Redesigned BMW 3-Series and i3 sedans were spied undergoing tests.
Each model rides on a unique platform, featuring unique, but similar styling.
The i3 50 xDrive could have 463 hp and an EPA range of around 400 miles.
BMW is working on 40 new or updated models and that includes the redesigned 3-Series and 3-Series EV, known as the i3. Both were recently spied undergoing testing and they sport some notable differences.
While both cars have a Neue Klasse front end, the gas-powered model has a prominent lower intake that appears to have an active shutter grille. The lower bumper on the i3 is covered by camouflaged mesh, but it should feature a similar setup.
More notable differences are revealed in the comparison images as we can see the two models have different rooflines. The i3’s is relatively flat, while the 3-Series has a subtle slope.
We can also see slightly different greenhouses with diverging rear door designs. The ICE-powered model has a nearly vertical partition, while the EV has a more angular design with a triangular base. Furthermore, both cars have unique rear quarter glass.
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Even something as mundane as the location of the charging/fuel door is different. On the 3-Series, it’s located towards the front of the rear fender and sits slightly above the top of the rear taillights. This contrasts with the i3, which has a charging port that is located lower and towards the middle of the panel.
All of this suggests a lot of manufacturing complexity and few shared components – at least on the outside. Speaking of which, spy photographers did get a glimpse of the cabin and it shows a freestanding display and a new steering wheel.
The rest of the interior is covered by black cloth, but one of the images clearly shows a pillar-to-pillar Panoramic iDrive display at the base of the windshield.
Powertrain details remain scarce, but the i3 should follow in the footsteps of the iX3. The crossover is being launched in 50 xDrive guise, which features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque.
This enables the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).
The motors are powered by a 108.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which provides a WLTP range of up to 500 miles (805 km). The impressive numbers extend to the 400 kW DC fast charging capability, which enables the battery to go from a 10-80% charge in as little as 21 minutes.
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BMW has already confirmed further electric variants will follow including an entry-level model with rear-wheel drive. It’s likely that a number of these powertrains will be shared with the i3.
The 3-Series will be more evolutionary as it will ride on an updated version of the CLAR platform. However, previous reports have suggested we can expect an updated engine lineup including a new M350 with over 400 hp (298 kW / 406 PS).
A new coupe SUV prototype by BMW has been spotted testing.
The Neue Klasse model is expected to adopt the iX4 moniker.
It will share its platform and interior with the upcoming iX3.
Update: Not long after the first prototype of BMW’s upcoming iX4 was caught testing out in the open, digital artists wasted no time trying to imagine what the final production model might look like. The early spy shots offer just enough visual clues to fuel some well-informed renderings, even as BMW keeps the real details under wraps.
With its close ties to the new iX3, connecting the dots isn’t especially difficult, though a few surprises may still surface in the finer details, particularly around the taillights.
Illustrations Sugar Design
These digital interpretations from Sugar Design present a convincing idea of BMW’s next electric crossover, a model positioned squarely against one of the world’s best-selling EVs, the Tesla Model Y.
Both share a similar overall silhouette, marked by a hatchback-style arched roofline and a steeply slanted rear window that lends the iX4 a more dynamic profile, though the BMW shows more individuality in its detailing, particularly around the front fascia.
BMW is already working on a replacement, but it reimagines the formula for the electric age. The all-new iX4 is designed as a sportier counterpart to its square-roof sibling, the Neue Klasse iX3.
Our spy photographers captured the first camouflaged prototype during development testing. At a glance, the iX4 appears to borrow its front end from the iX3, including the headlights, grille, bumper, hood, and fenders.
From the B-pillar rearwards, though, the bodywork tells a different story. The profile has been reworked with a sloping roofline that flows into a fastback-style tail.
SH Proshots
The rear glass is more steeply angled than on the outgoing X4 and carries a discreet spoiler at its tip. Its sportier posture is further accentuated by broader, muscular rear shoulders that appear cleaner and more sculpted than those of the smaller, boxier X2 and iX2.
