BMW Group presents the iX3 with next-generation Neue Klasse systems

BMW Group presents the new iX3 at CES 2026, showcasing Neue Klasse technologies including AI voice assistance, Panoramic iDrive and sixth-generation eDrive systems.

The new BMW iX3 has taken center stage at CES 2026, serving as BMW Group’s primary showcase for a new generation of technologies that will define the upcoming Neue Klasse lineup. As the first series-production model of this platform, the iX3 illustrates how BMW envisions the future relationship between driver, vehicle, and digital systems.

A major highlight of the presentation is the next-generation BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, now expanded with Amazon Alexa+. According to BMW, this integration enables more natural and intuitive dialogue, allowing occupants to combine vehicle commands and broader information requests within a single interaction. The move underscores BMW’s focus on software-defined vehicles whose digital capabilities can continuously evolve.

User interaction in the iX3 is built around the new BMW Panoramic iDrive powered by BMW Operating System X. The system merges digital displays with physical controls while maintaining the brand’s core principle of keeping the driver’s hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. BMW positions this interface architecture as a foundation for future models across its portfolio.

The technical foundation of the BMW iX3 reflects equally far-reaching changes. The vehicle debuts the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology, featuring an 800-volt architecture and a newly developed high-voltage battery concept based on cylindrical cells. The battery is integrated into the vehicle structure as a load-bearing component, improving efficiency and reducing weight. BMW states that the iX3 achieves a WLTP range of up to 805 kilometers.

Charging capabilities form another core element of the CES presentation. The new iX3 supports high-power DC charging and introduces extensive bidirectional charging functions. These include Vehicle-to-Load, Vehicle-to-Home, and Vehicle-to-Grid applications, positioning the vehicle not only as a means of transport but also as a flexible energy resource.

Driving dynamics are managed by a new high-performance control unit known as Heart of Joy. This system coordinates drivetrain, braking, energy recuperation, and steering functions, processing data significantly faster than conventional control units. In combination with BMW Dynamic Performance Control, it is designed to enhance precision, stability, and efficiency in everyday driving.

Advanced driver assistance systems further illustrate BMW’s technological direction. Through BMW Symbiotic Drive, driver inputs blend seamlessly with electronic assistance, while the optional Highway Assistant allows hands-off driving on highways at speeds of up to 130 km/h, provided the driver remains attentive and ready to intervene.

Taken together, the innovations unveiled with the BMW iX3 at CES 2026 highlight the model’s role as more than just a new electric SUV. It functions as a technological blueprint for BMW’s future, with the company planning to roll out Neue Klasse technologies across around 40 new and updated models by 2027.