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BMW is lining up the iX3 Long Wheelbase for its public debut at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, with sales targeted for the second half of the year. Built specifically with China in mind, it becomes the first long-wheelbase, all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle on BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture—an SUV that’s meant to feel as sophisticated in traffic as it does covering distance at speed.
The headline hardware is the stretched wheelbase, extended by 108 mm to give rear passengers more breathing room without turning the body into a barge. BMW says the chassis and suspension have been tuned for local roads, aiming for a plush ride with tidy body control, sharp steering response and the sort of balanced handling expected from the badge.
Under the skin, the iX3 Long Wheelbase leans heavily on new control electronics. BMW’s “Heart of Joy” control unit and Dynamic Performance Control software coordinate drive, braking, recuperation and steering in real time, promising smoother transitions and a more natural feel when you lean on the pedals. There’s also a “Soft Stop” function designed to take the abruptness out of the final moments of braking—useful in a big EV where refinement is judged in centimetres.
The cabin tech is being positioned as a major selling point, led by BMW Panoramic iDrive running on Operating System X. A wide “Visual Cone” layout combines panoramic projection, a 3D head-up display and a central screen with steering-wheel controls that use haptics and illumination, keeping key information close to the driver’s eyeline. BMW is also going deep on China-specific integration, with locally developed software, Amap navigation for complex junction guidance, voice functions enhanced by large language models, and compatibility with Huawei services such as Digital Key and HiCar—plus a locally tailored driver-assistance stack developed with Momenta.
Charging and efficiency are set to match the car’s premium brief. An 800-volt electrical system, sixth-generation eDrive tech and new battery-cell design support rapid DC charging and a long CLTC range claim, while vehicle-to-load capability adds a practical edge for powering external devices. BMW’s broader point is clear: the tech developed for this China-focused iX3 will not stay regional for long, with key systems expected to influence future models well beyond the local market.
