BMW just dropped some big news in Munich yesterday, and it’s got the automotive world raving. In what might be the most pivotal model announcements in decades, the German carmaker presented its brand new Neue Klasse architecture and the very first series-produced BMW iX3 issuing from this platform.
This translates into a complete design, software, and technological overhaul where we will see entirely ‘new’ BMWs come 2026. The next-generation 3 series, already a cult favourite, in its electric iteration, will effectively be the flag bearer of the Neue Klasse platform.
BMW’s Chairman Oliver Zipse is calling the Neue Klasse “the biggest future project in terms of technology, drive experience, and design” for the company. For the history buffs, there’s a historical hat tip to the 1962 sedan, which went by the name of Neue Klasse. While we in India will have to wait until early 2027 to get behind the wheels of the iX3, we do know what we can expect from the fully electric SUV. Some delightful design cues herald the change - a visibly more minimalist silhouette (a relief for many purists who are polarised by the design language on BMW’s current lineup), vertical kidneys and twin headlights (retro allusions), cleaner surfaces and a changed on-road stance.
We also love the flush door handles and glass surfaces, while the tone-on-tone wheel arches make the side view a treat. The rear end of the car also sees a reinterpretation with L-shaped taillights.
At Robb Report, we love to scoop out the interior details and passenger experience, and here’s what we can report from the new iX3 - there’s a cleaner, modern, minimalist design in the cabin, albeit packed with technology.
We love the wraparound instrument panel that appears suspended at the front, fusing into the door frame, thereby highlighting the importance of smart design for an immersive driving experience.
The interiors have fabric panels, ambient lighting, a completely redesigned steering wheel, and minimalistic seats. The interior highlight, for us, is the new BMW Panoramic iDrive operating system that has a nifty user interface, mated to a high-end BMW HypersonX sound system, designed bespoke for this model. Underpinning the cabin technology experience are four high-performance computers, seen on the Neue Klasse for the first time and which the manufacturers are calling ‘superbrains’.
The launch variant of this e-SUV will be called 50 xDrive, powered by two electric motors pumping out 469 hp of power and a whopping 645 Nm of torque, promising a 0-100 kmph sprint in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 210 kmph.
The car is powered by a 108.7 kWh battery optimised for fast charging. A fast charger could add up to 372 km of range in ten minutes, the spec sheet claims, a game-changer in the electric charging scenario. And finally, this car also supports bidirectional charging, which enables it to be used as an energy source for your devices while on the move.
RR Verdict: We love the new design directions that BMW is taking with its Neue Klasse iX3, while retaining its connections to its storied heritage. Technology and design that are indeed smart and usable, going beyond tokenism, are much appreciated. The car is a looker, and the cabin is a standout. We also know that this Neue Klasse will be, in a staggered fashion, unveiled on 40 new models starting now until 2027.
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