The BMW Thread

[DT]

Oh, found the article (the poster just dropped those two pics with a link):

2026 BMW iX3 Revealed: Meet the Blueprint for BMW's Future

Don't mistake the iX3 for another cookie-cutter electric SUV, because it's truly ushering in a new era of BMW. Here's how.

www.thedrive.com

 

[DT]

Massive post covering the launch!

2026 BMW iX3 (NA5) Neue Klasse Debut: Specs, Wallpapers, Videos, Photos, Info

2026 BMW iX3 (NA5) Neue Klasse Debut: Specs, Wallpapers, Videos, Photos, Info

g45.bimmerpost.com

• Dawn of a new era: the first Neue Klasse model heralds the future of BMW design and tech.
• Gen6 eDrive technology with cylindrical-cell high voltage battery and new electric motors.
• 800V architecture, 400 kW peak charging can add ~230 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
• Four superbrains provide world class handling and intelligent, symbiotic driver support.
• BMW iX3 50 xDrive to start around $60,000, offer up to an estimated 400 miles of range.
• US production begins at BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Q1 2026, US deliveries mid-2026.

50xDrive the initial trim, excited about an M60/70 flavor

 

[Cmaier]

Massive post covering the launch!

2026 BMW iX3 (NA5) Neue Klasse Debut: Specs, Wallpapers, Videos, Photos, Info

2026 BMW iX3 (NA5) Neue Klasse Debut: Specs, Wallpapers, Videos, Photos, Info

g45.bimmerpost.com

• Dawn of a new era: the first Neue Klasse model heralds the future of BMW design and tech.
• Gen6 eDrive technology with cylindrical-cell high voltage battery and new electric motors.
• 800V architecture, 400 kW peak charging can add ~230 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
• Four superbrains provide world class handling and intelligent, symbiotic driver support.
• BMW iX3 50 xDrive to start around $60,000, offer up to an estimated 400 miles of range.
• US production begins at BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Q1 2026, US deliveries mid-2026.

50xDrive the initial trim, excited about an M60/70 flavor

If they don’t make them in spartanburg, it might be tough to sell these in the U.S. No idea what the tariff situation will look like next year, I guess.

I’m not a big fan of the shape, but it’s slightly better than the iX, I guess.

 

[DT]

The biggest bummer with very likely dropping down to a single vehicle next year, is not having a super cruiser like the iX, combined with the option of the Wrangler which is the go anywhere / do anything. Yesterday, I turned in one road too soon for the parking area, which would've necessitated a big loop back around (one way roads) to get to the actual lot, since it's not connected by a road. But it was just a little 8" curb separating them ...

 

[DT]

If they don’t make them in spartanburg, it might be tough to sell these in the U.S. No idea what the tariff situation will look like next year, I guess.

I’m not a big fan of the shape, but it’s slightly better than the iX, I guess.

Right, yeah, no idea. We're not really up till around March-April '27, and so much could change by then.

 

[Cmaier]

watching some of the videos, the screen seems to have some lag when scrolling. To grumpy old me, it looks like the touch screen will be annoying. I hope that by the time my lease is up they have reconsidered and provide some sort of physical control again.

speaking of which, i am slightly contemplating whether to make my car a 4 year lease, just so that there’s a chance that someone less stupid is president when it’s time to replace the iX.

 

[DT]

watching some of the videos, the screen seems to have some lag when scrolling. To grumpy old me, it looks like the touch screen will be annoying. I hope that by the time my lease is up they have reconsidered and provide some sort of physical control again.

speaking of which, i am slightly contemplating whether to make my car a 4 year lease, just so that there’s a chance that someone less stupid is president when it’s time to replace the iX.

Yeah, it would give you a nice long "no concern" timeframe, and heck, if you did decide to jump early into another BMW, they're great about early termination.

 

[diamond.g]

watching some of the videos, the screen seems to have some lag when scrolling. To grumpy old me, it looks like the touch screen will be annoying. I hope that by the time my lease is up they have reconsidered and provide some sort of physical control again.

speaking of which, i am slightly contemplating whether to make my car a 4 year lease, just so that there’s a chance that someone less stupid is president when it’s time to replace the iX.

I thought all the "major" touch things have buttons.

 

[Roller]

Massive post covering the launch!

