The most important and expensive new car in BMW’s history has landed in Australia.
A pre-production example of the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive has arrived ahead of its local launch, giving media, BMW dealers and technicians an early look at the first model from BMW’s Neue Klasse family.
Finished in Ocean Wave Blue, the right-hand drive iX3 touched down late last week and is not a saleable customer car.
They won’t be arriving till mid-year, although the announcement of pricing – tipped to be ultra-competitive – is expected to be only weeks away.
According to BMW Group Australia CEO Vikram Pawah, the iX3’s global significance is reflected locally.
“It is just as important for us,” he said. “The BMW iX3 — and the Neue Klasse in general — breaks new ground in so many areas.
2026 BMW iX3 50 xDrive right-hand drive in Australia.
“It puts us in a strong position to offer a cutting-edge product that complements our existing model range in an increasingly competitive market,” Pawah said.
“We also love our SUVs in Australia, and the iX3 takes that style of car to the next level. This is why we have this pre-production iX3 in the country so far ahead of launch — to showcase the car while educating our staff, dealers, and technical people on its innovation.”
BMW’s Neue Klasse programme, of which the iX3 is the first production model, is the most ambitious and costly in the company’s history, with more than €10 billion (about $17 billion) invested (and climbing) to develop the new architecture, electrified powertrain technology and digital systems that will underpin multiple future models.
Early signs from overseas suggest demand for the iX3 is unusually strong. BMW has reported “unprecedented” order intake for the Neue Klasse SUV in Europe, with the project’s head describing initial pre-sales as “sensational” — stronger than recent launches of other BMW products combined.
The volume of early orders has prompted BMW to explore ways to accelerate production beyond initial plans, as the company seeks to avoid extended wait times once the iX3 goes on sale globally — and in Australia in mid-2026.
2026 BMW iX3 50 xDrive right-hand drive in Australia.
The iX3 brings sixth-generation eDrive technology to market, featuring an 800-volt electrical architecture, dual motors producing 345 kW and 645 Nm, and a claimed 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 4.9 seconds.
A 108 kWh usable battery delivers a WLTP-claimed range of up to 805 km, with ultra-rapid charging able to add more than 350 km of range in about 10 minutes under ideal conditions.
Inside, it debuts BMW’s new Panoramic Vision display and BMW Operating System X, supported by high-performance computing modules that manage driving dynamics, infotainment and comfort systems.
The Neue Klasse’s design language and architecture will also influence every BMW model – be it EV or ICE – in the years ahead.
Pawah emphasised the importance of the early-arrival programme for BMW’s Australian team.
2026 BMW iX3 50 xDrive right-hand drive in Australia.
“The education piece for our dealer staff is especially significant so we ensure the network is adequately equipped and prepared for the Neue Klasse, both at the time of delivery for customers, and well beyond,” he said.
“The early view of the car for our up-and-coming technical talent is also pivotal and complements the work we do with the BMW #NextTech Mentored Apprenticeship Program — a scheme that addresses the national shortage of skilled technicians in the market by delivering specialist knowledge on advanced automotive systems.”
The 50 xDrive will be followed on sale by other iX3 variants, with the i3 passenger car the next Neue Klasse model to launch.
