers beneath the WLTP cycle, with U.S. EPA figures anticipated to settle round 400 miles. Charging is dealt with by an 800-volt system that helps as much as 400 kW of enter, permitting the battery to replenish from 10 to 80 % in roughly 21 minutes.
Contained in the Cabin: Panoramic Imaginative and prescient and Digital Minimalism
Inside, the Neue Klasse philosophy is simply as radical. The cabin is dominated by a 17.9-inch central touchscreen tilted towards the motive force, accompanied by BMW’s new Panoramic show, which spans the decrease windshield from pillar to pillar. Data could be distributed throughout the width of the glass, giving the motive force fast entry to navigation, velocity, and help techniques, whereas passengers can work together with leisure and related options. Bodily controls haven’t disappeared fully, however BMW has reimagined them: shy-tech buttons illuminate solely when lively, and the middle console retains a pared-down set of necessities.
New Colours Coming Later As Effectively
Shade and trim choices play an enormous position in shaping the brand new iX3’s character. Alongside House Silver and Ocean Wave Blue, consumers could have entry to Alpine White, Sapphire Black, Polarized Gray, and M Brooklyn Gray at launch. Hearth Pink, referred to as Vegas Pink within the U.S., will be a part of the lineup within the spring of 2026. There’s additionally a Frozen Gray colour which we’ve seen behind the scenes and it’s incredible. The photographs taken in Munich additionally present the iX3 with the non-compulsory M Sport Package deal, which brings a extra aggressive diffuser.
Manufacturing of the brand new iX3 begins this November at BMW’s new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, the corporate’s first facility constructed particularly for Neue Klasse automobiles. Deliveries in Europe will kick off within the spring of 2026, adopted by the U.S. market in the summertime. China can even obtain a long-wheelbase variant constructed regionally (codename NA6), reflecting the mannequin’s international ambitions.
[Photos: @quirin_schoen]
