The BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase is the car Munich built specifically because Beijing asked for it. Stretching the Neue Klasse platform by 108 mm to a 3,005 mm wheelbase — longer than an X5 — BMW has created its first long-wheelbase electric SAV, and it will debut at Auto China 2026 in late April before hitting Chinese roads in the second half of the year.
800V Architecture and 900+ km Range
The iX3 LWB sits on BMW's sixth-generation eDrive technology with an 800-volt electrical architecture. The numbers that matter: over 900 km of CLTC range, 400 kW maximum DC charging capability, and a 10-80% charge time of approximately 21 minutes. BMW claims more than 400 km of range can be added in roughly ten minutes of charging.
For reference, the European-spec iX3 50 xDrive produces 463 hp (345 kW) and 476 lb-ft of torque from its dual-motor setup, hitting 62 mph in 4.9 seconds with a 130 mph top speed. The Chinese long-wheelbase variant is expected to match or exceed these figures, backed by a 108.7 kWh battery pack.
Built in China, Engineered for China
The "in China, for China, and with China" philosophy runs deeper than marketing copy. Approximately 70 percent of the iX3 LWB's software was developed locally by Chinese engineering teams. The intelligent personal assistant integrates Alibaba and DeepSeek large language models instead of the Western-market equivalents.
Navigation uses Amap for intersection and ramp visualization. The digital ecosystem ties into Huawei's HarmonyOS NEXT through Digital Key, HiCar connectivity, and the My BMW App. ADAS development for Chinese traffic conditions is handled through BMW's partnership with Momenta.
Panoramic iDrive and BMW OS X
Inside, the iX3 LWB runs BMW Operating System X through the Panoramic iDrive interface. The setup includes a 3D head-up display, a driver-oriented central display, and a multifunction steering wheel with illumination and haptic feedback.
The Heart of Joy control unit manages BMW Dynamic Performance Control, while a China-specific chassis and suspension setup aims to deliver the rear-seat comfort that long-wheelbase buyers in this market expect. A Soft Stop function smooths out braking behavior — a small detail that matters when your chauffeur is navigating Beijing traffic.
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality rounds out the spec sheet, allowing the iX3 to power external devices directly from its battery.
Markets and Competition
China gets the iX3 LWB first, manufactured by BMW Brilliance Automotive. Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India will follow. The direct competitor is the Mercedes GLC L with EQ Technology — another long-wheelbase electric SUV built specifically for Chinese tastes.
The iX3 Long Wheelbase represents BMW's clearest acknowledgment yet that the Chinese market doesn't just want German engineering adapted for local conditions. It wants German engineering developed from the ground up with Chinese partners, Chinese AI, and Chinese digital ecosystems baked into the architecture.
Auto China 2026 opens on April 24. The iX3 LWB will be one of the headliners.
