BMW teamed up with Sipaboards to design an electric paddleboard.
The board includes a built-in 300-watt motor for assisted riding.
It offers up to 3.5 hours of battery-assisted water cruising time.
BMW is in the midst of a dramatic overhaul of its line-up, preparing to launch 40 new or heavily updated models over the next two years. Yet, even with that packed schedule, the Bavarian automaker has found time to collaborate with a Slovenian manufacturer of electric stand-up paddleboards, bringing its Neue Klasse design language to a completely different kind of mobility.
While we suspect only a tiny fraction of BMW owners have even the slightest interest in stand-up paddleboarding, the company probably saw its partnership with SipaBoards as an opportunity to extend its design influence beyond the road.
Known simply as the BMW x Sipaboards, the motorized paddleboard is fitted with a compact 300-watt electric motor and a specially developed propeller. It can reach speeds of up to 4 knots, or roughly 7.5 km/h.
This motor does more than just propel the board forward, which can be particularly useful when paddling into a headwind or against a current. It also inflates the board automatically, sparing riders the usual pre-launch workout.
The board, which measures 3.65 meters in length and 0.82 meters in width, weighs just 14.9 kg (32.8 lbs) with the motor and is capable of carrying two people.
Apparently, BMW Group Designworks used Neue Klasse influences when designing the board. However, this doesn’t mean the board has features like the newly-designed lights or signature kidney grilles. Instead, the Neue Klasse influence appears to be limited to the large X motif across the base of the board.
Each board comes with a lightweight carbon fiber paddle with a Bluetooth remote control built directly into it. This allows the rider to choose between different power levels, light effects, and haptic feedback. A smartphone application has also been developed and includes GPS tracking.
Range and Pricing
Initially, the board will be sold exclusively with a pair of 90 Wh battery modules that offer up to 3.5 hours of riding time. Next year, a version with two 180 Wh batteries will become available, allowing for rides lasting as long as seven hours.
The price for this Neue Klasse-inspired board? €3,990 (about $4,633). After all, it’s still a BMW product, so it’s priced like one, even if it trades the highway for open water.
BMW and Mercedes have released sales data for July-September.
Mercedes sold 441,500 cars, but deliveries were down 12 percent.
BMW sales rose 9 percent to 514,620, and by 25 percent in the US.
Rivals for decades, BMW and Mercedes largely fish in the same pool. But while one of the big German brands saw its catch rate tumble, the other is soon going to need a bigger boat, judging by sales figures released this week.
Mercedes shifted 441,500 cars in Q3 (plus 83,800 vans), a drop of 12 percent on the same quarter in 2024, while BMW moved 514,620 BMW-branded vehicles, representing a rise of 5.7 percent. Factor in the BMW Group’s other brands, including Rolls Royce, BMW M and Mini, and total sales hit 588,300, or 8.8 percent more than in Jul-Sep last year.
What’s really interesting is how differently the two brands performed in certain key markets. In the US for instance, which has been impacted by tariffs this year, it’s probably not a surprise to see that Mercedes sales dropped 17 percent to 70,800 units.
But turning that logic on its head, BMW actually grew its US sales by a whopping 24.9 percent in the same period to 297,247.
And even in China, where both brands – like many Western automakers – are having a tough time, Mercedes fared much worse. Benz sales sank by a shocking 27 percent but BMW escaped with an 11 percent drop. Still terrible, but much less so.
BMW vs Mercedes Sales Q3
Q3 25
Diff.
YTD 25
Diff.
Mercedes cars
441,500
-12%
1.34 million
-9%
Mercedes Group
525,300
-12%
1.6 million
-8%
BMW brand
514,620
5.7%
1.59 million
0.1%
BMW Group
588,300
8.8%
1.8 million
2.4%
SWIPE
The electric (and electrified) numbers deepen the divide. For Mercedes, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries flatlined. The company delivered 42,600 BEVs in Q3, essentially holding steady year-on-year as it battles cost pressures, tariff headwinds, and intensifying EV competition in China.
BMW’s story is more complicated. The BMW Group’s electrified portfolio (including BEV + PHEV) showed healthy growth overall, as it moved 151,282 electrified units in Q3, up 8 percent. But they were down 2.8 percent in the US. Full EV sales in that same period fell by 0.6 percent to 102,864 units globally, though they’re up 10 percent YTD.
Both automakers have some crucial new products coming through including the GLC with EQ Technology and iX3, so it’ll be fascinating to see how those cars impact next year’s numbers.
X7 gets a major redesign inspired by the iX3’s Neue Klasse styling.
Panoramic Vision tech adds a massive pillar-to-pillar digital display.
Gasoline and diesel engines stay, joined by the first all-electric iX7.
BMW’s largest crossover is set for its biggest makeover yet, bringing a heavy redesign that leans into the Neue Klasse school of design. Codenamed G67, the next X7 is also set to spawn an all-electric iX7 variant for the very first time.
Our spies behind the lens have snapped the new X7 testing out in the wild, but that hasn’t stopped us from decoding the camouflage to give you a sneak peek as to what Bavaria’s next luxury SUV will look like. Read on as we break down everything we’ve uncovered so far.
Controversially, the X7 retains its split-headlamp array, with the DRLs mounted high up against the hood line, whilst the main beams are repositioned into squarer units lower down. The redesigned twin kidneys remain equally as bold as before, but now feature lighting elements in place of chrome and the lower intake is more rectangular in shape.
Where the Neue Klasse aesthetic really takes hold is in the side profile, where the front and rear fenders, along with the smooth, flush surfacing, draw clear parallels to the recently revealed iX3.
Baldauf
Conventional door handles are gone, replaced by subtle ‘winglets’ that rise from the beltline in a style reminiscent of the Mustang Mach-E. The rear quarter glass is a pinch larger and has more of that traditional ‘Hofmeister kink’ than other recent BMWs.
The rear will retain the split tailgate, and the taillights will be slimmer LED units. M-performance variants will sport quad tailpipes, while the all-electric iX7 will have a different lower valance to reflect its petroleum-free powertrain.
Panoramic Vision
Inside, BMW will introduce its Panoramic iDrive infotainment system in the new X7: a pillar-to-pillar display at the base of the windshield with customizable sections for both core driver information and passenger entertainment.
This is accompanied by a 3D Head-Up Display and a large central touch display for key infotainment functions, though traditionalists ergonomics advocates alike may lament the removal of the physical iDrive rotary controller.
Other interior touches will likely follow the new iX3 in terms of cleaner surfacing and reduced clutter, but will use more glass inlays, atmospheric ambient lighting, and premium materials.
Improved driver assistance features include hands-off capabilities for motorway driving and City Assist with traffic light detection, which allows the car to stop and then resume movement automatically.
Platform and Powertrains
Underneath it all, the X7 will continue to use a heavily updated version of BMW’s CLAR architecture (Cluster Architecture). Expect adaptive air suspension with adaptive dampers, possibly including rear-axle steering and active anti-roll control.
