Right after New Year's Eve, our vigilant spy photographers went out eager to see what prototype/mule would become the subject of their camera lenses. And as it happens, it was the BMW Neue Klasse iX3 in pre-production form.
This tester was caught doing its thing in Northern Sweden's sub-freezing temperatures. And if you feel like you may have seen it before, you’re not wrong, as it was also captured before the Winter Holidays, albeit in a slightly warmer environment.
So, what has changed in the meantime? That would be absolutely nothing. It has the same face with an evolution of the brand's kidney grille flanked by LED headlights, a clean bumper design, and the same hood. The back end of the zero-emission crossover was partially covered in snow, making it even trickier to spot the taillamps, which still seemed provisional, just like the reflectors on the lower part of the rear bumper.
Traditional side mirrors are still on deck, and not the more futuristic-looking side cameras connected to a pair of screens on the inside. Even the wheels are identical. And speaking of the cockpit, our man with the cam managed to zoom in on it while the prototype was driving by, catching a glimpse of the widescreen setup that occupies a good chunk of the dashboard panel. More on the interior as the testing advances and the wraps start coming off its body, which we reckon will be later this year.
Photo: SH Proshots
But what exactly is the Neue Klasse iX3? Between us, BMW hasn't confirmed the iX3 moniker, though it is the replacement for this model in Europe and appears to sport a similar footprint, hence why it would be logical to bear this name. The production version is expected in roughly one and a half years from now, with the family also comprising internal combustion versions in the form of the refreshed X3, which is obviously good news, as it will offer shoppers many options to choose from.
As for the architecture underpinning this battery-electric model, it is said to support up to one megawatt of power. That is 1,341 hp (1,360 ps) to those keeping track of the horsepower. You shouldn't hold your breath for that much oomph, as it will likely be reserved for different models that are in the making at the Munich auto marque. Nevertheless, around half is expected on the rumored M variant of the upcoming iX3, which is also believed to be in the making as we speak.
Targeting the likes of the Mercedes EQC and Tesla Model Y, the BMW Neue Klasse iX3 will probably launch as a 2025 model, and it's clear that it won't be the prettiest in the segment. But would you buy one?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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