BMW will unveil the iX3 Long Wheelbase at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, marking the first long-wheelbase all-electric SAV built on the automaker’s Neue Klasse architecture. Developed specifically for China, the vehicle enters production in the second half of 2026 and will expand to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India.
Highlights
- 800-volt architecture enables 400 kW charging, adding 400+ km of range in approximately 10 minutes
- CLTC combined range exceeds 900 km using sixth-generation eDrive technology with cylindrical battery cells
- Wheelbase extended 108 mm over standard model for enhanced rear-seat space
- China-specific ADAS software developed with Momenta for urban, highway, and long-distance driving
Neue Klasse Architecture and eDrive Technology
The iX3 Long Wheelbase represents BMW’s first application of Neue Klasse in a long-wheelbase configuration. The platform incorporates sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology, cylindrical battery cells, and the in-house-developed BMW Energy Master system.
Charging from 10 to 80 percent takes approximately 21 minutes. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality allows external devices to draw power directly from the vehicle battery.
Chassis and Vehicle Dynamics
BMW developed a China-specific chassis and suspension setup to balance comfort and stability across urban and highway driving conditions. The 108 mm wheelbase extension improves rear-seat accommodation without compromising agility or steering precision.
The Heart of Joy control unit and BMW Dynamic Performance Control software stack coordinate powertrain, braking, energy recuperation, and steering in real time. BMW claims the system’s Soft Stop function delivers the smoothest braking behavior of any BMW to date.
BMW Panoramic iDrive and Software Localization
The iX3 Long Wheelbase introduces BMW Panoramic iDrive, a human-machine interface built on BMW Operating System X. The system uses a “Visual Cone” layout combining:
- BMW Panoramic Vision head-up display
- 3D Head-Up Display
- Driver-oriented Central Display
- Multifunction steering wheel with illuminated controls and haptic feedback
Approximately 70 percent of the Chinese-market Operating System X software was developed locally. Navigation integration with Amap provides detailed intersection and highway ramp visualization.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant incorporates large language models from Alibaba and DeepSeek for voice interaction. Huawei integration includes Digital Key, HiCar, and the My BMW App based on HarmonyOS NEXT.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
BMW is developing a China-specific ADAS software stack in collaboration with Momenta. The system targets complex urban environments, highways, and long-distance travel scenarios common in the Chinese market.
Production and Market Availability
BMW Brilliance Automotive produces the iX3 Long Wheelbase in China. Following the Beijing Auto Show debut, the vehicle will launch in China before expanding to Southeast Asian and South Asian markets.
“Neue Klasse technologies developed in China are becoming an integral part of BMW’s global technology roadmap and brand DNA,” said Birgit Boehm, President and CEO of BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd.
For more information, visit www.bmwgroup.com.
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