Alongside petrol and diesel engines, there will be an electric iX7 variant for the first time. Using the iX3 as a guide, we can expect a dual-motor version pumping out 463 hp (345 kW).
SHProshots
If that’s not enough, a thumping 800-horsepower M70 is on the roster, alongside an even more powerful Alpina option. As our own Chris Chilton reports, the system will use an 800-volt architecture with a 110 kWh cylindrical-cell battery pack.
Expect the B58 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to continue, alongside the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 derived from the S68. The 40d xDrive inline-six diesel will also return for markets where oil-burners remain popular.
An official reveal is scheduled for sometime between late 2026 and early 2027, with production set to commence shortly thereafter. Both the X7 and the iX7 will be produced at BMW’s Spartanburg assembly plant in South Carolina.
What do you think of the X7’s Neue Klasse-inspired look? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
BMW is expected to unveil a new generation of the 3-Series sedan in 2026.
The Neue Klasse sedan will be available in ICE (3-Series) and EV (i3) derivatives.
Despite riding on different underpinnings, the models will look very similar.
Update: A lot has happened since we last looked at the future G50 3 Series. Thanks to new renderings, fresh intel, and the latest spy shots, we now have the clearest picture yet of how Munich’s defining sports sedan is set to evolve in its next generation.
Sedans may no longer dominate sales charts in an SUV-driven world, but the3-Series still has plenty of road left ahead of it. This compact executive four-door has been a pillar of BMW’s lineup for fifty years, valued as much for its reputation as for the way it drives.
The next chapter begins in 2026, when a new generation arrives in two distinct forms: the all-electric i3, codenamed NA0, and the traditional internal-combustion 3 Series, codenamed G50. If that sounds familiar, it’s because BMW’s been work-shopping this approach with their bigger sedans, the i5/5-Series and i7/7-Series.
The 3 Series and its EV sibling are now set to follow the same playbook, giving customers a choice between conventional gasoline power and fully electric performance.
Spied And Rendered
Illustrations Kelsonik / Kolesa
Recent spy shots of prototypes have revealed both gas-powered and fully electric versions of the next-gen 3-Series. While both share the “Neue Klasse” design language, the differences in proportions are telling.
The ICE testers feature a slightly longer hood, a sharper dash-to-axle ratio, and a more upright windshield. These elements combined make it look less like a complete EV-inspired redesign and more like an extensively reworked version of the current G20-generation BMW 3-Series.
These sightings have inspired digital artists Theottle and Kelsonic from Kolesa to create their own renderings of the next 3 Series, each offering an early glimpse of how the sedan’s styling might evolve.
BMW’s signature shark-nose design returns with a sharper, more athletic edge, framed by a fresh take on the kidney grilles. Slimmer and wider than on today’s models, the grilles now stretch across the front and now double as housing for sensors and tech that support advanced driver-assistance features. A deeper front bumper and lightly flared fenders complete the look, adding some muscle without drifting into excess.
Flush door handles bring the styling in line with BMW’s latest clean-surfaced aesthetic, while the greenhouse and Hofmeister kink stay intact.
The next generation of the BMW 3-Series sedan (Photos: SHProshots)
The BMW i3 Neue Klasse sedan.
Out back, heavy camouflage forces a little guesswork. Theottle’s rendering draws from the 2023 Vision Neue Klasse concept, with a full-width light bar and crisp LED signatures, while Kelsonic’s interpretation borrows slimmer light units reminiscent of the production iX3. Lower down, both envision sportier bumpers inspired by BMW’s M division, in line with prototypes wearing large alloys, upgraded brakes, and quad tailpipes.
Tech Blueprint From The iX3
While we have yet to get a glimpse of the 3-Series prototype’s interior during development testing, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect, largely thanks to the new iX3 that serves as the blueprint for BMW’s next generation of models.
At the center is the new Panoramic iDrive system that replaces the traditional instrument cluster with a wide digital display stretching across the full width of the dashboard. It places essentials like speed and electric range directly in the driver’s line of sight while allowing the rest of the information to be tailored to both driver and passenger. The screen itself is divided into three flexible sections, each configurable to suit individual preferences.
BMW will also offer an optional head-up display with animated guidance that counts down to the next turn. The setup is joined by a large, asymmetrically shaped infotainment touchscreen on the center console and a handful of physical switches for everyday functions.
Two Platforms, Two Paths
Unlike the i5/5-Series and i7/7-Series, where BMW paired EVs and ICE models on the same platform, the i3 and 3-Series are believed to head down different paths.
The all-electric i3 sedan will ride on the Neue Klasse architecture, shared with the upcoming iX3 SUV, while the combustion-powered 3-Series will reportedly stick to the CLAR platform, which also underpins the forthcoming G45 X3. This would explain the differences in proportions and styling details we see in the i3 and ICE 3-Series prototypes here.
Based on what we’ve seen with the mechanically related X3, the next-gen 3-Series will likely offer mild-hybrid upgrades of BMW’s proven 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter inline-six, with the latter forming the heart of the next M350. Both should see gains in efficiency and power over today’s units.
Interestingly, even the mighty M3 isn’t immune to electrification. However, as BMW officials told us in a recent trip, the next M3 will forego the heavy plug-in hybrid setup of the M5, instead opting for a lighter mild-hybrid system. This should provide outputs in excess of the current ratings of 473 hp, 503 hp, and 523 hp, depending on whether you’re looking at the standard car, the Competition, or the Competition xDrive, not to mention the inevitable special editions.
Meanwhile, for those following BMW’s EV push, a quad-motor all-electric counterpart to the M3, possibly called the iM3, is already under development. With over 700 horsepower and near instant torque, it promises tire-melting lunacy for the brave few. And there may be more to come, as BMW has hinted the setup could be pushed past 1,300 horsepower, though whether that kind of excess ever makes it to production in some form of a special edition is another story.
The downside is weight, and plenty of it, as spy shots suggest the electric M3 could be at least 465 kg (1,025 lbs) heavier than today’s car. Hardly surprising, then, if carbon-ceramic brakes show up on the options list, just as they do on the current M3 and M4.
When Will They Arrive?
The current G20-generation BMW 3-Series first graced the stage in 2018, with minor facelifts arriving in 2022 and 2024. BMW has already confirmed the electric i3 for next year, and while it hasn’t given a timeline for the ICE 3 Series, it will most likely be introduced in 2026 as a 2027 model year, with the actual market launch possibly slipping into 2027.
BMW replaces expired $7,500 federal EV credit with direct discount across lineup.
Offer includes 2.99% financing and up to $5,000 loyalty rewards on select EVs.
Incentives valid through October 31 for buyers using BMW Financial Services.
Federal EV tax credits may be gone, but automakers holding unsold electric models aren’t simply waiting for customers to arrive. Instead, they’re putting together their own incentives. BMW has stepped in with one of the most direct responses so far, offering a $7,500 purchase credit across its lineup, and in some ways the deal is more straightforward than the federal program ever was.
