Shockwave Incoming: BMW's New iX3 Aims for 800 Kilometers of Pure Electric Awe

BMW’s upcoming iX3 is entering its final development stretch, and the time has come to peel back the curtain on this electric predator’s most compelling tricks. At its core, the iX3 will debut the brand’s sixth-generation eDrive system, which introduces cylindrical battery cells and bidirectional charging. That means the iX3 won’t just draw power—it can send electricity back to the home grid, easing pressure during peak hours.

The 800-volt architecture enables lightning-fast charging of up to 400 kW, adding as much as 350 kilometers of range in just ten minutes. According to the WLTP cycle, the iX3 50 xDrive promises up to 800 kilometers on a full charge—and under China’s CLTC standard, as much as 900.

Controlling this electric drivetrain is a supercomputer dubbed “Heart of Joy,” orchestrating power delivery, braking, regeneration, and steering assistance with such finesse that deceleration is handled by electric motors alone in 98 percent of cases.

Driver assistance in the iX3 blends traditional systems with AI muscle. At launch, expect a lane-keeping assistant, exit warnings, and a new Assisted View interface. Higher trims unlock the next-gen Motorway Assistant, which helps seamlessly merge into traffic, and the City Assistant, a full-featured urban autopilot.

This system doesn't replace the driver—it works in symbiosis. For example, the car won’t allow a lane change without a glance at the side mirror. Adaptive braking tailors system response to the driver’s own input, and for parking, AI helps identify spots and plan the maneuvers with surgical precision.

When the new iX3 takes the stage at IAA Mobility 2025 this September, it’s set to deliver a technological jolt. Production begins at the end of the year, and this time, range isn’t just more—it’s monumental.