At the rear, the iX4 features slim LED taillights positioned close together, while the license plate has been relocated to the bumper. The prototype sits on ten-spoke alloy wheels with a diamond-cut finish, though it remains uncertain whether this design will make it to the production version.
Although exact dimensions remain unconfirmed, the iX4 is expected to be marginally longer than the new iX3, which measures 188.3 inches (4,783 mm), while maintaining the same 114.1-inch (2,898 mm) wheelbase. It may also improve upon the iX3’s already low drag coefficient of 0.24 cd.
That means BMW’s Panoramic iDrive stretching pillar to pillar, a 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and an optional 3D head-up display, all running on the new BMW Operating System X.
The new model will be built on the Neue Klasse architecture, meaning it will be offered exclusively as a battery-electric vehicle. Its powertrain range is expected to mirror that of the iX3.
Currently, the iX3 50 xDrive delivers 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) through dual electric motors, while future variants are expected to include single-motor rear-wheel-drive options and higher-performance M-badged versions.
The BMW iX4 is expected to debut in late 2026. It will be the second fully electric coupe SUV from the Bavarian company, following the iX2 that was introduced in 2023. A larger iX6 is also rumored to follow at a later stage.
M-tuned BMW iX3 prototype caught testing with upgraded components.
Lowered suspension, larger wheels and beefier brakes hint at its performance.
An iX3 M60 could debut next year followed by a full-blown iX3 M in 2027.
BMW seems quite content with the early reception of the Neue Klasse iX3, and development is already pressing ahead on new versions of the electric SUV. Some of these will naturally lean hard toward the sharper end of BMW’s performance range, shaped by the M division.
Our photographers recently caught a performance-focused iX3 prototype testing on public roads near the Nürburgring. Compared with earlier development cars, this M-badged version looks further along, wearing components that appear nearly production-ready.
What’s BMW Testing Here?
BMW is believed to be preparing not one but at least two M versions of the iX3: an M Performance model expected to carry the iX3 M60 nameplate, and a full-blown iX3 M.
It’s not clear which variant was on test here, though the prototype’s sculpted hood, featuring what appear to be vents, hints that this could be the higher-performance M model.
SH Proshots
That raised section on the hood may serve as either an aerodynamic channel or a cooling duct. If so, because the standard iX3 includes a front trunk, BMW could be trading some of that storage space for M-specific power electronics and/or cooling.
Moving down from the hood, the front bumper sports a more aggressive design than the optional M Sport Package already offered for the standard iX3, though it avoids looking excessive.
There are also new side skirts and lower bumper extensions, with the front likely to reveal larger air intakes once the camouflage comes off. Subtle fender flares and a fresh set of five-spoke alloy wheels give the prototype a more athletic posture.
SH Proshots
At the back, this test car omits the optional spoiler extension shown at the IAA Mobility show in Munich but gains sharper contouring around the bumper.
A redesigned diffuser with a central opening rounds out the treatment, suggesting BMW is leaning toward functional restraint over visual drama, though the final design could still change as testing continues.
Beyond the visual tweaks, the SUV will also benefit from a sharper chassis setup for improved handling. The camouflaged prototype appears to ride on a lowered suspension and features larger perforated disc brakes.
The German carmaker typically introduces M Performance variants first, followed by full-blown M models. The iX3 M60 is expected to debut next year, likely featuring dual electric motors with output comfortably above the 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) of the iX3 50 xDrive, possibly pushing past the 600 hp mark.
BMW officials have already confirmed that their pure M electric cars will use a setup with four motors governed by an electronic control unit named the “heart of joy.” In theory, this architecture could deliver up to 1,341 horsepower, though that won’t apply to the iX3 M or its sibling, the i3M.
A more realistic figure for the iX3 M would be in the 700 to 800 hp range, with room for higher-output variants later on, perhaps including a Competition model that edges closer to 1,000 hp.
Don’t expect to see the iX3 M reach showrooms before 2027.
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.
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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.
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