BMW says the incentive applies across its full EV lineup, from the $57,900 i4 to the $169,675 i7 M70. Unlike the now-defunct federal credit, this deal doesn’t hinge on income caps or complicated tax liability math; it’s a straight MSRP discount at the time of purchase.
More Than Just a Credit
The move makes BMW one of the first luxury brands to replace the credit in full, and it’s not stopping there. According to AutoBlog, buyers also get access to 2.99% financing for up to 60 months. Returning or “loyalty” customers can also get up to $5,000 extra, with the biggest rewards reserved for buyers of the equally big i7.
For some shoppers, that structure makes BMW’s plan more useful than the federal version ever was. The tax credit never helped customers who didn’t owe $7,500 in taxes, and it locked out high-income buyers and expensive models. BMW’s deal skips the fine print and extends the benefit to anyone financing through its system.
Following a Familiar Formula
While BMW stands out in the luxury field, it’s far from the first automaker to go down a similar road. Hyundai slashed sticker prices on the Ioniq 5 in recent days. General Motors and Ford both bought up a bunch of their own EV stock, obtained the federal EV credit before it ran out, and are passing it on to buyers.
BMW is just approaching the same problem with almost the exact same solution. These offers run through October 31 and, importantly, only apply to vehicles bought through BMW Financial Services.
BMW’s Z4 ends production next year, closing a chapter in its sports car history.
Executives hint a Neue Klasse roadster is feasible, though still unconfirmed.
Porsche’s struggles with the next-gen 718 reveal weak demand for sports EVs.
The end of BMW’s Z4 is on the horizon, and when production finally winds down next year, it will mark the departure of one of the brand’s most distinctive sports cars. The Z4 has never been a high-volume seller, but for buyers who wanted a stylish two-seater that mixed weekend fun with everyday usability, it carved out a loyal following.
What happens after that is less certain. BMW has yet to confirm whether a next-generation Z4 will ever reach production, though in a recent interview one of its top executives suggested the Neue Klasse era could still make room for a sports car.
Space in the Neue Klasse?
Joachim Post, board member for development at BMW, recently spoke with Australia’s Drive and was asked directly if the Neue Klasse platform can support a sports car. He responded by saying it’s “feasible.”
The current Z4 was born from a collaboration with Toyota that also produced the Supra, though the Neue Klasse platform presents an opportunity for BMW to go it alone. When pressed on whether this would be the case, Post avoided specifics, instead stressing the company’s modular development approach.
“The philosophy of BMW also has been in the past to… we say baukasten, and that means that we have communal parts for different types of cars and different segments,” he explained. “Electronic control units, for example, a battery cell, all the things are the same, but integrated into a different package. So for us at BMW, it’s always core to think in that way, how we can develop a component and we can scale it in every one of our cars.”
That’s why we can be so fast to [spread] this new technology [across the line-up] in two years, in 40 derivatives – that gives you the possibility to make scaling combinations to make that feasible to run, from a business case [perspective]. We will see what’s coming up for future.”
According to Post, this strategy is what enables BMW to roll out new technologies quickly. “That’s why we can be so fast to [spread] this new technology [across the line-up] in two years, in 40 derivatives – that gives you the possibility to make scaling combinations to make that feasible to run, from a business case [perspective]. We will see what’s coming up for future.”
Electric or ICE?
That last point is key and leads to the bigger question: if BMW does bring back the Z4, which powertrain makes more sense? Slotting in an existing battery pack and motors would be the straightforward option, yet as Porsche has discovered while shaping the next 718, appetite for electric sports cars is thin.
That reality points to internal combustion as the safer starting point, perhaps with an electric spin-off later. The snag is obvious, though: pouring that kind of money into a low-volume roadster is hardly the kind of business case that keeps accountants and shareholders smiling.
BMW will launch over 40 new or facelifted vehicles worldwide by the end of 2027.
Facelifts will focus on digital upgrades, not just styling tweaks or trim changes.
Refreshed models will adopt Panoramic iDrive and powerful computing tech.
After years of waiting, BMW’s Neue Klasse era is finally right around the corner. The second-generation iX3 is the first model to arrive, and soon, it’ll be followed up by the new i3, the all-electric version of the 3-Series. Not only does the Neue Klasse bring a new design language, but it also adds advanced new technologies that’ll be introduced across the rest of the BMW family.
By the end of 2027, more than 40 new or updated BMW models will arrive, all sharing the same core computing systems as the iX3. Many will also adopt the brand’s new Panoramic iDrive setup. The company is calling the iX3’s suite of tech features a “quantum leap” in its evolution.
A Faster Digital Future
“Every technology, everything on the iX3 is all-new,” BMW Neue Klasse boss Mike Reichelt said in an interview with Autocar. “We will roll out this technology across the whole portfolio, and fast. We have never done this before, but it is necessary when you look at the technology such as the computing power and the user interface. There have been so many big jumps.”
Reichelt emphasized that these leaps are too significant to be confined to just one generation. “The quantum leaps in technology in the Neue Klasse are so big that if we don’t integrate this technology in the current portfolio, it will feel like an old portfolio. With the Neue Klasse, we’ve made so much progress it’s like we skipped a model generation, so we have to do it across the range,” he added.
One of the biggest changes will be to BMW’s upcoming facelifted models. Ordinarily, the tech updates in a refreshed model are relatively minor, with the focus instead being on refining the aesthetics. However, Reichelt confirmed that its next generation of updated models will be much more complex than a traditional facelift.
“Traditionally we’ve had one mid-life update in a product cycle of seven to nine years, mostly design but a bit digital [too],” he said. “Today, every year we’re updating the digital side, so it’s really important to get that into the car. We won’t change the body structure [of existing models], but we will integrate the most relevant aspects of Neue Klasse: the design language, Panoramic iDrive, ADAS, all the digital things.”
BMW will launch 40 models by 2027 with next-gen software and electronics.
Key to the brand’s new models is its Heart of Joy high-performance control unit.
Software volume is quadrupled versus current BMWs, enabling faster updates.
The second-generation BMW iX3 arrives not just as a sharper, more capable successor to the original, but also as the first model in the Neue Klasse lineup, the range that will shape the brand’s direction for the next decade. At the heart of this shift is software. Munich stresses that the digital backbone of these cars will be central to their evolution, with the iX3 designed to receive up to three major updates every year.
BMW positions the Neue Klasse as a major technological leap, thanks in part to what it refers to as the “Heart of Joy”, a high-performance control unit that all future models will use. It works alongside the company’s proprietary Dynamic Performance Control software and controls all driving-related processes within milliseconds, including control of the wheels and the steering.
According to Munich, this technology delivers more than just numbers on a spec sheet. Christoph Grote, BMW’s senior vice president of electronics and software, told Automobilwoche that the iX3 feels light, precise, and even playful on the road.
