They call it Neue Klasse (pronounced as “NOY-uh KLAHSS-uh;” new class” in English). It may sound like just another fancy new foreign term drummed up by the marketing department. It’s not. Without Neue Klasse, BMW might not even be existing now — or at least be the Bavarian carmaker we all know and admire.
BMW was in severe financial dire straits in the early 60s. Then they introduced the Neue Klasse line of sedans and coupes in 1962, including the now-legendary 1600 sedan and 2002 coupe. Both vehicles helped define the brand as a manufacturer of sporty, luxury-oriented automobiles.
Fast forward to 2026. BMW is now one of the healthiest and most admired automakers in the world, owning iconic brands Mini and Rolls-Royce. And they’re bringing back Neue Klasse, not out of desperation, but out of inspiration; and not just as a new design language, but as a dedicated new EV platform with advanced technology.
The new BMW iX3 is the first model under Neue Klasse. Its clean surfaces, upright proportions and narrow twin kidney grille evoke the look of BMWs from the 60s, but in a modern interpretation rather than a retro recreation. Yet beneath that almost nostalgic appearance is a car packed with the technologies that will define BMW’s next generation of electric vehicles. A beautiful blending of old and new, like much of what you see in Europe.
That contrast becomes even more interesting behind the wheel. The new BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport (the variant we drove in Thailand) employs a fully electric all-wheel-drive system with an immense output of 469ps and 645Nm of torque. The immediate response expected from an electric drivetrain is matched by BMW’s new Heart of Joy system, which brings drive-system and driving-dynamics control together under a central computer.
On our test drive on a circuit just outside Bangkok, the first impression is the strength of the acceleration. The iX3 does not need a dramatic build-up of speed: press the accelerator and the electric motors and that massive torque deliver instantaneous response — a mere 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h.
The more impressive aspect, however, is how BMW has approached the handling. The Heart of Joy works with BMW Dynamic Performance Control to coordinate the vehicle’s driving processes in fractions of a second. The result is intended to give the iX3 a precise, confident character rather than making it feel like simply a powerful electric SUV. BMW also highlights its Soft Stop function, designed to make coming to a complete stop smoother and more secure.
At the same time, the iX3 does not sacrifice ride comfort for its sporty character. Its combination of dynamic control and BMW’s emphasis on driving comfort gives the car a reassuring dual personality: sporty when the road beckons, but comfortable for everyday driving.
Inside, the contrast between old and new becomes even more striking. The exterior may suggest a distant connection with BMW’s past, but the cabin is unmistakably a product of the latest BMW era. The interior is spacious, functional and minimalist, with a driver-oriented layout that’s both elegant and functional.
The centerpiece is BMW Panoramic iDrive, built around a new operating concept and BMW Operating System X. Information can be controlled through touch or voice, while BMW Panoramic Vision projects individually configurable information across the lower section of the windshield. A 3D Head-Up Display is also available, putting key information directly into the driver’s field of vision.
That technology is integrated without turning the cabin into a complicated control center. The overall effect is clean and uncluttered, with the emphasis on making information available when and where it is useful. For techies, there is Harman Kardon audio, wireless smartphone charging and BMW ConnectedDrive.
There is also plenty of usable space: up to 1,750 liters of capacity in the rear cargo area, plus another 58 liters of storage in the frunk. With five seats and an open interior design, the iX3 manages to combine sportiness with practicality.
On the EV side, BMW’s sixth-generation 800-volt electric-drive and battery technology enables charging at up to 400 kW. BMW quotes a WLTP range of up to 805 km for the iX3 50 xDrive M Sport and that a 10-minute charge can add up to 309–372 km of range.
The car can also plan efficient routes while taking charging stops into account, and BMW says the iX3 supports bidirectional charging, allowing the vehicle to function as an electric power source for outdoor accessories and appliances. Driver-assist technologies include steering and lane control, lane-change warning, distance assistance and parking assistance.
Perhaps that is what makes the new iX3 particularly interesting. Its design is a throwback but the experience belongs firmly to the present — and arguably to BMW’s future. It has the strong acceleration of a performance EV, the sporty handling of a BMW, and the comfy ride of a luxury car. It offers the space and versatility of an SUV while maintaining a minimalist atmosphere dominated by BMW’s newest digital interfaces.
The new BMW iX3 therefore succeeds by bringing two very different ideas together: the visual simplicity and character associated with BMW’s past, and the electric performance, digital technology, efficiency and driver assistance of its newest generation. It looks back, but everything underneath it is moving forward.
(No Philippine pricing or availability for the BMW iX3 yet as we went to press, although the variant we drove in Thailand starts at roughly US$ 61,500 in the US and THB 3,459,000 in Thailand.)
