BMW has unveiled the all-new, second-generation BMW iX3 at the 2025 Munich IAA Motor Show, and it seems the designers in Munich have finally heard the complaints: the kidney grilles are getting smaller.
That’s right, on the all-new iX3, BMW has shrunk the kidney grille as part of its new Neue Klasse design philosophy. This new design is reminiscent of the 1965 BMW 2000, which was, fittingly, the original “Neue Klasse” (New Class).
With a design that is almost identical to the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept, the all-new iX3 looks like it drove straight out of a classic sci-fi movie. A key design touch here are the headlights that are integrated and illuminated directly within the front grille, creating the illusion of an infinity effect.
The rear receives a similar treatment with vertically aligned LED taillights. This clean design results in a slippery drag coefficient of just 0.24 Cd. Love it or hate it, this new Neue Klasse design language is here to stay, and it will be the face of all upcoming BMW models released in the near future.
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Inside, the second-generation BMW iX3 is as futuristic as its exterior. The new interior is dominated by BMW Panoramic Vision, which is essentially a gigantic heads-up display (HUD) projected onto the lower section of the windscreen. Information appears on a specially coated black surface that spans across the entire cowl area, making it visible to all occupants.
If that isn’t enough, BMW will also offer an optional 3D HUD that projects information in the driver’s direct line of sight, appearing above the Panoramic Vision panel. This is accompanied by a 17.9-inch central information display, which is quirkily designed to be a slanted parallelogram, somewhat resembling the BMW M emblem.
The steering wheel in the all-new BMW iX3 is also unique. At first glance, the centre part appears to be floating, completely disconnected from the rim. Technology isn’t quite advanced enough yet for a truly floating steering wheel, though, so the designers have to settle for a clever design illusion.
The wheel is actually connected by several spokes at the 12- and 6-o’ clock position. We can’t quite decide if this makes it a two-spoke or a four-spoke design, so we’ll let you be the judge.
The steering wheel also integrates what BMW calls its “shy-tech approach.” In BMW-speak, this refers to the haptic, touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel, with ADAS functions located on the left side and infotainment and communication controls on the right.
BMW is definitely not shy when it comes to naming, though, as the all-new iX3’s internal systems are underpinned by what BMW actually calls “Super-Brains.” This is a set of four in-house-developed control units that are combined to create a single high-performance computer, which the German marque claims to have 20 times more processing power than current-generation vehicles.
Underneath the skin of the all-new BMW iX3, in the iX3 50 xDrive launch configuration, sees a dual-motor setup providing 469 hp (345 kW) and 645 Nm. This enables 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210 km/h.
This powertrain is built on an 800V architecture and features a 108.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, enabling a range of up to 805 km (WLTP). Charging is supported by 11 kW AC as standard. With the optional 22 kW AC charger, a full charge takes 5 hours and 45 minutes. For DC fast charging, the iX3 can support up to 400 kW, which enables a 10-80% top-up in 21 minutes and allows the car to regain 372 km of range in just 10 minutes.
The BMW iX3 50 xDrive will be built at BMW’s new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, with the first units scheduled to roll off the production line in autumn 2025. Further pure EV variants will follow, including an entry-level model. The market launch of the new BMW iX3 will begin in Europe in spring 2026, followed by the US in summer 2026. A variant specifically developed for Mainland China will also debut starting in summer 2026.
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