“I hardly know a BMW driver who has gotten out of the New Class iX3 after a few laps on the handling course without a broad smile on their face,” he said. “It’s difficult to put into words. You have to experience it. The car handles very easily, almost playfully, and with unprecedented precision.”
Always Evolving
But BMW also points to long-term potential. Every electronic system in the Neue Klasse is designed to be updated over the air, ensuring the iX3 will gain new capabilities long after it leaves the factory. The same will apply to all of its future Neue Klasse models.
“Most competitors can only update the infotainment system, but we can update the entire car – all control units, the drive system, charging, ADAS… This is an essential capability for the Software Defined Vehicle,” Grote said.
“Compared to our current production vehicles, the software volume in the New Class vehicles is roughly quadrupled. So it’s great that we already have so much experience with over-the-air updates, and that in the future, the update installation in a BMW will also be completed in approximately 20 minutes – across all drive types.”
BMW’s next-generation electronic systems are slated to reach 40 models by the end of 2027, all of them benefiting from frequent updates.
“On the functional side, we’re constantly evolving for our customers. We plan to release three updates per year, which will also bring tangible, new features to customers,” Grote said when speaking about the iX3. “This allows us to keep the vehicles looking fresh for a very long time without having to physically intervene on the car itself. Our customers will experience many exciting innovations in the New Class vehicles over the coming years.”
Senior BMW executive told journalists combustion engines will never disappear.
Jochen Goller’s comments were later toned down by BMW’s press team.
BMW claims Goller referred to differing speeds at which markets develop.
We now know that combustion engines won’t completely disappear from automakers’ European lineups in 2035, as some previously feared, because some hybrids will live on. But according to one senior BMW suit, ICE hasn’t just been given a 10-year reprieve. It’s immortal.
“ICE and combustion engines will never disappear. Never!” So said Jochen Goller, BMW’s head of customer, brand and sales in a recent roundtable interview at the Munich Motor Show. This is the same show, remember, where BMW unveiled the electric iX3, the first of the Neue Klasse vehicles that will guide the brand forward for the next decade or more.
How Serious Was He?
Was Goller serious? He obviously didn’t mean that gasoline power will be around when cars can fly, but humans don’t need them because they’ve mastered teleportation (BMW’s pod will naturally deliver ultimate teleportation pleasure) and half of us are living on Mars. No one with half a brain believes that. But was he suggesting that combustion engines will still be around 40, 50, or 60 years from now?
BMW’s press team was quick to temper any excitement over Goller’s Braveheart-like pro-petrol stance. According to AMS magazine, a BMW spokesperson explained that the comments were made in a “humorous context. They added that the sales chief was trying to highlight that the take-up of new drive technology varies dramatically between different countries and regions.
Unfortunately for those of us in Europe and the US, that take-up is happening more quickly than in some other markets, even if in some cases it’s not happening as fast as automakers like BMW once hoped. Electric cars now account for a fifth of all new car sales in Europe, and though their share in the US is smaller, mass acceptance in America (and maybe regulatory change ensuring it) is still going to happen sooner than in India or some remote part of Africa or Asia.
The good news for us Westerners not keen on moving to Chad just so we can avoid buying an EV from our BMW dealer is that BMW seems committed to a multi-energy strategy worldwide, at least for a while yet. The company’s older CLAR platform is being updated to ensure combustion and hybrid options, like the new X7 seen in the spy shot below, live on alongside the Neue Klasse EV models.
A Multi-Platform Future
Autocar India, which first reported Goller’s comments, claims BMW will eventually have three platforms: the Neue Klasse for EVs, a new multi-energy version for hybrids (and presumably hydrogen), and a basic platform for entry-level ICE machines.
So will combustion engines never die? Of course they’ll die eventually, but with hybrid help, customer demand, and maybe e-fuels, they’ve got years left in the tank.
BMW plans to launch 40 models in 2 years with help from AI-driven tools.
AI cuts coding time drastically, completing tasks in minutes not days.
Development teams shrink to 1,000 people per car, boosting efficiency.
In recent years, Chinese carmakers have pushed boundaries not only with cutting-edge in-car tech and advanced powertrains but also with the blistering pace at which they bring new models to market. Yet according to BMW’s development director, Joachim Post, the German brand has now reached a point where it can move even faster than its rivals in China.
The brand’s Neue Klasse transformation is well underway. Not only is this new era bringing with it a radically different design philosophy, but newly launched EVs have a new platform, better motors, and more advanced batteries. As part of its overhaul, BMW is promising to release 40 new models and updates in the next two years.
Faster Than Fast
“Who can do that?,” Post asked while speaking with Handelsblatt. “Our colleagues in China can’t do that either. A single car can always be developed quite quickly. But that wasn’t the approach with the iX3 and the New Class. We have invested a lot of time and energy here to enable a major technology boost for the entire model range. Because we will only be successful if we integrate the technologies now developed into the entire model range.”
With that foundation laid, the pace is now accelerating. “We can now bring cars onto the market the way you bake pretzels, as they say in Bavaria,” Post said. “Nobody will imitate us so quickly what we plan to do in the next two years. And that’s why I say, what we’re doing now is more than China Speed.”
Earlier this month, Audi said it was going “China speed” with the next-generation TT, announcing that it will hit the market just 30 months after being signed off. Evidently, German manufacturers know they must cut development times if they want to keep up in a rapidly evolving market.
AI In The Workshop
According to Post, one of the reasons BMW will be able to launch more models faster than ever before is because of AI. He explained that the technology “helps us massively,” especially in coding and software development, where tasks that once filled an entire day can now be completed in minutes. Moving forward, development times could be slashed further.
It isn’t just about saving time. According to Post, far fewer people will be needed for each new car. “Only 1,000 people will work on a new car,” he predicted, compared with the significantly larger teams required in the past.
“We’ve needed significantly more manpower in the past,” he said. “Now we can leverage much greater efficiency potential. And AI is helping us massively in this regard, for example, with coding. We’re gaining incredible speed in software development, and with it, we’re gaining additional speed in the entire development process.
Knowledge That Stays
AI is also helping BMW retain valuable expertise. In the past, when an experienced engineer left the company, much of their know-how left with them. Now, Post explained, BMW can train AI systems to capture and preserve that knowledge, keeping it within the company and reducing the risk of competitors gaining an edge.
BMW’s first ever iX7 SUV has been spied testing in Germany.
The electric version of the next X7 is expected to debut in 2027.
It’ll get Neue Klasse design cues, but use older CLAR platform.
The 2026 iX3 unveiled at this month’s Munich Motor Show is just the first of several electric models BMW will drop in the next five years. And this biggest of them all is the new iX7, which our spy photo team has snapped on test maneuvers for the first time.
We published scoop images of the regular next-generation X7 a few months back, but that model’s quad exhausts left us in no doubt that we were looking at a combustion version, almost certainly powered by a hybrid-assisted 4.4-liter V8.
No Pipes, No Noise
But the prototype in these fresh images has no tailpipes or large transverse silencer beneath the rear bumper. And our photo guys say it remained near-silent even when the driver gave it a serious bootfull of throttle right in front of them, meaning it wasn’t a PHEV.
