FiestaST
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Shooting Cars review of the new X3 M50
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The BMW X3 Thread
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FiestaST
Honorary Master
5000 miles in a six-cylinder X3: Is this the best warmed-up SUV?
The X3 M50 might not be a full-fat M car, but its 353bhp proves enough to spice up a commute
The BMW X3 M is one of those cars that has a reputation for attracting a certain kind of buyer. But actually its buyer base is much broader than you might think, because it has always been a very capable and very practical performance car.
Like a taller, roomier version of the M3. So there is good reason for people to be disappointed that BMW's performance division probably isn't going to give us a new X3 M - not one with a combustion engine, at least.
And yes, this means that, despite its aggressive appearance and lofty price, the range-topping X3 you see here is not an M car. Instead, it's an M Performance car-an X3 M50.
The expected ditching of the X3 M isn't the only way in which this model range has changed. The X3 was first produced in 2003 (22 years ago!) as an SUV version of the 3 Series, which made relative sense. Use the 3 Series chassis, add a bit of ride height, make sure it gets four-wheel drive and voilà: you have something to market. You might even argue that BMW was hedging its bets slightly, having offloaded the manufacturing to Magna Steyr.
Today, things look different for the X3. It's now BMW's best seller, made in the US and South Africa at full-time BMW plants, and it sits on the same platform as the current 5 Series and next-generation 3 Series. So in several respects it has quite convincingly outgrown its status as an extension of the 3 Series.
www.autocar.co.uk
The X3 M50 might not be a full-fat M car, but its 353bhp proves enough to spice up a commute
The BMW X3 M is one of those cars that has a reputation for attracting a certain kind of buyer. But actually its buyer base is much broader than you might think, because it has always been a very capable and very practical performance car.
Like a taller, roomier version of the M3. So there is good reason for people to be disappointed that BMW's performance division probably isn't going to give us a new X3 M - not one with a combustion engine, at least.
And yes, this means that, despite its aggressive appearance and lofty price, the range-topping X3 you see here is not an M car. Instead, it's an M Performance car-an X3 M50.
The expected ditching of the X3 M isn't the only way in which this model range has changed. The X3 was first produced in 2003 (22 years ago!) as an SUV version of the 3 Series, which made relative sense. Use the 3 Series chassis, add a bit of ride height, make sure it gets four-wheel drive and voilà: you have something to market. You might even argue that BMW was hedging its bets slightly, having offloaded the manufacturing to Magna Steyr.
Today, things look different for the X3. It's now BMW's best seller, made in the US and South Africa at full-time BMW plants, and it sits on the same platform as the current 5 Series and next-generation 3 Series. So in several respects it has quite convincingly outgrown its status as an extension of the 3 Series.
I spent 5000 miles in BMW's new six-cylinder sports SUV – is it the ultimate daily driver? | Autocar
The X3 M50 might not be a full-fat M car, but its 353bhp proves enough to spice up a commute
www.autocar.co.uk
FiestaST
Honorary Master
The 2026 BMW iX3 is getting Amazon’s new Alexa+ AI
Talking to your car used to feel like talking to a brick wall. You had to memorize specific phrases, and if you messed up just one word, the car literally blinked at you. BMW wants to change that. At the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the German carmaker showed off a new version of its EV that can actually carry on a conversation. The 2026 BMW iX3 is the first vehicle to use Amazon's new Alexa+ technology, making the EVs of the future feel a lot more like a helpful companion and a lot less like a confused Nintendo 64.
The new system is called the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Instead of just following simple orders, it uses a Large Language Model (LLM), helping the car to understand how people really talk. You don't have to say "Set temperature to 28 degrees" anymore. You can just say, "Hey BMW, I'm a bit chilly and I'm hungry for pizza." The car will warm up the seats and find a high-rated Italian restaurant on your route. It can even handle several questions at once. You could ask about the weather in the next town, how much battery life you have left, and who won the big game, all in one breath.
The new BMW iX3 is not just a smart talker; it is a serious piece of machinery. This SUV is part of BMW's Neue Klasse, which is German for "New Class." It sits on a brand-new architecture designed only for electric cars. The iX3 is 4,782 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,635 mm tall. It has plenty of room inside for five people and their gear. The trunk can hold 520 l of luggage. If you fold the back seats down, that space grows to a massive 1,750 l. There is even a small 58-l storage spot under the hood, often called a "frunk," which is perfect for charging cables or a small grocery bag.
Under the floor of the BMW iX3 sits a huge 108 kWh battery. This battery uses an 800V system, which allows the car to charge much faster than older EVs. If you find a powerful 400 kW charger, you can add about 350 km of range in just 10 minutes. That is barely enough time to buy a snack and use the restroom. On a full charge, the iX3 50 xDrive model can travel up to 800 km according to European tests, though American estimates suggest still a very respectable 643 km.
When it comes to speed, the BMW iX3 does not disappoint. The 50 xDrive model has two electric motors that deliver 463 horsepower. This allows the SUV to zip from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.7 seconds. Even though it is a heavy vehicle, it handles curves with ease thanks to a new software system BMW calls the "Heart of Joy." This system manages the motors, brakes, and steering to make sure the ride is smooth and fun. It also uses sixth-generation electric motors that are 10% lighter and 40% more efficient than the ones BMW used just a few years ago.
