BMW aims to win back Chinese drivers with electric SUV and sedan
BMW is ramping up its electric vehicle offensive in China, showcasing two China-exclusive electric models at the ongoing 2026 Chengdu Motor Show, as the German premium automaker seeks to reverse lackluster sales of its luxury EVs in the world's largest auto market.
The automaker started pre-sales for its long-wheelbase Neue Klasse iX3 electric SUV at the auto event — the first of its kind — with three variants priced from 269,900 yuan to 339,900 yuan. BMW confirmed that the pre-sale price will match the final launch price, with mass deliveries scheduled to begin in November.
The China-specific iX3 features a 3,005 mm wheelbase and a CLTC range exceeding 900 kilometers. Built on BMW's cutting-edge Neue Klasse platform and 800V high-voltage system, the model achieves substantial upgrades in charging speed, energy utilization and electronic control stability compared with its predecessor.
Armed with the latest panoramic iDrive human-machine interaction system and upgraded intelligent driving suite, the new iX3 serves as a core pillar of BMW's electrification strategy in China.
The model has already gained strong traction overseas since its European launch in 2025, with cumulative orders across European markets nearing 100,000 units — a clear testament to the competitiveness of BMW's Neue Klasse technologies.
Joining the iX3 on stage is the China-exclusive eighth-generation BMW Neue Klasse i3 electric sedan. The model is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2027, further enriching BMW's mid-size luxury electric product portfolio in China.
Underpinning the intelligent driving capabilities of both models is BMW's deep collaboration with Momenta, a leading Chinese autonomous driving firm.
Powered by Momenta's state-of-the-art R7 reinforcement learning and world model framework, BMW's driver-assistance system has been AI-trained on over 15 billion kilometers of China-specific road data, ensuring robust performance across complex urban roads, highways, and suburban driving conditions nationwide.