BMW has never offered electric iX versions of the X5 and X7 before, but that’s about to change. The iX5 is scheduled to arrive next year, with the iX7 arriving in 2027. Both will adopt the Neue Klasse design language already seen on the iX3 and coming to the all-new electric 3-Series within the next 12 months. But unlike those cars, the X5/iX5 and X7/iX7 will roll on updated versions of the older CLAR architecture found on the current X5 and X7 SUVs.
Shared Looks, Different Power
SH Proshots
Because petrol and electric versions of the G67-code X7 use the same platform, styling differences between the two are unlikely to be significant. And neither will fully embrace the Neue Klasse look by switching to a visor-style front end. Based on what we can see from the spy shots the next X7 retains both a large grille and the two-level lighting setup, reflecting the fact that its customer demographic is older and more conservative than the iX3’s.
But the iX7 will get some of the same clever infotainment and electrical hardware featured on its baby brother. BMW’s clever cylindrical battery cells are around 20 percent more energy-dense than conventional versions, and allow more driving range and – together with 800-volt electrics – shorter charge times. The iX3 is rated at 400 EPA miles (644 km) and it’s possible the iX7 could be equally suitable for long journeys with an even bigger battery measuring well over 110 kWh.
Horsepower with Headroom
The first iX3 to launch is the 50 xDrive, which delivers 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) from dual motors, but mid- and top-spec versions of the iX7 will need and get more muscle than that. We wouldn’t be surprised to see an M70 performance trim with over 800 hp (811 PS / 597 kW), while there’s also been talk about the iX7 getting an Alpina version too packing an extra 100 horsepower on top of that.
BMW quietly featured a mystery sedan on the iX3’s German product page.
Concept looks wider and sportier than the upcoming Neue Klasse i3 sedan.
No confirmation yet if this concept sedan will reach production status.
Is BMW preparing a completely new four-door sedan to expand its Neue Klasse family? The upcoming all-electric i3 sedan is already confirmed to join the lineup, following the second-generation iX3, but BMW’s own website now features something unexpected: a sporty Neue Klasse-inspired model that, unless we’re mistaken, has never appeared before.
This mystery car has been added to the German page for the new iX3 and serves to showcase some of the iX3’s driving assistance systems. The short clips, which are entirely animated, preview features like the radar cruise control, automatic sign recognition, and BMW’s new autonomous lane change function. It also shows how BMW’s Parking Assistant Professional system works, allowing vehicles to be pulled in and out of parking spaces using the BMW app.
The vehicle created to showcase these driving and parking assistance systems carries the Neue Klasse design language, yet it looks noticeably different from the new i3, seen both in repeated concept form and more recently, in camouflaged pre-production guise.
Up front it wears stylized kidney grilles paired with slim LED headlights, while along the sides the smooth surfacing is complemented by flush door handles. At the rear, narrow taillights complete the look, and overall the car appears wider and more substantial than the i3. Another noteworthy detail is the use of production-style exterior mirrors, a feature not typically seen on more far-fetched concept cars.
Digital Stand-In or Hidden Teaser?
These vehicles are typically referred to as computer-generated concepts, although it is a little weird that it went to the trouble of designing a new concept just for this purpose, rather than using the iX3 to showcase these autonomous functions. Then again, it might stem from an earlier development sketch of the upcoming i3, whether from the concepts that preceded it or as part of the design process for the production model.
Perhaps a New i4, or Maybe Nothing at All
Could a vehicle resembling this make it to production? There’s always a chance, especially if BMW is considering a successor to the i4 Gran Coupe, as the proportions and stance suggest it could serve as a sportier counterpart to the i3. On the other hand, the company may have no intention of adding another all-electric sedan to the Neue Klasse range, choosing instead to let this computer-generated design influence smaller styling elements across future models.
We’ve reached out to BMW and will update this story if we hear back. In the meantime, what’s your verdict on this concept? Would you want to see BMW put something like it into production?
Tesla’s brand loyalty has dropped significantly over the past year.
Many former EV owners are choosing gas and diesel alternatives.
Loyalty for Tesla now trails Ford but remains ahead of Chevrolet.
Not too long ago, legacy automakers were struggling to keep pace with Tesla, as more buyers left their gas-powered cars behind for the Californian brand’s electric line-up. Now the tide appears to be shifting. Fresh data shows Tesla’s brand loyalty has dropped noticeably, with a growing number of owners not only moving to rival marques but, in some cases, even leaving EVs behind altogether for diesel-powered trucks from the likes of Chevrolet and Ford.
The new study from S&P Global shows that in the second quarter of 2025, Tesla’s brand loyalty in the US dropped 9.4 percent from the year before, landing at 58.1 percent. That figure put the company behind Ford at 59.6 percent, though it stayed just ahead of Chevrolet at 58 percent, Toyota at 57.3 percent, Honda at 54.9 percent, and Mercedes-Benz at 54.2 percent.
Aging Line-Up and Image Issues
According to S&P Global, loyalty rates at Tesla started to fall earlier this year, due in part to its aging line-up and reliance on just two high-volume vehicles, the Model 3 and Model Y. Both have received updates, but their foundations trace back several years. With no fresh addition, buyers are increasingly tempted by rival brands offering broader choices. Additionally, the political leanings of head honcho Elon Musk continue to turn off many owners.
Analysts stress that Tesla’s drop is not simply a rejection of electric cars, but rather a reflection of buyers migrating to brands offering more diverse lineups and equipment choices. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota are among the biggest winners when Tesla’s sedan and SUV buyers defect, highlighting the brand’s limited variety.
Switching to Other Fuels, Including Diesels
From those walking away from Tesla, 68.9 percent chose another EV as their next vehicle in the first half of this year, down from a peak in the mid-70s during 2023. The remaining 31.1 percent switched fuel types, with 28.2 percent moving to hybrids and an unexpected 2.9 percent opting for diesel, an unusual move for former EV drivers.
Other interesting findings from the study show that when ex-Tesla owners moved to Chevrolet, 55 percent went back to gas, 37 percent chose another EV, and nearly 8 percent somehow landed in diesels, according to Autonews. The report doesn’t explain that last group, though it’s hard not to imagine many, if not all, being unhappy Cybertruck owners defecting to diesel-powered Chevy Silverados.
Tesla’s advantage over Ford has also shrunk, with its conquest ratio sliding to 1.9-1 from 2.4-1 a year earlier. Among defectors to Ford, half bought gasoline models, 29 percent stayed electric, 13 percent opted for hybrids, and 5 percent decided diesel was the answer. BMW doesn’t look much better for Tesla either: 47 percent of switchers there picked gas, 42 percent went electric, and 11 percent settled on hybrids.
