BMW iX3 Neue Klasse Achieves 1,007 Km on Single Charge in Performance Test

The BMW iX3, the first commercial vehicle built on the Neue Klasse architecture, established a significant operational range milestone during a recent real-world performance trial. On November 19, 2025, a team of six BMW personnel completed an unassisted journey of 1,007.7 kilometers (626 miles) on a single battery charge, demonstrating the new technology's capability beyond laboratory assessments.

This demanding route commenced at the new BMW Group Plant in Debrecen, Hungary, where the model is undergoing series production, and concluded at the BMW Welt in Munich, Germany. The selected path deliberately incorporated a mix of urban and rural roads rather than optimized flat highway driving to rigorously test efficiency under varied conditions. To achieve this distance, the driving team implemented extreme energy-saving measures, including deactivating climate control, heating, and the radio once the battery level dropped near Vienna.

The vehicle utilized in the test was the iX3 50 xDrive variant, which produces 345 kW (469 horsepower). Upon arrival in Munich, the vehicle retained a remaining range exceeding 20 kilometers (12 miles). This achievement validates the potential of the Neue Klasse platform, which is central to BMW's future electric vehicle strategy and is scheduled for its European market launch in March 2026.

The Neue Klasse technology integrates BMW's sixth-generation eDrive system, characterized by its round battery cells and an 800-volt architecture. BMW has stated that this new platform delivers 20 percent higher battery energy density, 30 percent faster charging capability, and at least 30 percent greater range compared to preceding generations.

Series production for the Neue Klasse platform began at the Debrecen plant in late 2025. This facility is designed by the BMW Group to operate entirely without fossil fuels in its standard operations, aligning with the company's broader commitment to reducing reliance on fossil energy sources. Meanwhile, the Munich plant, the company's largest facility, ceased internal combustion engine production in November 2023 and is transitioning to manufacture future Neue Klasse-based electric models.

This test serves as confirmation of the new technology's viability across diverse driving conditions, a critical factor as BMW targets at least 50 percent of its global new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. The first electric models based on the Neue Klasse architecture are anticipated to reach the market in 2025, with at least six models planned for release between 2025 and 2027, beginning with the sedan replacement for the 3 Series.