BMW has introduced the iX3 40, a rear-wheel-drive variant of its Neue Klasse electric SUV, for the UK market. Priced from £53,250 OTR (approximately $70,300 USD), the new model slots below the iX3 50 xDrive and is scheduled for UK deliveries beginning summer 2026.
Highlights
- 320 hp rear-drive EV built on BMW’s Gen6 eDrive platform with full 800V architecture and up to 395 miles of WLTP range.
- 300 kW DC fast charging adds up to 186 miles of range in 10 minutes; 10–80% charge completes in 21 minutes.
- 82.6 kWh usable battery uses cylindrical lithium-ion cells with 20% greater energy density than the outgoing Gen5 prismatic cells.
- UK pricing starts at £53,250 (approximately $70,300 USD), with first deliveries expected in summer 2026.
Gen6 eDrive Powertrain
The iX3 40 uses BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, purpose-built for the Neue Klasse platform. An electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) integrated into the rear axle produces 320 hp and 500 Nm of torque. BMW says the iX3 40 accelerates from 0–62 mph in 5.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 124 mph.
All powertrain components are designed around an 800V electrical architecture. This represents a significant step up from the 400V systems used in BMW’s previous-generation EVs.
Battery and Charging
The high-voltage battery pack carries 82.6 kWh of usable energy. BMW has moved to cylindrical lithium-ion cells for the Neue Klasse, citing a 20% improvement in energy density over the prismatic cells in its Gen5 eDrive systems. The cells are integrated directly into the pack using a cell-to-pack design, and the battery itself serves as a structural element of the vehicle body via pack-to-open-body construction.
At a compatible 800V DC fast charger, the iX3 40 supports a maximum charging rate of 300 kW. A 10–80% charge takes approximately 21 minutes under those conditions. Standard AC charging runs at up to 11 kW, with an optional 22 kW AC Charging Professional package that reduces a full 0–100% charge to 4 hours and 15 minutes. The vehicle also supports bidirectional charging.
Software and Driver Assistance
BMW has equipped the iX3 40 with four high-performance computing modules that the company says deliver more than 20 times the processing power of previous-generation systems. The Heart of Joy control computer runs BMW’s in-house Dynamic Performance Control software, which the automaker claims responds ten times faster than prior systems.
A notable feature is the Soft Stop function. Using precise electric motor control, the system eliminates jerks and noise during the final phase of braking, which BMW describes as the smoothest stopping behavior in the brand’s history.
Panoramic iDrive and Alexa+ Integration
Inside, the iX3 40 features BMW Panoramic iDrive with the new Operating System X. The system combines touch, haptic, and voice-based inputs. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will receive an upgrade to Amazon Alexa+ AI technology, which uses a large language model for more conversational voice interactions.
However, Alexa+ availability will roll out gradually, starting with Germany and the United States. A specific UK availability date has not been confirmed. Standard equipment for the iX3 40 mirrors that of the higher-spec iX3 50 xDrive.
UK Pricing and Availability
The BMW iX3 40 is priced from £53,250 OTR (approximately $70,300 USD) in the UK. First deliveries are expected in summer 2026. All performance and range figures remain provisional pending final homologation.
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