EV Repeat Buyers Losing Momentum
Overall, loyalty to battery-electric vehicles has slipped to 58.7 percent in 2025, down from nearly 68 percent two years ago, pointing to a wider slowdown in repeat EV purchases. Traditional internal combustion models still hold the highest loyalty at around 84 percent, though that figure is gradually declining. Hybrids are gaining ground but continue to trail both ICE and BEVs.
In contrast, loyalty is strengthening among buyers of other electric marques. Fuel-type loyalty for non-Tesla EVs has climbed to 46.4 percent, up from roughly 45 percent in 2020, suggesting adopters outside the Tesla ecosystem are more committed to staying electric. Overall EV brand loyalty has also improved, rising to 43.5 percent compared with around 40 percent in 2021, buoyed by a wave of more competitive models.
Tesla Still Winning Over Many Buyers
Even with defections mounting, Tesla continues to attract a healthy share of conquests. In the second quarter, it won over about twice as many Chevrolet drivers as Chevrolet did Tesla drivers. That ratio, however, is down sharply from 4-1 it had been just a year ago.
The difference is even more stark when looking at BMW. Tesla’s conquest-to-defection ratio ratio against the German brand was around 9-1. Today, with BMW fielding a much broader range of electric models, that figure has fallen to just 1.5-1.
In contrast, loyalty is strengthening among buyers of other electric marques. Fuel-type loyalty for non-Tesla EVs has climbed to 46.4 percent, up from roughly 45 percent in 2020, suggesting adopters outside the Tesla ecosystem are more committed to staying electric. Overall EV brand loyalty has also improved, rising to 43.5 percent compared with around 40 percent in 2021, helped by a wave of more competitive and appealing models.
Preferences Over Price
One crucial detail stands out: price is not the driving factor. Data shows that most households moving away from Tesla are buying vehicles in the $60,000 to $75,000 range, indicating the trend has more to do with preference and product variety than with saving money.
“Tesla brand loyalty is still strong, but it’s no longer the default,” said S&P Global. “In a more competitive, more body style-rich EV market, even category leaders are being held to a higher standard.”
Germany’s big automakers used the Munich Motor Show to push new design ideas.
BMW’s iX3 is the first production Neue Klasse car and Mercedes reinvented its grille.
Audi rebooted the TT, while Volkswagen’s ID. family showed a newfound confidence.
The presence of Chinese automakers added some international flavor to this week’s Munich Motor Show, but in reality the event was more about familiar German brands and their new, and in some cases unfamiliar, faces.
All of the big German automakers were on hand with fresh concept cars and production models that showcased new stylistic directions. It feels like we’re at one of those moments where car design is changing across the industry for premium European brands after a period during which the big players have struggled to reinvent themselves and work out how to differentiate EV and combustion cars, or whether to even differentiate them at all. But have the Germans really rediscovered their design mojo?
Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink
Let’s start with BMW and the iX3, arguably the biggest story from the show because it’s about so much more than a new SUV. The iX3 is the first of the Neue Klasse cars and brings a fresh design language that will shape the brand’s entire lineup for the next decade, as well as a crucial new EV platform.
There was some murmuring here at Carscoops that the iX3’s profile deviated too far from Munich’s conventions, but overall this has to be viewed as a massive hit. BMW designs have mostly either been butt ugly or blandly handsome over the last 20 years, but finally here’s a fresh, modern-looking car with real presence, and one that brilliantly manages to riff on the classic face of old-timers without looking like a lazy retro rip-off.
Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink
To our eyes, the iX3’s key rival, the electric Mercedes GLC, is far less successful. The body looks flabby and dull next to the BMW’s and while we’re all for the three-pointed star marque borrowing some classic inspiration to put new energy into its famous grille, the light-up nose on the GLC, which will find its way onto other future models as well, looks like an afterthought here.
Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink
Audi’s Concept C looked far more confident. Previewing an electric TT successor that will share tech with the upcoming Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman EVs, it takes inspiration from both the TT and Auto Union’s 1930s Type C racers.
We’re reminded of the string of uber-strong Bauhaus-infused concept cars Audi delivered in the late 1990s and early 2000s, many of which made production, as well as Jaguar’s Type 00 concept, though we think Audi did a better job.
Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink
Volkswagen’s ID. Polo and Polo GTI, the near-production versions of the car we previously knew as the ID.2, looked less radical in comparison, but they still represent a shift in the automaker’s design that hearkens back to the solid shapes and surfaces that made some of the brand’s biggest sellers so enduring.
Think about how fresh the Mk4 Golf still looks almost 30 years after we first met it, or the Mk1 does more than 50 years after it debuted. That’s the kind of self-assured, non-faddy style the ID. Polo embraces, but at the same time the ID. Cross showed VW could also have some fun with the same design language.
Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink
And now it’s time for our question of the day: do you think the German automakers have got their design act together, or do some of them need to get back to the drawing board? And in the battle of the grilles, who did it best – BMW, Audi or Mercedes? Leave a comment below and let us know your opinions and the reasoning behind them.
As expected, the front end will be very similar to the Vision Neue Klasse concept.
BMW is ditching its controversial large kidney grilles in favor of far smaller units.
New-style LED lights will be a common theme of the upcoming Neue Klasse models.
Thanks to recent BMW concepts, as well as a series of detailed renderings, we have a good idea of what the next-generation 3-Series will look like. Arriving in both combustion form as the 3-Series and as a fully electric i3, the compact luxury sports sedan will be the latest to carry the brand’s Neue Klasse design language, launching with a more thoroughly updated and modernized look.
BMW has recently begun testing the new model with various powertrains near its base in Munich, Germany, and this particular prototype is interesting. Whereas others snapped testing in recent months have had plenty of faux body panels to throw off our prying eyes, this is the first we’ve seen with production-ready headlights.
A Sharper Face
As we expected, they are very similar in shape and size to the original Vision Neue Klasse concept and suit the new-age sedan nicely. They’re edgier than the ones used in the current 3-Series and flow neatly into a set of much smaller, narrow-style kidney grilles. The result in a classier front end, addressing one of the most controversial elements of the existing model.
Of course, it’s not just the face of the 3-Series that is due for a major overhaul. All of the exterior panels will be changed, too, with some parts, such as the door and rear quarter panels reminiscent of those on the current 5-Series. The taillights also appear neatly integrated into the tail of the four-door sedan, although it’s difficult to know if the ones on this prototype are the final production units.
Two Architectures, One Lineup
Interestingly, the new 3-Series and the all-electric i3 are expected to use different platforms. Whereas the EV will use the Neue Klasse architecture seen in the iX3 SUV, the combustion model will stick with the CLAR platform.
ICE models will be offered with several different 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter inline-sixes, depending on the market. Meanwhile, the next M3 will use a version of current model’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo six, albeit with the addition of a mild-hybrid system.
BMW has not announced when the new 3-Series will hit the market, but we expect to see it unveiled sometime next year alongside the new i3, before it is introduced as a 2027 model. Until then, the camouflaged prototypes will continue roaming the streets around Munich, offering occasional glimpses of what’s to come.
