BMW opens China pre-sales for long-wheelbase iX3

The Chengdu Auto Show has become the handoff point for BMW’s next electric bet in China: three long-wheelbase iX3 variants are now open for pre-sales, starting at 269,900 yuan and rising to 339,900 yuan. BMW says the pre-sale prices will match the final launch prices, and CnEVPost reports deliveries are scheduled to begin in November. The model will be built by BMW Brilliance at its Shenyang joint-venture plant.

The China-specific iX3 is not simply a stretched body. Its 3,005 mm wheelbase is 108 mm longer than the standard-wheelbase version, with the extra length primarily directed to second-row passengers. The cabin brings BMW’s Panoramic iDrive: a 17.9-inch central touchscreen, a nearly 40-inch 4K display projected across the lower windshield and a 3D head-up display. Huawei HiCar and Apple CarPlay sit alongside Alibaba’s AI large-language models and DeepSeek capabilities.

The electric hardware targets both range and time spent plugged in. The iX3 uses BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive system, an 800V high-voltage architecture and a roughly 108 kWh cylindrical-cell battery with Cell to Pack technology. Reports differ on range: one gives up to 900 km on the CLTC cycle, another says more than 900 km, while another cites 906 km for the launch edition and up to 912 km for the standard version. A 10-minute fast charge is reported to add about 400 km, while a 10% to 80% charge takes 21 minutes. The iX3 50L xDrive combines two motors for 351 kW (477 hp).

So what changes for buyers? For buyers, the China-focused model combines long-wheelbase rear accommodation, the new cockpit and an 800V platform with a starting price fixed nationwide. The local partnership with Momenta covers urban and highway assistance, while the software ecosystem integrates Chinese services.

There is still a timing detail to resolve. CnEVPost says deliveries will begin in November, but CarNewsChina reports that domestic production is scheduled to commence in January 2027. The reports do not establish which timetable will prevail. Until BMW clarifies that point, the iX3 is a pre-sale vehicle with a defined price and published specifications, not yet a widely delivered car.