BMW iX3 prototype testing reveals groundbreaking Gen6 tech and smart systems

BMW unveils iX3 with 800km range, 400kW fast charging, Panoramic iDrive, Heart of Joy computer and bidirectional V2G system. Premieres at IAA 2025.

The final chapter of testing for the new BMW iX3 is unfolding in Miramas, southern France. But this isn't just another electric SUV — it’s the very first production model to emerge from BMW’s Neue Klasse platform. Its global debut is set for IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich this September, with production slated to begin by year’s end at BMW’s new plant in Debrecen, Hungary.

Engineers at BMW aren’t shy about calling this a technological leap — and the specs back them up. The iX3 will inaugurate BMW’s sixth-generation electric powertrain (Gen6), offering up to 800 km of range under the WLTP standard. This is made possible by a new cylindrical NMC cell battery, with projected capacities reaching 105 kWh. Even more striking: with 400kW charging capability and 800V architecture, drivers can replenish over 350 km of range in just 10 minutes.

The iX3 also redefines the driver’s interaction with the car. BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive merges multiple visual layers — from the full-width Panoramic Vision display on the windscreen, to a 3D Head-Up Display and matrix-lit central touchscreen. It’s all tied together with shy-tech steering wheel controls and voice activation via the Intelligent Personal Assistant.

At the heart of the driving experience is the aptly named “Heart of Joy” — a supercomputer that integrates powertrain, braking, regeneration, and steering. Capable of processing data ten times faster than previous systems, it ensures stable, intuitive handling and reduces driver intervention to a minimum. In fact, 98% of braking can now be achieved through recuperation alone — without using the mechanical brakes.

Another major innovation is the introduction of bidirectional charging. The iX3 can deliver power outward, whether it’s to external devices (V2L), a household (V2H), or even back to the grid (V2G). This turns the vehicle into a mobile energy asset — a timely innovation as grid flexibility becomes a key theme in the renewable transition.

BMW is also pushing the boundaries in driver assistance. The new iX3’s AI-supported system blends rule-based and learned behavior, enabling not just highway automation but also urban maneuvers — from roundabouts to stopping at red lights and restarting when they turn green.

Altogether, the iX3 positions itself as a benchmark in the electric SUV market. More than just a new model, it signals BMW’s ambition to fuse innovation with everyday usability — and perhaps, to set the tone for what electric driving should feel like.