More details of the Chinese BMW iX3 revealed

BMW wants to sell more electric cars in China, and it believes the secret is a longer body. The German carmaker got the official go-ahead to build and sell its new iX3 in the Chinese market. This version of the SUV is different - it is much longer than the one sold in the rest of the world. Chinese drivers love big cars with plenty of space in the back, and BMW is happy to give them exactly what they want.

The new BMW iX3 50L is a joint project between the German brand and its Chinese partner, Brilliance. They build these EVs in Northern China using many parts from local companies. We first saw this car testing on the road as far back as August 2025. After the company revealed the new iX3 only a short while ago, the Chinese government has now given the car a sales license. This means it is ready for mass production and will show up at the Beijing Auto Show for its public debut.

The most obvious change to this iX3 is its size. BMW stretched the body of the car by 4.06 inches compared to the global version. This brings the total length to 192.3 inches. The wheelbase grew even more. It is now 118.3 inches, which is 4.25 inches longer than the standard model. Most of this extra space goes to the people sitting in the back seats, giving them more room to stretch their legs.

Even though the car is longer, it did not gain a lot of weight. It weighs 5,227 lb, which is only 24 lb more than the shorter version. The car stands 64.4 inches tall and 74.6 inches wide. It looks like a proper SUV, but it sits on very large 22-inch wheels. These wheels use different tire sizes for the front and back to help with grip. The front tires are 255/35, and the rear tires are wider at 275/35.

The Chinese iX3 is not just bigger; it is also a bit more powerful. It uses two electric motors to drive all four wheels. The motor in the front produces 116 kW, which is about 156 hp. The motor in the back is much stronger, providing 235 kW or 315 hp. When both motors work together, the car reaches a total of 351 kW. That is equal to 471 hp. This makes it slightly more powerful than the global model, which has 345 kW.

With all that power, this SUV can reach a top speed of 130 mph. To keep the motors running, BMW uses a battery made by Eve Energy, the same company that makes batteries for Tesla. We do not know exactly how far the car can travel on a full charge yet, but we know that BMW assembles the entire battery pack itself at its factory in China.

BMW did not change the way the car looks from the outside too much. It still has the kidney-shaped grille and large headlights that people expect from the brand. However, the tech inside is very fresh. The car uses a driving system from Momenta. It helps the car drive itself on highways and in the city. It can change lanes and follow navigation all on its own, making long trips much easier for the driver.

Buyers in China will have many ways to customize their EVs. BMW plans to offer nine different colors, including classic choices like Mineral White and Carbon Black, but also more interesting options like Blue Ridge Mountain, Flamenco Red, and Frozen Space Silver. Inside, the car has five seats, and the extra length ensures that every passenger feels like they are in a luxury lounge.

BMW is launching the iX3 50L because the market in China is very tough right now. In 2025, BMW and Mini sold about 625,500 cars - 12.5% less than the year before. Sales have fallen back to where they were in 2018. There is a "price war" going on, where car companies are cutting prices to win customers. This has even caused some BMW dealerships to close down.

The new iX3 is a big part of BMW's plan to win back drivers. By making a car that is specifically designed for what Chinese buyers like - more space and high-tech features - the company hopes to sell more EVs. The long-wheelbase version follows a tradition for the brand since it already sells "L" versions of its 3-Series, 5-Series, and X5 models in China.

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