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BMW is offering a glimpse into the future of electric mobility with advanced prototype testing of its next-generation iX3, the first model in the innovative Neue Klasse series. Currently undergoing extensive evaluations in Miramas, southern France, the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) is set to make its world debut at the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich this September. Production will commence at the new BMW Group plant in Debrecen, Hungary, by the end of the year.
Key Highlights
- Electric Range and Charging: The BMW iX3 is projected to achieve a range of up to 800 km (WLTP). With its 400kW maximum charging capability, it can add over 350 km of range in just 10 minutes.
- Next-Gen Technology: The vehicle is built on the all-electric 6th generation powertrain (Gen6) and introduces the revolutionary BMW Panoramic iDrive display and operating system.
- Enhanced Driving Dynamics: Two “superbrains,” the Heart of Joy for vehicle dynamics and the Superbrain of Automated Driving for driver assistance, promise a driving experience that is both engaging and exceptionally safe.
- Smart Energy Solutions: The iX3 will feature extensive bidirectional charging capabilities, allowing it to function as a mobile power bank (Vehicle-to-Load), a home energy storage unit (Vehicle-to-Home), and a contributor to the energy grid (Vehicle-to-Grid).
Advanced Electric Powertrain
The core of the iX3’s performance is its Gen6 powertrain, a fundamentally new high-voltage battery concept. The system utilizes new BMW cylindrical battery cells, which have an energy density 20 percent greater than the prismatic cells used previously. These cells are integrated directly into the vehicle’s structure, enhancing efficiency and rigidity.
This efficient powertrain, combined with 800V technology, enables rapid charging and a long-distance range. The iX3 is the first model to benefit from this major leap forward, setting new standards in performance and efficiency that will eventually be rolled out across all BMW vehicle segments.
A Revolutionary User Experience
Inside the cabin, the BMW Panoramic iDrive redefines driver orientation with its “Hands on the Wheel, Eyes on the Road” philosophy. This new system, powered by BMW Operating System X, ensures intuitive operation through a combination of digital and physical controls.
Key features include:
- BMW Panoramic Vision: Projects information across the entire width of the windshield.
- 3D Head-Up Display: Shows navigation and automated driving information directly in the driver’s line of sight.
- Central Display: Features advanced matrix backlight technology for a crisp, clear view.
- Shy-Tech Multifunction Steering Wheel: Buttons remain hidden until needed and provide active haptic feedback for intuitive use without taking your eyes off the road.
Superior Driving Dynamics and Assistance
The driving experience is managed by the “Heart of Joy” computer, a central “superbrain” that controls the powertrain, brakes, and steering systems. It processes information ten times faster than previous systems, resulting in more precise and stable handling. This integration is so seamless that in 98 percent of deceleration cases, the vehicle can be brought to a stop using only recuperation, without applying the friction brakes.
Driver assistance is handled by a second high-performance computer, the “Superbrain of Automated Driving.” With a processing speed 20 times faster than before, it powers a new generation of automated driving and parking functions. Features like the Motorway & City Assistant help navigate complex urban environments, while functions like cooperative braking create a symbiotic and safe interaction between the driver and the vehicle’s technology. All innovations for the Neue Klasse are designed to be AI-based, smart, and compatible with over-the-air updates.
For more information on the BMW Group, visit www.press.bmwgroup.com and www.bmwgroup.com.
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