Jake Groves<\/b><\/span> News Editor<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/FK_BMW_iX3-Studio-006.jpg” title_text=”FK_BMW_iX3-Studio-006″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”car-img-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] New face, new cabin tech and new engineering all land at the same time<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Billions in R&D. Clean-sheet design. Cutting-edge technology. Powertrain flexibility that\u2019s second to none\u2026 BMW has set itself an almighty roster of targets with its Neue Klasse strategy, designed to completely overhaul not just its model line-up but also its way of making cars, to ensure it\u2019s competitive in a fast-changing market.<\/p>\n The new iX3 is the first of a wave of new and updated models that\u2019ll benefit from these developments. It sets the tone for BMW\u2019s foreseeable future, so it had better be good. The fact it\u2019s priced from \u00a358,755 \u2013 around \u00a37k less than the previous-generation iX3 \u2013 is an excellent start. It will be followed by the new i3 \u2013 the Neue Klasse electric 3-series \u2013 next year.<\/p>\n If BMW\u2019s grand strategy sounds a bit familiar, that\u2019s because the original Neue Klasse project of the \u201960s had largely the same objectives. The difference is that back then BMW was in serious trouble \u2013 its identity unclear and profits elusive. Neue Klasse was a desperate Hail Mary, and it worked.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/FK_BMW_iX3-Studio-018.jpg” title_text=”FK_BMW_iX3-Studio-018″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”car-img-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] More affordable versions of the iX3 will follow in mid-2026<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Today BMW\u2019s in much better health. It\u2019s making these changes from a position of strength \u2013 because it wants to, as it readies itself for the future, not because the current product line-up isn\u2019t working. Far from it.<\/p>\n BMW\u2019s EVs are competitive in tech and efficiency, as well as being good to drive \u2013 traits many of its rivals lack. M division is always on hand when extra performance is required. Alpina, formerly a semi-independent maker of interesting variants of the BMW line-up, is now wholly owned and has been brought in-house, giving BMW a new route to the luxury market.<\/p>\n And while the Domagoj Dukec era of design has been polarising (he\u2019s moved to Rolls, with Max Missoni and Oliver Heilmer filling his shoes), it\u2019s successfully set BMW apart from its premium German rivals. The jarring designs haven\u2019t dented sales, either. <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/BMW_iX3_Display_frontal_v02_sRGB_14.jpg” title_text=”BMW_iX3_Display_frontal_v02_sRGB_14″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Despite all these positives, BMW has bet the house on doing a Neue Klasse all over again. No fewer than 40 new and revised models will benefit from Neue Klasse design, technology and powertrain developments between now and 2027, effectively overhauling almost all of BMW\u2019s model variants in a very short space of time.<\/p>\n Why take such a risk? \u2018I don\u2019t think it is a gamble,\u2019 retorts Joachim Post, board member for development. Post says it\u2019s more about ensuring BMW is ready for all future outcomes in terms of powertrain and tech, noting differing levels of electrification take-up around the world and its myriad geopolitical challenges.<\/p>\n \u2018The flexibility we will have in our architectures, that allows us to integrate all powertrains, is highly valuable at this time because we must deal with such uncertainty,\u2019 he says. \u2018Once we have that flexibility, it\u2019s not a risk; then we\u2019ll be very well positioned with our production, our facilities and in our factories. This segment \u2013 the X3 and the sedans \u2013 is core for BMW. Now is the right time to focus on that core with Neue Klasse.\u2019<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”car-pullquote-notac” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|800|||||||” text_font_size=”22px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||5px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] Design head Adrian van Hooydonk says this will \u2018define BMW\u2019s future to a large extent\u2019<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] While the new iX3\u2019s overall design is certainly striking, it won\u2019t be a complete shock to anyone who\u2019s been keeping an eye on Munich\u2019s recent concept cars. The i Vision Circular and i Vision Dee explored some outlandish possibilities, but they were followed by the more mainstream Vision Neue Klasse saloon and Vision Neue Klasse X SUV. This production iX3 adapts the latter for the road. Seen in the metal, it\u2019s much cleaner and simpler than recent BMW designs \u2013 with a face that\u2019s still distinctive without being entirely garish. Whether you like the look or not, you\u2019ll have to get used to it; design head Adrian van Hooydonk says the new design language \u2018marks the beginning of a whole new vehicle generation and will define BMW\u2019s future to a large extent\u2019.