2026 BMW iX3 (NA5) Neue Klasse Debut: Specs, Wallpapers, Videos, Photos, Info

2026 BMW iX3 (NA5) Neue Klasse Debut: Specs, Wallpapers, Videos, Photos, Info

g45.bimmerpost.com

• Dawn of a new era: the first Neue Klasse model heralds the future of BMW design and tech.
• Gen6 eDrive technology with cylindrical-cell high voltage battery and new electric motors.
• 800V architecture, 400 kW peak charging can add ~230 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
• Four superbrains provide world class handling and intelligent, symbiotic driver support.
• BMW iX3 50 xDrive to start around $60,000, offer up to an estimated 400 miles of range.
• US production begins at BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Q1 2026, US deliveries mid-2026.

50xDrive the initial trim, excited about an M60/70 flavor

The Panoramic Display, which is projected onto the lower windshield, is interesting. Apparently there is also a HUD, which would appear above the PD.

 

[Cmaier]

The Panoramic Display, which is projected onto the lower windshield, is interesting. Apparently there is also a HUD, which would appear above the PD.

From the video, seems gimmicky to me. Not sure what the point of putting widgets in front of the passenger is, and with my vision I’d probably never be able to make out whatever is over there if I am in the driver seat.

 

[Eric]

From the video, seems gimmicky to me. Not sure what the point of putting widgets in front of the passenger is, and with my vision I’d probably never be able to make out whatever is over there if I am in the driver seat.

This is my concern, BMW has always been the king when it comes to practical simple and effective controls/solutions. Everything from the basic pop out cup holder to the intuitive tactile the iDrive system. It sucks that they're entirely abandoning all of that for touchscreen.

 

[Roller]

From the video, seems gimmicky to me. Not sure what the point of putting widgets in front of the passenger is, and with my vision I’d probably never be able to make out whatever is over there if I am in the driver seat.

Agreed. In some ways, it makes me think of the driver's display in the Subaru Solterra, which is higher than I like. I prefer to have critical information like speed shown on a HUD, which is less obtrusive.

 

[Yoused]

I prefer to have critical information like speed shown on a HUD, which is less obtrusive.

My HUD is doubly the suck. I switched it off as soon as I found out how.

I do not need to have my speed right in the center of my line of sight all the time (especially being displayed as a number – I much prefer a gauge). The HUD floats in the air, right on the trunk of the car in front of me. (I have even developed a serious dislike for the field graphics in TV sportsball.) It can be nice to know, but I do not need to know it constantly and am happier to know that it is about what it should be more or less.

The other sucky thing about it is the dash frame, which reflects in my windshield on bright days. Yeah, I am finicky: do not toss your papers on my dash, I hate seeing stuff reflected in the space where I need to see actual stuff.

HUD could be ok if it was not directly in my line of sight all the time, where I could glance over or up at it now and then. And it could be useful for important info that is there for a moment. The way mine is I hate it.

 

[DT]

The HUD in our iX is stellar.

I'll wait to experience the NK HUD in person before judging it.

 

[Eric]

The HUD in our iX is stellar.

I'll wait to experience the NK HUD in person before judging it.

Agreed.

 

[Cmaier]

Agreed.

When I pick up my new iX tomorrow morning, I plan on asking about the Neue Klasse, but only because it amuses me when people in the U.S. think they are correcting my german pronunciations. (It happens a lot with Gewurtztraminer at restaurants). Salesman is from Iran, though, so he may not have the American “know-it-all” disease.

 

[diamond.g]

When I pick up my new iX tomorrow morning, I plan on asking about the Neue Klasse, but only because it amuses me when people in the U.S. think they are correcting my german pronunciations. (It happens a lot with Gewurtztraminer at restaurants). Salesman is from Iran, though, so he may not have the American “know-it-all” disease.

Is it not pronounced New Class?

 

[Cmaier]

Is it not pronounced New Class?

it is not.

more like “noy-uh clah-suh”

 

[Yoused]

Is it not "neue claße"?

 

[Cmaier]

Well, I’ve seen my car, and am waiting for a final answer on the trade-in (the range they’ve cited is good enough for me). Slow process. I’d like to go sit in the car and program my apple wallet key and all that, but for now I’ve just got to sit around and wait for the finance checks, etc.