Inside the cabin, the dashboard looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. There is a giant 45.5-cm (17.9-inch) screen in the middle, but the coolest part is the BMW Panoramic Vision. This is a display that stretches across the entire bottom of the windshield. It projects information like your speed and navigation directions right where you are looking. And because the new iX3 now uses Amazon's Alexa+ architecture, you can link your car to your Amazon account. This lets you stream music from your library or check on your smart home devices while you are stuck in traffic.
www.arenaev.com
www.press.bmwgroup.com
Talking to your car used to feel like talking to a brick wall. You had to memorize specific phrases, and if you messed up just one word, the car literally blinked at you. BMW wants to change that. At the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the German carmaker showed off a new version of its EV that can actually carry on a conversation. The 2026 BMW iX3 is the first vehicle to use Amazon's new Alexa+ technology, making the EVs of the future feel a lot more like a helpful companion and a lot less like a confused Nintendo 64.
The new system is called the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Instead of just following simple orders, it uses a Large Language Model (LLM), helping the car to understand how people really talk. You don't have to say "Set temperature to 28 degrees" anymore. You can just say, "Hey BMW, I'm a bit chilly and I'm hungry for pizza." The car will warm up the seats and find a high-rated Italian restaurant on your route. It can even handle several questions at once. You could ask about the weather in the next town, how much battery life you have left, and who won the big game, all in one breath.
The new BMW iX3 is not just a smart talker; it is a serious piece of machinery. This SUV is part of BMW's Neue Klasse, which is German for "New Class." It sits on a brand-new architecture designed only for electric cars. The iX3 is 4,782 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,635 mm tall. It has plenty of room inside for five people and their gear. The trunk can hold 520 l of luggage. If you fold the back seats down, that space grows to a massive 1,750 l. There is even a small 58-l storage spot under the hood, often called a "frunk," which is perfect for charging cables or a small grocery bag.
Under the floor of the BMW iX3 sits a huge 108 kWh battery. This battery uses an 800V system, which allows the car to charge much faster than older EVs. If you find a powerful 400 kW charger, you can add about 350 km of range in just 10 minutes. That is barely enough time to buy a snack and use the restroom. On a full charge, the iX3 50 xDrive model can travel up to 800 km according to European tests, though American estimates suggest still a very respectable 643 km.
When it comes to speed, the BMW iX3 does not disappoint. The 50 xDrive model has two electric motors that deliver 463 horsepower. This allows the SUV to zip from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.7 seconds. Even though it is a heavy vehicle, it handles curves with ease thanks to a new software system BMW calls the "Heart of Joy." This system manages the motors, brakes, and steering to make sure the ride is smooth and fun. It also uses sixth-generation electric motors that are 10% lighter and 40% more efficient than the ones BMW used just a few years ago.
Inside the cabin, the dashboard looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. There is a giant 45.5-cm (17.9-inch) screen in the middle, but the coolest part is the BMW Panoramic Vision. This is a display that stretches across the entire bottom of the windshield. It projects information like your speed and navigation directions right where you are looking. And because the new iX3 now uses Amazon's Alexa+ architecture, you can link your car to your Amazon account. This lets you stream music from your library or check on your smart home devices while you are stuck in traffic.
The 2026 BMW iX3 is getting Amazon’s new Alexa+ AI
BMW is launching the 2026 iX3 with a new Amazon-powered AI assistant that allows drivers to have natural, multi-step conversations with their vehicle.
www.arenaev.com
A Milestone for Human-Vehicle Interaction. BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant expanded to include Amazon Alexa + Technology.
+++ New level of natural dialogue enabled with integrated AI assistant, debuting in the new BMW iX3 +++ Available in Germany and the US at market launch 2026 +++ Presentation at CES 2026 +++
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BMW teases the 2026 iX3 long-wheelbase for the Chinese market
BMW is working on a new version of its new and already popular SUV. The company shared details about the BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase - quite a different vehicle from the standard iX3 we usually see. It was designed specifically for customers in China who want more room in the back. Unfortunately, the rest of the world gets only the standard model; this stretched version is meant to satisfy the unique tastes of the Chinese market.
The most obvious change is the size. BMW added 108 mm to the distance between the front and back wheels. This makes the iX3 much more comfortable for people sitting in the rear seats. In China, many luxury car owners prefer to be driven around rather than driving themselves. This extra space turns the back of the SUV into a small lounge. But even with the longer body, BMW says the car still feels sporty and easy to steer.
The stretched iX3 uses the same 800V architecture that we already know from the standard version. Thanks to the new tech, the car can charge very fast - if you find a powerful charger (and there are plenty of those in China), the iX3 can handle up to 400 kW of power.
