2025 BMW iX3: First official photos of the premium EV SUV
The first test vehicles have rolled off the production line at the new plant in Hungary.
The BMW Group plant in Debrecen, Hungary, shifts into first gear: production of test vehicles is underway and the first near-series vehicles of the all-electric X model of the Neue Klasse are rolling off the production line. This marks the start of the final preparation phase for the start of series production at the end of 2025.
The vehicle will probably be called the iX3. A new conventional X3 with combustion engines already exists. It will be similar to the upcoming 3 Series: combustion engines as a new edition on the existing platform, a purely electric i3 on the Neue Klasse platform.
Gallery: BMW X3 20 xDrive (2024)
The variants of the Neue Klasse architecture were announced in 2024:
- NAx for smaller models with rear- and all-wheel drive
- NBx for front and all-wheel drive
- NDx for luxury-class models with rear and all-wheel drive
- ZAx for electric sports cars from BMW M
Models with NAx are to be launched in 2025 and 2026, probably the BMW i3 and BMW iX3. The new BMW i1 and BMW i2 model series based on NBx will then follow in 2027 and 2028. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse announced: "In just under a year, series production of a Neue Klasse SAV model will start at our new plant in Debrecen, Hungary. Shortly afterwards, we will continue with a sporty saloon at our main plant in Munich."
New combustion X3 tested:
"The production of the first test vehicles in Debrecen is an important milestone for the commissioning of the new plant," added Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production. With the vehicles almost ready for series production, the entire logistics and production processes are now being tested under real conditions at the plant and are being continuously optimised to ensure a smooth start to series production.
On the way to series production
The integration of new models in a plant starts with the production of near-production vehicles - an important step in preparing for series production in Debrecen. The test vehicles go through all production steps. This also means that all logistics processes, production facilities and work steps of the plant employees must already be running smoothly. The processes are just as complex as in actual series production. Even if the number of parts is still small, they still have to be provided in the corresponding logistics processes.
Gallery: BMW New Class: First test vehicles roll off the production line
Materials and vehicle parts arrive at the Debrecen plant every day. Test vehicles are constantly rolling off the production line. Every part and every production step is scrutinised closely. Particular attention is paid to validating the state-of-the-art production systems and tools, including their digital connection.
The test run with the future vehicle model means that further optimisation potential can now be identified. For the coming months, this means refining the processes on the basis of the knowledge gained.
The new employees are also undergoing intensive training on the systems and machines during this phase. Close co-operation between all production areas ensures that all processes mesh smoothly during the start of series production.
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