First Mass-Produced Neue Klasse Model
BMW Korea announced on March 3, 2026, that the next-generation Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), 'The New BMW iX3', scheduled for domestic release in the third quarter of this year, has garnered a series of awards at major global automotive ceremonies.
The fully electric SAV iX3 is the first mass-produced model embodying BMW's future vision under the 'Neue Klasse'. It captured both 'Car of the Year 2026' and 'Premium Electric SUV of the Year', as selected by the British automotive magazine What Car. Additionally, the iX3 claimed top honors in prestigious European awards such as 'Car of the Year 2026' by Top Gear and 'Swiss Car of the Year 2026'.
At the 'Golden Steering Wheel', Europe's most prestigious automotive award hosted by Germany's Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag, the iX3 won in the 'Best Innovation' category. It was also listed in the 'Next-Generation Electric SUV' category among the 'Best Inventions of 2025' chosen by TIME magazine in the United States.
In a reader poll conducted by the German automotive magazine Auto Motor und Sport, the iX3 ranked first in the 'Large SUV and Off-Road Vehicle' category, outperforming 69 competing models and further demonstrating its widespread popularity.
The iX3 has made a significant leap in electrification and digital technology by adopting advanced electronic and software architecture, including the high-performance control unit 'Heart of Joy' and four super brains, all designed to maximize driving pleasure.
Equipped with the sixth-generation BMW eDrive system, the iX3 sets a new standard for electrification with a maximum single-charge driving range of up to 805 kilometers (based on WLTP) and ultra-fast charging performance of up to 400kW. It also features a next-generation digital interface centered around the BMW Panoramic iDrive, and implements a new design language to embody the brand's future vision.
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