BMW i3 electric sedan launches in 2026, following the closely related iX3 SUV.
It rides on the Neue Klasse platform and will gain a hot M-branded version.
The i3 will join BMW’s new 3-Series lineup alongside the ICE-powered variant.
The arrival of the new 2026 iX3 marked more than just another model launch for BMW. It signaled the beginning of the brand’s Neue Klasse era, setting the stage for 40 fresh or updated models expected by 2027. Among the most significant will be the all-electric version of the 3-Series sedan, simply called the i3, which BMW has teased in camouflaged form ahead of its official debut next year.
Closer to Reality
While BMW has already shown a similarly camouflaged prototype of the i3 earlier this year in China, the latest version appears to be a little closer to production. The electric sedan is now fitted with the final LED headlights and taillights (instead of provisional units), and rides on a new set of alloy wheels. Overall, it looks like an evolution of the Vision Neue Klasse concept from 2023 with refined details.
Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, confirmed that the new i3 will debut in 2026, as the first model variant of the next generation 3-Series, though despite the shared design, these two cars will ride on separate platforms, as is the case with the iX3 and X3.
“The next vehicle is already waiting in the wings,” Zipse said. “The details are still hidden beneath the camouflage, but I’m sure you’ll recognize the classic proportions of a sporty sedan.”
He also highlighted the importance of the 3-Series to BMW’s identity. “For the past 50 years and over seven model generations, no other vehicle has been as closely tied to the success of the BMW brand. The 3 Series embodies everything at the very core of BMW. Innovation. Digital user experience. Comfort. Sportiness. Together, these characteristics create an incomparable driving experience,” he added.
The next iteration will double down on those virtues, benefiting from cutting-edge technology in terms of electric motors, batteries, connectivity and autonomous driving systems.
Given that the larger and less aerodynamic iX3 already carries an EPA rating of 400 miles, it’s reasonable to expect the i3’s lower, sleeker profile to stretch that impressive figure even further.
The i3 will not stand alone for long. Zipse confirmed that the launch will be followed by additional variants, including performance-focused models. An electric equivalent of the M3 is already in development, featuring four electric motors and technology inspired by the Vision Driving Experience concept showcased earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the next-generation combustion-powered 3-Series will mirror much of the i3’s styling and cabin design, but it will ride on an updated version of the current platform since the Neue Klasse architecture is dedicated exclusively to EVs. Spy shots suggest some subtle differences in proportions between the two, with the ICE model carrying a longer hood and a more upright windshield.
40 New Models By 2027
Besides the new iX3 and i3 siblings, the Neue Klasse treatment will be gradually applied to the entire BMW range. Zipse said that every model from 2026 onward will be new, suggesting that over the next 12 months, they will keep us busy with numerous mid-lifecycle updates.
BMW also offered a preview of its refreshed lineup, showing the silhouettes of “40 new and facelifted” models set to arrive by 2027. The outlines appeared on a video wall during the iX3’s presentation, though the low resolution made it impossible to pick out finer details
The new 2026 iX3 is BMW’s first production EV to ride on the Neue Klasse platform.
It introduces a new styling language, and many new technologies inside the cabin.
The iX3 50 xDrive arrives in the US in mid-2026 with 463 hp and a 400-mile range.
Update: We’ve just added a fresh batch of live photos from the Munich Motor Show. Check them out below for a closer look at BMW’s Neue Klasse SUV strutting in the wild.
BMW has entered its Neue Klasse chapter with the world premiere of the second-generation iX3. More than just another electric SUV, this model sets the stage for the brand’s future with a new design language, a purpose-built EV platform, and four high-powered computers BMW calls its “superbrains.”
The first version to reach showrooms will be the iX3 50 xDrive in mid-2026. It delivers 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) from dual motors, offers an impressive EPA-estimated 400-mile range (644 km), and carries a starting price of about $60,000. Let’s take a closer look at what makes it stand out.
A New Era of BMW Design
Photos Carscoops / Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink
Photos Carscoops / Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink
The production iX3 remains faithful to the Vision Neue Klasse X concept from 2024, incorporating the brand’s new styling direction that will be eventually applied across its entire lineup, including ICE and EV models.
“The design of the Neue Klasse provides a very modern interpretation of what BMW has always stood for,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. “With our new design language, the new BMW iX3 looks future-focused, modern, and timeless – but, above all, more BMW than ever.”
At the front, the vertical kidney grille and twin headlight setup of the new iX3 take cues from classic BMWs such as the 2002 Series, reinterpreted here with a modern, futuristic twist. They’re paired with sculpted intakes and glossy black bumper accents, which stand in for the plastic cladding typically seen on SUVs and crossovers.
Photos Carscoops / Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink
Photos BMW
The profile is defined by rectangular contours and crisp character lines that underscore its athletic stance. Yet apart from the signature Hofmeister kink, it may be the least traditionally BMW aspect of the design.
At the rear, horizontally arranged taillights are divided by a recessed section that echoes the shape of the roof spoiler. Aerodynamic refinements have reduced the drag coefficient to 0.24, a notable improvement over the previous iX3’s 0.29.
For buyers looking for a sharper edge, the optional M Sport package brings a restyled body kit and alloy wheels in 20, 21, or 22 inches, paired with blue brake calipers. Those who choose the M Sport Professional package get an illuminated grille, black trim details, and red calipers.
The new iX3 measures 188.3 inches (4,783 mm) long, 74.6 inches (1,895 mm) wide, and 64.4 inches (1,636 mm) tall with a 114.1-inch (2.898 mm) wheelbase. This means it is 1.9 inches (49 mm) longer compared to its predecessor, with an extra 1.3 inches (34 mm) between the axles.
Futuristic Interior
Photos Carscoops / Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink
The interior’s focal point is BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive, a sweeping pillar-to-pillar display integrated along the base of the windshield. It works in tandem with a 17.9-inch central screen and an optional 3D head-up display, all powered by the latest BMW Operating System X, which promises a cleaner and more intuitive interface. For longtime BMW drivers, it’s a dramatic departure from both the brand’s current layouts and the more driver-centric dashboards of the past.
While the climate controls are integrated into the touchscreen, BMW designers kept some physical controls for the essentials such as wipers, indicators, mirrors, volume, gear selection, and the parking brake.
The multifunction steering wheel now features the often-debated touch-sensitive buttons, while the voice-activated BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant are designed to cut down on distractions, though how well this works in practice remains to be seen.
Optional features include a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, the panoramic moonroof, and a three-zone auto climate control. The EV also introduces new driving sounds and sound effects from the BMW HypersonX soundscape.
BMW highlights the roomy five-seat layout of the iX3, made possible by the smart packaging of its EV-dedicated platform. Cargo space is generous, with 30.4 cubic feet (861 liters) available behind the rear seats and up to 65 cubic feet (1,841 liters) when folded, based on US measurements that extend floor to ceiling. European figures, which measure only to the top of the rear seats, list capacity from 520 to 1,750 liters.
