New Delhi: BMW have developed an iX3 Long Wheelbase, which at present is exclusive for the Chinese market and will be globally revealed during the upcoming Beijing Auto Show 2026. This will be the brand’s first long-wheelbase EV made on their Neue Klasse architecture, scheduled to be launched in the second half of the 2026. BMW have even confirmed its India arrival as well.
BMW iX3 LWB comes with a wheelbase extended by 108 mm and will offer good back seat comfort and space, factors that are important for both the Indian and Chinese markets. BMW have further claimed that the new design won’t compromise as an SUV in terms of driving dynamics, which makes sense as the model comes with an exclusive chassis and suspension configuration that maintains a refined driving experience over different road surfaces.
BMW iX3 LWB software and features
BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase exterior
The iX3 LWB will come with the newest Panoramic iDrive, a pillar-to-pillar display that stretches across the base of the entire windshield. This will work alongside the 17.9-inch display on the centre console and an optional 3D HUD. All of this are underpinned by the newest BMW Operating System X, that combined about 70 per cent of locally made software engineering. Customers also add features like a 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a panoramic moonroof and three-zone auto climate control.
BMW iX3 LWB powertrain
The iX3 LWB comes with the same 800-volt Neue Klasse architecture that debuted with the regular iX3. This brings with it the six-generation eDrive system featuring newly-made electrical motors that derive power from high-density cylindrical cells. BMW haven’t revealed the battery capacities for the Neue Klasse models yet, but it remains confident about the range.
The regular iX3 has a claimed range of about 800 km in a single-charge range on the WLTP cycle, and the long wheelbase model is claimed to enable 900 km CLTC range. With a 400 kW charging ability, the SUV can have a 400 km range charged in just 10 minutes, while 10-80 per cent charging will take about 21 minutes.
BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase likely to arrive in India as well
The iX3 LWB is at present going through development and validation programmes. After that, it will be on display at the Beijing Auto 2026, set to happen towards the end of April. It is going to be launched in China during the second half of the year before coming to India. For now, the iX3 LWB is going to be limited to China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.