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THE FIRST OF A NEW ERA. Opening a new era for premium electric vehicles.
BMW Korea unveiled the next-generation, battery-electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), the New BMW iX3, in South Korea, signaling a generational shift in the premium EV market. Priced above 80 million KRW (about $60,000), the model cleared 2,000 preorders within three days—an unusually swift response from buyers.
At an open studio staged at the ‘BMW Charging Hub Lounge’ in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd, the New BMW iX3 presented a radically new face under BMW’s Neue Klasse mobility vision.
Germany took six weeks — here it happened in three days: early adopters and affluent buyers drove demand
The New BMW iX3’s early momentum is striking. Reaching more than 2,000 advance orders in just three days is a far steeper pace than in Germany, where it took six weeks to pass 3,000 orders. Industry analysts say the surge reflects a concentration of tech-savvy early adopters and pent-up demand from buyers waiting for a luxury EV offering.
The New BMW iX3 is significant as the first production car to incorporate Neue Klasse technologies that BMW frames as its future standard. This is not a simple model-year tweak or facelift; BMW has reset standards across engineering, design and user experience (UX).
The instrument cluster is gone… Panoramic iDrive projects a bold vision of the future
Up close, the iX3’s exterior pairs a vertical kidney grille with sharp twin headlights for a look that’s both refined and assertive. Designers removed the lower molding to create a seamless transition between the glass and the body. Eliminating wheel-arch cladding and adding precise contour lines enhances the car’s premium, sculpted appearance. BMW’s new badge on the front and rear reinforces the upscale intent.
The real leap forward is inside. The standout is the BMW Panoramic iDrive. Instead of a traditional instrument cluster, a band-shaped display stretches across the base of the windshield to present driving data and vehicle status intuitively. Drivers can keep their eyes farther down the road while still seeing key information at a glance.
The center display also breaks with the recent rectangular \”tablet\” trend. BMW adopted an ergonomically sculpted shape that gives the cabin a more futuristic feel. A small physical control sits at the inner corner near the driver to manage vehicle settings—a thoughtful detail that improves both design cohesion and driver convenience.
A strong family car as well — roomy, practical and quick
Built on a dedicated EV platform, the cabin is notably spacious. The flat floor, with no center tunnel, improves rear-seat comfort, and the large panoramic sunroof enhances the sense of openness—features likely to appeal to family buyers. Both the front trunk (frunk) and the rear cargo area offer generous capacity.
Performance is impressive. BMW equipped the iX3 with sixth-generation eDrive technology and an 800V high-voltage system, delivering up to 805 km (WLTP), roughly 500 miles. Even accounting for a typical 20–30% real-world reduction, drivers should still expect substantial range. With 400 kW-class fast charging, the car can gain about 372 km (approximately 231 miles) of range in just 10 minutes—charging performance that addresses a long-standing pain point for EV owners.
BMW plans an official South Korea launch in the third quarter, initially offering two trims. Pricing: New BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport — 86.9 million KRW (about $65,175); New BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport Pro — 91.9 million KRW (about $68,925).
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