BMW iX3 Achieves 1,007 Kilometers on Single Charge in Efficiency Test

The all-electric BMW iX3, the first model utilizing the company's next-generation 'Neue Klasse' platform, completed an endurance drive logging 1,007.7 kilometers, or 626 miles, on a single battery charge on November 19, 2025. This real-world range validation, which surpassed typical laboratory ratings, was executed by a team of six BMW employees over a route designed to test the vehicle's energy management systems under varied conditions.

The test commenced at the BMW Group Plant in Debrecen, Hungary, the series production site for the platform, and concluded at BMW Welt in Munich, Germany. The itinerary deliberately avoided optimized highway cruising, instead incorporating demanding city traffic and rural roads to simulate diverse consumer driving patterns. The specific vehicle used was the iX3 50 xDrive variant, rated at 345 kW, or 469 horsepower. Throughout the journey, the team adhered to stringent efficiency protocols, including minimizing aggressive acceleration.

As the battery charge approached 53% near Vienna, energy-saving measures were implemented, including the deactivation of climate control, cabin heating, and the onboard radio. Despite these conditions and the vehicle's high-performance nature, the iX3 arrived in Munich with a residual range exceeding 20 kilometers, or 12 miles. This performance validates the technological advancement of the 'Neue Klasse' architecture.

Series production of the 'Neue Klasse' platform began in late 2025 at the Debrecen facility, BMW's first plant designed for operations entirely without fossil fuels. The platform integrates the sixth generation of BMW's eDrive technology, featuring novel, round battery cells and an advanced 800-volt electrical architecture. BMW has stated this technology delivers a 20% increase in battery energy density, 30% faster charging rates, and a minimum of 30% greater range compared to preceding electric vehicle platforms.

The market introduction for the iX3 model in the European sector is officially scheduled to commence in March 2026. This controlled demonstration provides concrete evidence of the platform's efficiency potential, emphasizing practical, long-distance usability and addressing key consumer concerns regarding electric vehicle adoption through the combination of high power output and extended range capability.