BMW has been hyping its Neue Klasse family of electric vehicles for a while, but the first will finally be revealed this year, a compact crossover forming part of the X3 family. It is likely to be badged an iX3, which is the name BMW used on a previous-generation electric X3 sold outside the U.S.

The current 5-Series arrived for the 2024 model year and, in keeping with BMW tradition, should receive a mid-cycle refresh—or Life Cycle Impulse (as BMW calls it)—for the 2028 model year. This means the updated 5-Series will likely debut sometime in 2027. A similarly updated version of the high-performance M5 has also been spotted testing.

Group design director Adrian van Hooydonk confirmed the Neue Klasse series will start with the iX3 launch this year, before this one follows in 2026. They’ll have those fancy Gen6 batteries, a radical new electronic architecture, and an interior space that wouldn’t look out of place in a sci-fi movie.

BMW i3 saloon snapped on test► Next-gen electric 3-series► Full scoop on 2026 i3 range You’re looking fresh photographs of the new 2026 BMW i3 testing – the all-electric replacement for Munich’s bestselling 3-series.

The German carmaker has given its new software-defined line-up a digital nervous system, in a step closer to Robotic World Domination