Right-hand drive BMW iX3 firms for Oz
First Neue Klasse model will be in Australia mid-2026; more variants revealedThe News
The right-hand drive version of the Neue Klasse 2026 BMW iX3 electric SUV has broken cover overseas, with more powertrains confirmed and pricing revealed.
The Key Details
- The BMW iX3 is the first all-new Neue Klasse model from the German luxury brand
- Launched at the Munich motor show in left-hand drive as the all-wheel drive 50 xDrive
- Now a right-hand drive version of the 50 xDrive has broken cover at a golf tournament in the UK
- Separately, two more iX3 models have been confirmed for the USA at surprisingly competitive pricing
- BMW says cost-down has been a focus of Neue Klasse development, aiding the price tag
The Finer Details
The 2026 BMW iX3 has just debuted in right-hand drive form at a BMW-sponsored gold tournament in the UK, showcasing the version of the electric SUV we’ll see in Australia from mid-2026.
Separately, in the USA, two further iX3 variants have been announced, including a dual-motor 40 xDrive and rear-motor rear-wheel drive 40 sDrive, with deliveries set to kick off in 2027.
The 40 models announced in the US will come with a smaller battery pack than the 50 xDrive’s 108kWh.
There's also the promise of a 300 mile-plus (480km) range in base form, along with 400 miles-plus (644km) for the 50 xDrive. Under WLTP, BMW is claiming an even higher 805km range for the latter.
At the German launch, BMW announced a price of €68,900 ($A121,500) for the 50 xDrive and confirmed an “entry level” model will be priced around €60,000 ($A106,000).
Meanwhile in the US, the price of the 50 xDrive is being forecast at around $US60,000 ($90,200), while the 40 xDrive and the sDrive are set to sit below $US55,000 ($82,700).
In the UK, the base price for the 50 xDrive on display at Wentworth golf club was listed at £58,755 ($A119,800).
US pricing in particular, is better than what many pundits expected. In Australia, the first-generation rear-wheel drive only iX3 - which is no longer on sale – was last priced from an LCT-beating $91,000 to $104,900 plus on-road costs.
In a media roundtable at the global iX3 reveal, the head of the Neue Klasse program Mike Reichelt told Australian journalists the sharp pricing was due to a strong focus on cost reduction.
That’s despite the vehicle costing a record $17 billion to develop – so far!
“We reduced the price of the battery pack also for the customer,” said Reichelt.
“[At €68,900] when you compare it the ICE we are in the ballpark of the ICE. When you compare to the current X3 ICE customers or plug-in customers we are completely in the bandwidth of the price of ICE cars,” he said.
“One of the main topics was reduced complexity, make it as a simple as possible. For example, the sonar architecture we reduced the wiring harness 600 meters. Also, the body in white, it is a normal steel body; it is not exotic material, but in a simple way we have never done before.
“Simplicity is one of the main targets, when it is simple it is normally cost efficient.”
The Road Ahead
BMW has committed to six Neue Klasse variants launching globally and they are understood to be variants of the iX3 and as well as the i3 sedan that was briefly previewed in Munich.
The i3 variants are expected to include a Touring (wagon) and a fire-breathing quad motor electric M3.
Over the same period, Neue Klasse tech will be spread across 40 new and updated BMW models.
Related: BMW pours $17 billion into Neue Klasse future
Related: 2026 BMW i3 makes public debut ahead of 2026 production
Related: 2026 BMW iX3 debuts with brand’s next-gen EV tech
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