First look inside BMW’s new iX3 – it may prove why electric cars are the future

Are we getting to a point where EVs finally feel like the future? Mercedes recently announced the launch of its new CLA that offers over 400 miles of range on a single charge and a battery that can be refilled in a matter of minutes.

Now it’s the turn of BMW to show why going battery-powered can finally match filling up with fuel.

The new iX3 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) – which is part of BMW’s smart Neue Klasse range – will arrive on roads next year, and it’s not just its styling that takes inspiration from the future. This car is brimming with technology that brings new features to the driving seat and a range that will allow owners to travel from London to Manchester and back without needing to stop.

In fact, top the battery up to 100 percent and the iX3 will keep on motoring for around 500 miles, BMW claims.

When the battery light starts flashing red indicating charge is running low, the car can then charge at 400kW. That will take things from flat to 231 miles in around 10 minutes.

This pretty epic range and speedy refilling have been achieved via new battery technology with Lithium-ion cylindrical cells. That latest power pack, combined with improved efficiency, sleek aerodynamics, and brake energy recuperation, means more time on the road and less time topping up the tank.

To stand out from the ever-growing EV crowd, the iX3 also gets some pretty unique and very bold styling, including a front grille that glows in the dark.

This lighting system even welcomes you when you unlock the doors.

Hop inside and the modern twists continue.

This is the firm’s first car to get its new Panoramic iDrive display. This is actually a 4K projection which is beamed onto the windscreen and stretches from pillar to pillar.

Once illuminated, the thin panel lets you see swathes of data, including speed, time to destination, how much range is left and the local weather conditions.

The BMW assistant also pops up to help guide you along the way, turn on settings and answer any questions. Unlike Mercedes, BMW isn’t using platforms such as Google’s Gemini or ChatGPT to get helpful data but that might come in the future.

Having sat in the iX3, this Panoramic iDrive technology makes a lot of sense and we wouldn’t be surprised if more manufacturers follow with similar concepts in the future.

A smart new steering wheel that appears to float in front of you adds more wow-factor along with a huge pixel-packed 17-inch main display that gets a unique shape that makes it blend in better with its surroundings.

To help you get from A to B, the iX3 comes with Intelligent, charging-optimised route planning and a comprehensive navigation experience even in the base specification.

There are also huge windows and a massive panoramic glass roof, which makes the interior feel light and airy.

The iX3 should offer some pretty stress-free motoring thanks to the power of four supercomputers that control everything from the infotainment, passenger comfort and power management.

There’s also tech such as Park Assist and AI-supported Symbiotic Drive with symbiotic brakes (a world first) provide drivers with more support than ever before.

As well as being very smart, the iX3 is also practical thanks to its huge boot and ‘frunk’ which offers enough space under the bonnet for a weekend bag.

We only had a short time with the iX3, but it’s definitely not dull and it will certainly get the neighbours talking when you park it on the drive.

Of course, the most important part of the car is that hugely impressive range and rapid charging.

Having to constantly stop has been a huge pain point for those wanting to get an EV, and it finally feels like manufacturers are getting to grips with this issue.

We’ll have to wait for the real-world tests before we’ll know if the iX3 can go for 500 miles on a single charge but things certainly appear promising.

The BMW iX3 50 xDrive starts from £58,755.

Speaking about the launch Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said: “The Neue Klasse is our biggest future-focused project and marks a huge leap forward in terms of technologies, driving experience and design.

“Practically everything about it is new, yet it is also more BMW than ever. Our whole product range will benefit from the innovations brought by the Neue Klasse – whichever drive system technology is employed.”

“What started as a bold vision has now become reality: the BMW iX3 is the first Neue Klasse model to go into series production. We are not only bringing the next generation of one of our most successful fully electric vehicles onto the road, we are launching a new era for BMW.”