In line with Chinese language media, BMW has formally launched photographs of the iX3 Lengthy Wheelbase forward of its world premiere at Auto China 2026 in Beijing this April. Chinese language market gross sales are set for the second half of the yr. Domestically badged because the iX3 50L and carrying “Brilliance BMW” badges, that is the primary long-wheelbase all-electric Sports activities Exercise Car on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, and doubtless essentially the most China-specific product the model has ever constructed. It’s developed and made by the BMW Brilliance Automotive three way partnership on the Shenyang plant in Liaoning province.
A wheelbase that places it in X5 territory
The data coming from China says that the wheelbase stretches to three,005 mm, up 108 mm from the usual iX3, with each millimeter of that going to rear-seat legroom. Total: 4,885 mm lengthy, 1,895 mm huge, 1,635 mm tall. The quantity price being attentive to: the iX3 LWB has a 30 mm longer wheelbase than the combustion X3 LWB and matches the present X5.
Totally different Door Handles
It sounds minor till you hear the backstory. China now restricts flush electronically-controlled-only door handles after incidents the place crash victims couldn’t exit as a result of energy to the doorways failed. So the iX3 LWB will get a semi-enclosed rear deal with design as an alternative of the retractable flush items on the worldwide mannequin, mixed with a triple-redundancy door entry system: high-voltage battery provide, a 12V battery backup, and a mechanical failsafe.
GB 48001-2026, the brand new commonplace overlaying this, takes impact January 1, 2027. BMW engineered the iX3 LWB to fulfill it from the beginning quite than retrofit it later, which makes it one of many first Western-brand automobiles to take action.
Powertrain: Similar as the worldwide iX3 50 xDrive
The iX3 LWB makes use of the identical powertrain as the worldwide iX3 50 xDrive. A 108 kWh battery paired with a entrance asynchronous motor and a rear excited synchronous motor places out 345 kW (463 hp) and 645 Nm. Zero to 100 km/h takes 4.9 seconds. The 800V structure helps peak DC charging at 400 kW, sufficient so as to add 427 km (265 miles) of vary in about 10 minutes; a 10-to-80 p.c cost takes roughly 21 minutes. BMW charges vary at over 900 km (559 miles) on the Chinese language CLTC cycle. CLTC runs optimistically in comparison with WLTP — for context, the worldwide iX3 50 xDrive will get 805 km on WLTP and an estimated 644 km on the EPA cycle.
Software program: 70% developed in China
That is the place the iX3 LWB and the worldwide mannequin actually half methods. Round 70 p.c of the software program in BMW Working System X was engineered in China. The companion record covers many of the native tech panorama: Alibaba and DeepSeek deal with the LLM powering the voice assistant; Amap provides 3D navigation tuned to China’s advanced interchange layouts; Huawei gives HarmonyOS Subsequent integration, HiCar connectivity, and Digital Key. For driver help, BMW co-developed a full-scene navigation system with Momenta, an autonomous driving startup, overlaying freeway and concrete situations by way of its Flywheel end-to-end mannequin.
Variations in Design
There are additionally different China-specific options. Rear passengers get a panoramic sunroof, deeper seatback recline, adjustable thigh assist, and wi-fi charging within the armrest. The automobile is clearly constructed for the particular person sitting behind the driving force.
The iX3 LWB principally carries over the design of the worldwide mannequin. However there’s one apparent change: a brand new central rear digital camera sits within the segmented roof spoiler. 9 colours can be found, together with Frozen House Silver.
Manufacturing and rollout
The BMW iX3 50L xDrive begins manufacturing at Shenyang in June 2026. The iX3 30L and 40L xDrive variants observe in September. An M Efficiency model, the M60L xDrive, is anticipated by mid-2027. Pricing hasn’t been introduced but; BMW says that comes nearer to launch.
After China, BMW plans to promote the iX3 LWB in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India. That is one in every of greater than 20 new automobiles BMW is bringing to China in 2026, a part of a broader effort to get well floor misplaced to home EV manufacturers over the previous couple of years.
[Source: CarNewsChina]