This allows the car to add about 400 km of driving range in just 10 minutes. For those who are worried about how far they can go, the car has a total range of more than 900 km. That is a long way to travel before needing a plug, but the extra mileage isn't the result of a bigger battery. BMW missed the trick here; the longer range is just a result of China's CLTC testing scheme, known for being extremely optimistic.
www.arenaev.com
BMW is working on a new version of its new and already popular SUV. The company shared details about the BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase - quite a different vehicle from the standard iX3 we usually see. It was designed specifically for customers in China who want more room in the back. Unfortunately, the rest of the world gets only the standard model; this stretched version is meant to satisfy the unique tastes of the Chinese market.
The most obvious change is the size. BMW added 108 mm to the distance between the front and back wheels. This makes the iX3 much more comfortable for people sitting in the rear seats. In China, many luxury car owners prefer to be driven around rather than driving themselves. This extra space turns the back of the SUV into a small lounge. But even with the longer body, BMW says the car still feels sporty and easy to steer.
The stretched iX3 uses the same 800V architecture that we already know from the standard version. Thanks to the new tech, the car can charge very fast - if you find a powerful charger (and there are plenty of those in China), the iX3 can handle up to 400 kW of power.
This allows the car to add about 400 km of driving range in just 10 minutes. For those who are worried about how far they can go, the car has a total range of more than 900 km. That is a long way to travel before needing a plug, but the extra mileage isn't the result of a bigger battery. BMW missed the trick here; the longer range is just a result of China's CLTC testing scheme, known for being extremely optimistic.
BMW teases the 2026 iX3 long-wheelbase for the Chinese market
BMW is launching a roomier, long-wheelbase version of its all-electric iX3 SUV exclusively for the Chinese market, featuring ultra-fast charging and a {{900-km}} range.
www.arenaev.com
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Auto Social UK review of the X3 M50
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WATCH | Could this be BMW’s best X3 SUV yet?
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The comments are worth a few head shakes 
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BMW struggles to keep up with demand as new iX3 sells out through 2026
BMW is finding out exactly how much people want its newest electric cars. The German automaker recently launched the iX3, the first model in its "Neue Klasse" lineup, a fresh start for the company's EV technology. Even though customers have not yet sat behind the wheel, they are lining up to buy it. In fact, demand is so high that the iX3 is nearly sold out until the end of 2026.
The car made its first appearance last autumn and immediately grabbed the spotlight. Since then, the iX3 has accounted for roughly one-third of all BMW electric car orders in Europe. This is a massive achievement for a single model. Usually, car companies have to work hard to convince people to try a brand-new platform. In this case, the shoppers did not need much convincing. They seem to love the modern look and the new technology BMW promised.
To deal with this surge in orders, BMW has to change its manufacturing plans. The company builds these EVs at a brand-new factory in Debrecen, Hungary - BMW's first site designed only to build electric cars. The factory is still in its "ramp-up" phase, meaning it is slowly reaching full speed. Originally, BMW planned to increase production gradually. Now, the company is moving up the schedule for a second work shift to build more cars faster.
The Debrecen plant will eventually produce about 150,000 electric cars every year, but the current pace is not enough to satisfy the hungry market. Deliveries of the iX3 do not even begin until March. Despite that, most of the cars scheduled for production over the next 12 months are already spoken for. By adding extra shifts early, BMW hopes to prevent customers from waiting until 2027 to get their new keys.
www.arenaev.com
BMW is finding out exactly how much people want its newest electric cars. The German automaker recently launched the iX3, the first model in its "Neue Klasse" lineup, a fresh start for the company's EV technology. Even though customers have not yet sat behind the wheel, they are lining up to buy it. In fact, demand is so high that the iX3 is nearly sold out until the end of 2026.
The car made its first appearance last autumn and immediately grabbed the spotlight. Since then, the iX3 has accounted for roughly one-third of all BMW electric car orders in Europe. This is a massive achievement for a single model. Usually, car companies have to work hard to convince people to try a brand-new platform. In this case, the shoppers did not need much convincing. They seem to love the modern look and the new technology BMW promised.
To deal with this surge in orders, BMW has to change its manufacturing plans. The company builds these EVs at a brand-new factory in Debrecen, Hungary - BMW's first site designed only to build electric cars. The factory is still in its "ramp-up" phase, meaning it is slowly reaching full speed. Originally, BMW planned to increase production gradually. Now, the company is moving up the schedule for a second work shift to build more cars faster.
The Debrecen plant will eventually produce about 150,000 electric cars every year, but the current pace is not enough to satisfy the hungry market. Deliveries of the iX3 do not even begin until March. Despite that, most of the cars scheduled for production over the next 12 months are already spoken for. By adding extra shifts early, BMW hopes to prevent customers from waiting until 2027 to get their new keys.
BMW struggles to keep up with demand as new iX3 sells out through 2026
BMW is accelerating production at its new Hungarian factory as the new iX3 electric SUV nearly sells out through 2026.
www.arenaev.com
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Honorary Master
Shooting Cars review of the 2013 X3 35i M Sport
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CarExpert first look at the new iX3
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Drive.com.au first look at the new iX3
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Tim Rodie Drives Stuff first drive of the new iX3
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Nick O'Leary first drive of the new iX3