New-gen electric small SUV nears! Will the BMW iX1 follow the 2026 BMW iX3 and 2027 i3 as the next model to benefit from the Neue Klasse EV tech?

BMW has just revealed one of its most critical models in decades, the all-new iX3.

Underpinned by completely new architecture that is electric first, digital and highly automated, the iX3 represents the first model of BMW’s game-changing Neue Klasse (new class) models.

The question now is, what’s next? And just how far will Neue Klasse spread across BMW’s model range?

At the Munich reveal of the iX3 earlier this month, BMW showed a glimpse of the next Neue Klasse model — the i3 electric sedan.

The i3 will go on sale next year in Europe and will beat the next-gen internal combustion 3 Series to market. The latter model will be built on a different platform, but it will feature Neue Klasse design cues and more.

The iX3 and i3 will be full Neue Klasse models, meaning a totally new electric architecture, new cylindrical battery packs, design language, four ‘superbrain’ computers, and in-car tech like the windscreen-width Panoramic Vision display.

The German giant has confirmed that 40 Neue Klasse derivatives will launch over the next four years. But that means these 40 unnamed models — which range from full model changeovers, facelifts and model year updates — will gain some, but not all elements of Neue Klasse.

That could range from the new Panoramic iDrive or design language, or both.

BMW is yet to announce what the models are, but the most likely to follow the i3 with a full Neue Klasse changeover is the next iX1.

Head of BMW Neue Klasse Mike Reichelt said, “it’s possible” when asked if the next model was likely to be iX1 or 1 Series.

The current X1 rolled out from late 2022 so it’s been around for three years now, pointing to a new-gen version some time in 2027 after the i3 goes on sale.

Reichelt did tell Australian journalists the larger models in BMW’s portfolio are not likely to benefit from full Neue Klasse changeover, however, models like the X5 and X7 will carry some of the new tech, even if they are based on another platform.

“The important thing is the Neue Klasse technology, including the [eDrive] Gen six, the round [battery] cells, the integration, the Panoramic iDrive. All this goes into these vehicles,” he said.

“In the bigger vehicles, especially in the higher vehicles, we’re having this problem to combine combustion engine architecture with competitive, fully electric architecture. And this was the way to say, maybe for us it is better to go in a flexible architecture, but use the same technology. You use the same design language. The customer doesn’t see the backbone underneath. Underneath is the other one. It's easier to integrate.”

This means future versions of models like the X5, X7 SUVs and larger sedans like the 5 and 7 Series will continue on enhanced versions of BMW’s CLAR platform that can house internal combustion, hybrid and electric powertrain.

Of course the iX3 will kick things off when it arrives in Australia next year. The fresh mid-size SUV will be offered with a number of electric powertrain variants, but so far BMW has only detailed one.

The iX3 50 xDrive features two electric motors - one on each axle - with total outputs of 345kW and 645Nm. This ensures all-paw grip and a brisk 0-100km/h dash time of 4.9sec, just 0.3sec slower than the turbo-petrol X3 M50.

It uses the sixth generation of BMW’s eDrive and comes with a high-voltage battery with cylindrical cells that improves charging speed by 30 per cent over the old model, and an EV driving range of up to 805km.

The new architecture has a maximum charging rate of 400kW, which, using an 800-volt DC charging station, would theoretically allow you to add 350km of charge in just 10 minutes, or to recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes. However, 800V charging stations are few and far between in Australia.