BMW provided flights from Washington, DC, to Munich and accommodation so Ars could be briefed on the iX3. Ars does not accept paid editorial content. BMW has an all-electric replacement for its X3 crossover on the way. When it arrives in mid-2026, it will have the lowest carbon footprint of any BMW yet, thanks to an obsessive approach to sustainability during the design process. But we knew that already; what we couldn't tell you then, but can now, is everything else we know about the first of the so-called Neue Klasse electric vehicles. "The Neue Klasse is our biggest future-focused project and marks a huge leap forward in terms of technologies, driving experience, and design," said BMW chairman Oliver Zipse. "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, kicking off a new era for BMW." A new face The iX3 also debuts a new corporate face for BMW's SUVs: From now on, these will have tall, narrow kidney grilles like the one you see here, as opposed to the short, wide grille seen on the front of the Neue Klasse sedan (which is almost certainly the next 3 Series). LEDs replace chrome, and there's a new take on BMW's usual four headlights, although the illuminated kidney grill is an option, not mandatory. Despite the two-box shape, the iX3 manages a drag coefficient of just 0.24. BMW The iX3 should have a smaller carbon footprint than a gas-powered X3 after just a year. The iX3 should have a smaller carbon footprint than a gas-powered X3 after just a year. BMW BMW The iX3 roof has a double-bubble. The iX3 roof has a double-bubble. BMW The iX3 should have a smaller carbon footprint than a gas-powered X3 after just a year. BMW The iX3 roof has a double-bubble. BMW Sixth-generation As befitting a company called the Bavarian Motor Works, BMW has been in the business of designing and building its own electric powertrains for quite some time, in contrast to some rivals that have been buying EV tech from suppliers. In addition to the class-leading manufacturing efficiency, the sixth-generation electric powertrain should be extremely efficient—around 4 miles/kWh (15.5 kWh/100 km) from an SUV-shape, which is 20–25 percent better than current SUV EVs.