Yahoo Autos BMW’s Neue Klasse SUV Breaks Cover in Leaked Patent Illustrations
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There's been a lot of excitement surrounding BMW’s next generation of electric vehicles, which will arrive with a new styling philosophy. Known as the Neue Klasse models, these EVs (and their internal combustion variants) promise to hark back to the classic proportions and details that made BMW an icon in the 1960s. And now, thanks to the team at Autoweek in the Netherlands, we have our first peek at the production design for the upcoming 2026 BMW i3X.
The sneak preview comes by way of trademark filings discovered by the publication, which feature low-resolution renders of the i3X’s looks. The design language for this upcoming SUV was first previewed back in March with the arrival of the Vision Neue Klasse X Concept (seen at top). And while that design is clearly not a production-intent layout, many of its themes are notably carried over to the design featured in the filing.
The shape is a bit more traditional overall on the final vehicle, with the thin camera mirrors replaced with more normal-looking units and pop-out handles in place of the flush units found on the concept’s doors. The pillars are also a bit thinner here, probably owing to the realities of visibility requirements. The bumpers are a bit different, but that’s to be expected during the transition to a production-ready design.
The crossover isn’t quite as handsome as the concept overall, in this writer's opinion but we’ll have to wait and see how the detail work carries over. We expect to see a more toned-down version of the lighting package than was first seen in March, but the patent sketches don’t give us much of a hint about that.
While we don’t have specifics about the i3X quite yet, BMW has clarified a few things about the platform on which it is based. We know that it will use 800-volt architecture, allowing for short charge times at DC fast chargers. Battery packs are expected to range between 75 and 150 kWh, utilizing BMW’s new cylindrical battery cells in their construction. BMW says the batteries are 20 percent more energy-dense than the current units, and offer 30 percent improvements in range and charge speeds. The platform will also support both single and dual-motor powertrain for the iX3, though we expect a performance-oriented M50 model to join the lineup as well.
While the production model doesn’t look quite as imposing and impressive as the concept, we’re excited to see where BMW goes with its next generation of styling. A return to unanimously handsome machines will be a welcome one.
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