2025 BMW iX3 Neue Klasse previewed

The 2025 BMW iX3 has been previewed ahead of its launch next year, with the German car-maker confirming it’s on-track to build its first Neue Klasse model by 2026.

When it arrives, the first of the new family of next-generation EVs will fight the global best-selling Tesla Model Y, and to have a chance, the next iX3 will sit on BMW’s all-new ‘Neue Klasse’ architecture.

Moving from prismatic cells to Tesla-stye cylindrical battery cells, the new dedicated platform features an 800-volt electrical architecture which allows for ultra-fast DC charging said to add up to 300km of range in just 10 minutes.

Drive is provided by a raft of next-gen motors of varying outputs which combine with the new battery chemistry and cooling systems to slash energy consumption by up to 25 per cent compared to BMW’s current EVs – translating to vehicle-only energy consumption of around 11kWh/100km, or about 13kWh/100km.

The new iX3 will also feature radical styling, not that you can tell from the camouflaged pics of it at its production home in Debrecen, Hungary.

Originally previewed by the Vision Neue Klass X concept that was unwrapped earlier this year, the disguised SUV looks like it will stay true to the show car, although we won’t have long to find out as it’s thought the production vehicle will be revealed in early 2025.

Announcing that the car shown is near production, BMW explained how the German brand is already running cars down the production line to test the logistics and production process that optimises the facility ahead of the ‘real’ car’s production.

It’s already been announced that production of the Neue Klasse sedan – dubbed i3 – will start in Munich in 2026 ahead of manufacturing operations also starting in Mexico.

BMW says more than half of its sales will be EVs by 2030, and that the i3 will be followed in quick succession by a raft of other Neue Klasse models, potentially totalling six by the end of 2027.

Hedging its bets, BMW will continue to roll out its new-generation combustion engines for markets and consumers not ready to transition to electric vehicles.

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au