After making its regional debut in Thailand and a brief silver screen cameo, BMW Group Malaysia has ushered in the new era with the launch of its first-ever Neue Klasse model, the 2026 BMW iX3 Neue Klasse.
This next-gen all-electric SUV arrives in a single 50 xDrive M Sport Pro guise, and is priced at RM378,800 on-the-road, or RM399,800 with the BMW Service & Repair Inclusive (BSRI) that adds a five-year warranty and service package.
This also means that Malaysians are paying less for the same car compared to our regional neighbours, where the iX3 50 xDrive M Sport (not the Pro) retails at THB 3.599 million (RM445,489) and Thailand, and IDR 2.269 billion (RM517,794) in Indonesia.
BMW Malaysia’s First Neue Klasse Model
As both BMW and BMW Group Malaysia’s first Neue Klasse-based model, the new iX3 marks a series of firsts for the Bavarian automaker, particularly in its powertrain and battery technology.
Underpinning the new 800-volt Neue Klasse architecture, the new iX3 can support up to 400 kW of DC fast charging that sees its large 108.7-kWh NMC battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in just 21 minutes. AC charging, on the other hand, is capped at 22 kW.
When fully charged, BMW claims the new iX3 is good for up to 805 km of WLTP range, almost doubling the maximum range figure of its predecessor.
In its sole 50 xDrive M Sport Pro, the Malaysian-spec iX3 is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain setup rated at 469 PS and 645 Nm, which BMW says is good enough to propel this two-tonne beast from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, en route to its 210 km/h V-max.
Another first-for-BMW present in this EV SUV is the new Heart of Joy control system that is responsible for the drivetrain, brakes, energy recuperation, and steering. Compared to other conventional control systems, this new setup can process information up to 10 times faster.
Sleek Neue Klasse Design with M Sport Pro Trim
Unlike our benevolent neighbours, the Malaysian-spec iX3 comes in a slightly sportier M Sport Pro trim as opposed to just the regular M Sport, which adds a series of sporty M-badged bits.
Key highlights include the M Sport Pro bodykit featuring M Black high-gloss diffuser, BMW Iconic Glow illuminated kidney grille with Glass 3D kidney Shadowline, 22-inch M Light alloy wheels Y-spoke style 1054 M Bicolour, and six exterior colour options—Alpine White, Black Sapphire, M Brooklyn Grey, Space Silver, Ocean Wave Blue, and Polarised Grey.
The interior, however, is only available in a single BMW M Interior Design in Black, and some M Sport bits primed here include the M Sport powered front seats with M seat belts, M headliner anthracite, M multifunction steering wheel, and many more.
Buyers will also get other tech amenities such as the new 43.3-inch Panoramic iDrive pillar-to-pillar 3D head-up display (HUD), a 17.9-inch infotainment screen powered by BMW Operating System X (OSX) with smartphone integration, a 13-speaker Harman Kardon HiFi system, a full panoramic sunroof, triple-zone A/C, and many more.
Given its large size, the new iX3 gets a pretty sizable 520-litre boot space that can be expanded to 1,750 litres, plus an extra 58-litre frunk space for added practicality.