A small 2 cubic-foot (57-liter) frunk adds extra practicality, complemented by multiple storage compartments throughout the cabin.
Smarter Than Your Average EV
The Neue Klasse iX3 is equipped with four high-performance computers called “superbrains”, which are part of the vehicle’s “digital nervous system”. Each unit controls the driving dynamics, automated driving systems, infotainment, and basic functions. For example, the “Heart of Joy” superbrain is responsible for the drivetrain, brakes, energy recuperation, and steering, making sure that the driver always gets the best out of them.
Another unit is dedicated to the automated driving and parking functions. Speaking of which, the standard Active Driving Assistant Plus is a complete suite of ADAS, while the optional Highway Assistant allows hands-off driving for prolonged periods of time. Furthermore, the “BMW Symbiotic Drive” means that the driver inputs can merge seamlessly with the autonomous systems without disengaging them.
According to BMW, the iX3 is a software-defined vehicle, meaning it will keep improving throughout its lifecycle with over-the-air updates.
Platform And Performance
The new iX3 is the first production model to ride on the Neue Klasse platform that will eventually underpin all electric BMWs. This 800-volt architecture introduces the sixth-generation eDrive system, pairing newly developed electric motors with high-density cylindrical battery cells. It also integrates the “Heart of Joy” driving dynamics system along with advanced autonomous driving functions.
The launch version, the iX3 50 xDrive, uses dual electric motors with all-wheel drive, delivering a combined 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. That output propels the SUV from 0 to 60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed capped at 130 mph (209 km/h). Drivers can choose between Sport, Efficient, Silent, and Personal modes to tailor the experience.
Range And Charging
The company hasn’t specified battery capacity, but the 400-mile (644 km) EPA figure, likely even higher under WLTC testing, speaks volumes. Thanks to 400 kW DC fast charging, the iX3 can gain 230 miles (370 km) of range in just 10 minutes, or recharge from 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes. The model supports bi-directional charging and features a NACS port with CCS adapter. A sensor-based flap even opens and closes automatically.
The all-wheel-drive 50 xDrive will be just the beginning. A rear-drive, single-motor version is already in the pipeline, and it’s only a matter of time before BMW M puts its stamp on a high-performance iX3.
Pricing And Availability
BMW expects the iX3 50 xDrive to reach US dealerships in summer 2026 with a starting price of “around $60,000”. That figure undercuts the similarly sized X3 M50 xDrive, powered by a six-cylinder gasoline engine, by roughly $6,000. Pricing should also line up closely with Tesla’s upcoming Model Y Performance, which is projected to come in roughly $10,000 above the $48,990 Long Range AWD.
In the premium electric SUV segment, the iX3 will go up against the Audi Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan EV, and upcoming entries like the Mercedes GLC EV and Volvo EX60.
Production for US models will begin in the first quarter of 2026 at BMW’s new plant in Debrecen, Hungary.
More To Come
The Neue Klasse strategy is far bigger than a single model. By 2027, BMW expects nearly 40 new or refreshed vehicles to adopt its technology, from sedans to SUVs. The next Neue Klasse debut will be a four-door sedan positioned as the electric counterpart to the 3-Series.
As BMW CEO Oliver Zipse put it, this platform represents a “huge leap” in design, technology, and driving experience. For the company, the iX3 is only the beginning.
BMW Motorrad has unveiled an electric scooter known as the Vision CE concept.
It features a roll cage, a seat, and a seatbelt to allow for helmet-free rides.
The scooter also has a self-balancing function as well as a digital instrument cluster.
BMW Motorrad has unveiled the new Vision CE concept, ahead of its debut at the Munich Motor Show on September 8. It’s an electric scooter with a seat and roll cage, which eliminate the “need for a helmet as well as protective clothing.”
While that might be true, the resulting design leaves a lot to be desired as the concept looks like a combination of the CE 04 and a mobility scooter. It features a fairly traditional front end, which is connected to two square-ish bars that encircle the rider.
The concept also sports slender headlights, roll cage-mounted auxiliary lights, and a small windscreen. The tubular design is echoed further below and they’re accompanied by mid-mounted deflectors. BMW also envisions the scooter could be customized with everything from a removable Bluetooth speaker to a transparent roof and a rear luggage rack.
The rider sits on a unique seat, which features a backrest and headrest as well as a seatbelt. We can also see a metal mesh section above the headrest, which presumably acts as an additional layer of protection.
Sticking with the cockpit, riders will find a large digital display as well as traditional handle bars. They’re joined by pronounced footrests and a covered charging port.
BMW didn’t say much about the concept, but confirmed it’s electric and has a “balancing function, which allows the vehicle to completely balance itself when stationary.” The company also said the Vision CE was designed to give users an “increased sense of freedom” as well as a “casual, carefree riding experience.”
A BMW i7 with the M Package was used as a base for a special art project in Korea.
Experimental artist Lee Kun-Yong has created a unique wrap for the large EV.
The model will be displayed in Seoul, alongside 18 miniature BMW art cars.
The current 7-Series, known internally as the G70, might be one of BMW’s most debated designs in years, second only to the polarizing Bangle-era E65. While enthusiasts wait for the Neue Klasse facelift expected in 2026, the present model has taken on a different kind of spotlight in Korea, where it has been turned into an art car.
This one-off creation comes from a collaboration with Lee Kun-Yong, widely regarded as one of Korea’s most influential avant-garde artists. Known for performances that use his own body as a medium, Kun-Yong often translates movement into striking abstractions, most famously in his Bodyscape series.
A fully electric BMW i7 equipped with the M Package became the 83-year-old artist’s mobile canvas. He designed a special wrap anchored in a vivid red base, which remains visible on the front and rear fenders, side skirts, roof pillars, and rear deck.
However, the rest of the vehicle sports paintings with faces, hearts, leaves, and abstract shapes that cover the doors, the bumpers, the lower portion of the tailgate and the hood. Each side of the large executive sedan is unique, resulting in an asymmetrical layout.
According to BMW, the artist’s goal was to “reflect the precision and responsiveness inherent in the dialogue between driver and car, drawing parallels to his own artistic practice”.
Kun-Yong said that he views art as “a bridge between different objects, different people and even different perspectives,” and hopes the collaboration creates new points of connection between art and technology.
Exhibition In Seoul
The colorful i7 will be exhibited at the BMW Lounge in Seoul, Korea, between September 3 and 6, alongside a collection of 18 miniature art cars. Furthermore, Lee Kun-Yong will create a new canvas as part of a live show on September 4, taking inspiration from his work on the vehicle.
This year, the Bavarian automaker is celebrating 50 years of BMW Art Cars with a global exhibition program, and the 30 years of BMW Korea. For this reason, it is organizing an art fair that will be held at the Gagman district of Seoul, including 120 galleries from 30 countries. Finally, local artist Crush, known for creating a blend of pop, R&B and hip hop music, will perform at the latest edition of Frieze Music in Seoul on September 5.
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