Beijing, China- Bayerische Motoren Werke AG., is preparing to unveil the BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase, its most advanced all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle so far. It is made mainly for China and will debut at the Beijing Auto Show 2026. Sales are planned for the second half of 2026.
This model is the first long-wheelbase electric SAV built on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform. BMW says it supports its “In China, for China” plan, and some of the technology developed in China will also be used in future global BMW models.
The wheelbase is 108 mm longer to give more rear-seat comfort and cabin space—important for Chinese customers. BMW also says the car keeps good balance and driving control. A China-tuned suspension is designed to improve comfort while staying stable at speed.
A new control system called Heart of Joy manages power, braking, steering, and energy recovery to make driving smoother. BMW also highlights a “Soft Stop” feature for smoother braking.
The iX3 Long Wheelbase introduces BMW Panoramic iDrive with BMW Operating System X. It includes a panoramic display, a 3D head-up display, a central screen, and a steering wheel with lights and haptic feedback to make controls easier to use.
BMW says the China software is strongly localized. Navigation is developed with Amap, and the voice assistant uses AI models from Alibaba and DeepSeek for more natural voice control. It also supports Huawei features like Digital Key and HiCar.
For driver assistance, BMW is working with Momenta on China-specific ADAS software to better handle local traffic conditions.
The vehicle uses an 800V system with sixth-generation BMW eDrive tech, new cylindrical battery cells, and an “Energy Master” unit. BMW targets 900+ km range (CLTC) and up to 400 kW fast charging. It can add 400+ km in about 10 minutes, and charge 10–80% in around 21 minutes. It also supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) to power external devices.
After the China launch, BMW says it may bring the iX3 Long Wheelbase to selected markets such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India.