<\/p>\n Ditto with the interior; we\u2019ve seen aspects of it before, ensuring it\u2019s not quite as startling as it might be when seen as a whole. The new Panoramic iDrive interface involves a parallelogram central display and shallow fullwidth display at the base of the windscreen, removing the need for conventional driver\u2019s instruments.<\/p>\n The software behind it is BMW\u2019s Operating System X, which aims to be much simpler to use than the previous two generations. \u2018Speaking self-critically, it was quite a mess with all of the BMW apps and menus [in the older versions], and they were quite small; even when you were at a standstill you really needed to focus,\u2019 says Frederic Cohrssen, BMW\u2019s project manager for user interfaces. \u2018We\u2019ve cleaned this up.\u2019 <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/FK_BMW_iX3-Studio-007.jpg” title_text=”FK_BMW_iX3-Studio-007″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”car-img-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] Light replaces chrome; wheels are 70 per cent recycled<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Physical switches remain on the chunky steering wheel. \u2018We still have normal buttons in the car. Some features we didn\u2019t go digital on, based on numerous customer studies we did,\u2019 says Cohrssen. BMW executives confirm this interior set-up will find their way into all cars \u2013 everything from the 1-series to the X7 and beyond.<\/p>\n As will a lot of the powertrain and chassis engineering. Neue Klasse EVs benefit from BMW\u2019s sixth-generation electric motors, designed to reduce losses by around 40 per cent compared to the Gen5 motors. The iX3 xDrive 50 launch model has two, generating a total of 464bhp and 475lb ft, good for a 0-62mph launch in 4.9sec and a top speed of 130mph.<\/p>\n Those e-motors are powered by completely new battery and 800-volt architecture, designed with cylindrical cells that are energy dense and much easier to cool than pouch cells. BMW claims a 500-mile range from the 108kWh (usable) xDrive 50, and a 400kW charging peak via the most potent DC plugs. \u2018That\u2019s 40 per cent more energy than the previous iX3,\u2019 says powertrain development expert Manuel Kainz. <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/FK_BMW_iX3-Studio-024-1.jpg” title_text=”FK_BMW_iX3-Studio-024-1″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Neue Klasse EVs are compatible with older 400-volt chargers, and have vehicle-to-load, vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home capability built in, ensuring they\u2019re assets even when they\u2019re parked. Dynamics expert Christian Thalmeier says his team\u2019s ambition was to make the iX3 light-footed. \u2018But lightfooted is a very high aim, because this is still an electric vehicle, so it\u2019s heavier than a combustion car,\u2019 he says. \u2018But the car still has to be fun to drive.\u2019 We\u2019ve already driven a prototype, and the signs are positive.<\/p>\n The iX3\u2019s weight distribution \u2013 49 per cent front, 51 rear \u2013 helps with that, as does the \u2018Heart of Joy\u2019 supercomputer. Not only does it augment the driver\u2019s steering and brake inputs to ensure a smooth driving experience, but it also tailors the intrusiveness of the assistance systems via driver monitoring.<\/p>\n \u2018Because the system knows you\u2019re alert and looking at the road, you can change lanes without any blinker,\u2019 says Thalmeier. \u2018It means you don\u2019t have to deactivate the system and helps the car feel symbiotic.\u2019<\/p>\n Bold new design. Dramatic steps forward in technology and EV engineering. Driver assistance that won\u2019t aggravate and distract\u2026 Whether or not the Neue Klasse project is risky, the iX3 showcases plenty of reasons to think it\u2019s going to succeed.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#000000″ divider_weight=”3px” module_class=”divider-thin” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||5px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BMW has set itself an almighty roster of targets with its Neue Klasse strategy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":2683,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"kschwarz","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2677","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2677"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2677\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2815,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2677\/revisions\/2815"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/car\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}