BMW has unveiled the iX3 50 xDrive, a new electric SUV that can travel up to 500 miles on a single charge, making it the longest-range electric car currently available in the UK. A less expensive rear-wheel-drive model, the iX3 40, is scheduled to arrive in 2026 and is expected to achieve more than 600 miles between charges. Both vehicles are part of the company’s Neue Klasse generation, which introduces new design, engineering and software platforms.
The iX3 50 xDrive adopts a minimalist design approach, featuring slim headlights, hidden window seals and optional illuminated kidney grilles. “Compared to the older BMWs, the 50 xDrive is cleaner and simpler in style,” the company said on its website. Measuring 4.8 meters in length and 1.6 meters in height, the SUV bears similarities to the existing BMW X3 but adds pop-out door handles, 20-inch wheels and glossy black trim.
A major innovation is the use of BMW’s new 800-volt electrical architecture, which allows the iX3 to add 257 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging. The system also supports bidirectional charging, enabling the car to power external equipment or feed electricity back into a home.
The vehicle uses cylindrical battery cells, a design also employed by Tesla, which BMW says offers 30% faster charging and 20% higher energy density compared with previous models. The batteries underpin both performance and efficiency improvements across the Neue Klasse lineup.
The iX3 50 xDrive produces a combined 463 bhp and 645 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. It will be available in three trims: the Standard version starting at £58,755 in the UK, the sportier M Sport with body kit and ambient lighting, and the flagship M Sport Pro.
First deliveries of the iX3 50 xDrive in the UK are expected in March 2026, while the longer-range iX3 40 will follow later that year.
Source: BMW. Auto Express