Our Bangkok International Motor Show 2026 (BIMS 2026) coverage continues with yet another regional debut, this time from BMW with their first-ever Neue Klasse-based model, the second-gen BMW iX3.
And just like its European counterpart, the NA5-gen iX3 comes in a single 50 xDrive M Sport guise for the Thai market, with prices starting from THB 3.599 million (RM432,022) onwards.
A Series of Firsts for BMW
Being House Bavaria’s first production model to feature its latest electric vehicle platform, the new iX3 marks a series of firsts for the automaker, and most of them resulted in some pretty promising figures for this EV SUV.
The single 50 xDrive M Sport variant features a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain setup that delivers a combined output of 469 PS and 645 Nm, 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.
What’s more impressive is the new 800-volt Neue Klasse electrical architecture it underpins, enabling a super fast 400 kW DC charging that sees the iX3’s 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 11 kW as standard, although there’s an optional 22 kW upgrade available for customers.
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.
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.
Design Benchmark for Future BMW EVs
As BMW’s first Neue Klasse-based model, the new iX3 stays largely true to its original concept twin, the BMW Neue Klasse X. As a result, this midsize EV SUV features a distinctive design that BMW Group head designer Adrian van Hooydonk said is supposed to be “a very modern interpretation of what BMW has always stood for.”
Some key design highlights include a smaller kidney grille design that is integrated with its twin LED headlights, an upright side profile with straight shoulder lines, pop-out door handles, thick D-pillars with the signature Hofmeister kink, slim horizontal LED taillights, a slew of gloss black accents, and 22-inch BMW Individual multi-spoke wheels shod in Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV tyres.
Dimension-wise, the new iX3 spans 4,783 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,636 mm tall with a 2,898 mm wheelbase, thus making it on par with the popular Tesla Model Y ‘Juniper.’ What’s more impressive is that despite its boxy and monolithic bodystyle, this EV SUV boasts an impressively low drag coefficient rate of 0.24 Cd.
Not to forget, buyers in Thailand can choose up to six exterior colourways for their new iX3, including Ocean Wave Blue metallic, Black Sapphire metallic, Polarised Grey metallic, Space Silver metallic, M Brooklyn Grey metallic, and Alpine White.
Inside, the new iX3 also debuts several firsts for the Bavarian automaker, and the new Panoramic iDrive pillar-to-pillar 3D head-up display (HUD) easily takes the crown as the most eye-catching one.
Equally important is the new BMW Operating System X (OSX), which is also in charge of powering the car’s main 17.9-inch infotainment display. Keen eyes will notice that the Thai-spec iX3 doesn’t get the quirky four-spoke steering wheel design we saw on the European version, where it instead settles for a more conventional M Sport steering wheel with floating haptic buttons for easier access to drivers.
Other key amenities primed in the cabin include the choice of either black or castanea upholstery options, a 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, triple-zone climate control with dedicated rear vents, a full panoramic glass roof, and a generous boot space measuring up to 1,750 litres with an extra 58-litre frunk space.
BMW’s First Neue Klasse EV, Now in Southeast Asia
To recap, the all-new, Neue Klasse-based 2026 BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport is now available for purchase in Thailand, with prices retailing from THB 3.599 million (RM432,022) onwards.
With the Land of Smiles already getting the taste of the Neue Klasse, it is safe to say that Malaysia would possibly be next on the list for the new iX3. Excited?
