BMW reveals a longer and smarter iX3 for the Chinese market

Europe and the rest of the world are getting excited by the new iX3, but BMW shared the first look at its iX3 Long Wheelbase version. This vehicle is unique because BMW only plans to sell it in China. Drivers in Europe and the United States get a standard iX3, but the Chinese version is built to be bigger and more tech-focused. The German carmaker confirmed that the vehicle will make its official debut at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2026.

One of the biggest differences between this model and the one found in other countries is the size. A longer wheelbase usually means more room for passengers in the back seat - the Chinese iX3 has a wheelbase of 118.3 inches, while the version sold overseas has a wheelbase of 114 inches. That is a substantial difference of 4.33 inches and it makes a huge difference for legroom.

The overall size of the standard iX3 is 188.2 inches long, 74.6 inches wide, and 64.4 inches high. BMW did not give the exact total length for the Chinese version yet, but the extra space between the wheels makes it a much larger presence on the road.

The question is: why does China get this extra space? It turns out that many car owners prefer to sit in the back and have someone else drive them. Because of this, luxury brands often make "Long Wheelbase" versions of their cars specifically for that market.

There are some interesting quirks about the Chinese iX3 - the classic "kidney" design is called "Digital Angel Wings" and it glows, giving it a 3D effect. Drivers can choose from nine different paint colors - Mineral White, Arctic Grey, Marina Bay Blue, Space Silver, Blue Ridge Mountain, Carbon Black, Dune Grey, Flamenco Red, and Frozen Space Silver. If you look at the back of the car, you will see a badge that says "Brilliance BMW" in Chinese - this is because BMW works with a local company called Brilliance to build these EVs locally.

The battery is the same as in the global model - it has a capacity of 108kWh and uses BMW's newest 800 V tech. According to the Chinese testing standards, if you plug it into a fast charger, you can add 265 miles of driving range in just 10 minutes. The car also uses two motors, together delivering 345 kW of power (463 horsepower). It can go from a standstill to 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

Range is another area where this iX3 stands out. According to the Chinese CLTC, the iX3 can travel more than 559 miles on a single charge, using only 15.1kWh of electricity to travel 62 miles. It is worth noting that Chinese range tests are usually more generous than tests in the US or Europe - the WLTP test rated the new iX3 at 500 miles and if you want to know the real-life consumption of the new iX3, you can find it right here.

The interior of the car is where things get really high-tech. BMW teamed up with the Chinese giant Alibaba to create a smart cockpit. The design is the same as its German cousin's, but the car uses artificial intelligence from DeepSeek - the car can act like a smart assistant that understands what the driver wants. It also works with Huawei HiCar and the HarmonyOS system. These are very popular in China but are not used much in the US or Europe.

Another local feature is the auto-navigation system made by Momenta. This system helps the car drive itself on highways and on busy city streets. There is even a camera hidden in the roof spoiler at the back to help the car see everything behind it.

It might be disappointing for fans in other countries, but the iX3 Long Wheelbase is a clear sign of where the industry is going. BMW is putting its best batteries and its smartest software into a car tailored for one specific place. If you want the extra legroom and the AI co-pilot, you might need to book a flight to Beijing.

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