BMW iX3 and i3 China launch now has firm dates. BMW China said on its official Weibo account on Monday, 9 November 2026, that the long-wheelbase Neue Klasse iX3 will launch on 25 November, with test drives and customer deliveries starting the same day, and that the Neue Klasse i3 sedan will launch at the Guangzhou Auto Show on 27 November. CnEVPost’s report on BMW China’s announcement notes that both cars will use uniform nationwide pricing.
That turns a vague “November deliveries” promise from August into a dated plan, and it gives the Neue Klasse sedan its first market launch in China.
When do the BMW iX3 and i3 launch in China?
The long-wheelbase BMW iX3 launches in China on 25 November 2026, with test drives and deliveries starting that day. The Neue Klasse i3 launches on 27 November at the Guangzhou Auto Show, where firm orders open immediately. Both use nationwide uniform pricing, so dealers should not quote different list prices.
The two cars follow different ordering paths. Customers who already reserved an iX3 can convert their reservation straight into a firm order. For the i3, BMW is skipping the small refundable deposit stage: buyers can lock in a firm order from launch day without a preliminary reservation, IT Home reported from the same announcement.
The Guangzhou Auto Show runs from 27 November to 6 December 2026 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, according to IT Home. BMW’s stand will also show a two-tone personalised 7 Series paint finish, a long-wheelbase 5 Series special edition, an X5 special edition and the China debut of the new MINI Countryman.
What does the China-only BMW iX3 offer?
The China iX3 is a long-wheelbase Neue Klasse SUV built by BMW Brilliance in Shenyang. It has a 3,005 mm wheelbase, 108 mm longer than the overseas car, an 800-volt system, sixth-generation eDrive and a roughly 108 kWh cylindrical-cell battery. BMW quotes more than 900 km of CLTC range at the top.
BMW opened reservations on 21 August at the Chengdu Auto Show and said pre-sale prices would match launch prices. The extra wheelbase goes mainly to rear-seat space. Charging from 10% to 80% takes 21 minutes, and a 10-minute charge adds about 400 km of CLTC range, BMW said.
| BMW iX3 (China long-wheelbase) | Detail |
|---|---|
| iX3 30L pre-sale price | 269,900 yuan (about $40,170) |
| iX3 40L xDrive pre-sale price | 299,900 yuan |
| iX3 50L xDrive pre-sale price | 339,900 yuan |
| Length / width / height | 4,885 / 1,895 / 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,005 mm (108 mm longer than overseas iX3) |
| Battery | About 108 kWh cylindrical cells, cell-to-pack |
| Top CLTC range | More than 900 km |
| Top output | 351 kW (477 hp), iX3 50L xDrive |
| Charging | 10-80% in 21 minutes; about 400 km in 10 minutes |
| Driver assistance | Developed with Momenta |
China-specific details go beyond the stretch. The car gets semi-hidden door handles that work electrically and mechanically, a driver-assistance system developed with Momenta for city and highway roads, and an infotainment system that supports Huawei HiCar and Apple CarPlay while integrating Alibaba and DeepSeek AI models.
What do we know about the Neue Klasse BMW i3 for China?
The Neue Klasse i3 is an all-electric sedan on the same 3,005 mm wheelbase. IT Home lists it at 4,864 mm long, 1,865 mm wide and 1,490 mm tall, with an 800-volt system, BMW’s new cylindrical-cell battery and a CLTC range above 1,000 km. Prices will be revealed at its 27 November launch.
BMW also said in October that a long-wheelbase Neue Klasse i3 50L covered 1,213 km in a real-world road test without recharging. That is a company-run test, not an independent or standardised result, so treat it as a claim. The i3 gets BMW’s Panoramic iDrive with a windscreen-base display, a 3D head-up display and a steering wheel that mixes physical and touch controls.
| Dimension | iX3 (China LWB) | i3 (China) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,885 mm | 4,864 mm | iX3 +21 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,865 mm | iX3 +30 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,490 mm | iX3 +145 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,005 mm | 3,005 mm | Same |
| CLTC range claim | More than 900 km | More than 1,000 km | i3 claims more |
BMW iX3 and i3 China Launch: what is confirmed and what is not?
Confirmed: the 25 and 27 November launch dates, same-day iX3 deliveries, uniform pricing, the iX3 pre-sale prices and both cars’ dimensions. Not confirmed: i3 prices and variant names, i3 battery size, exact range by variant and how quickly each city receives cars. BMW’s 1,213 km test is a company claim.
| Item | Status on 9 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| iX3 launch, test drives and deliveries on 25 November | Confirmed by BMW China (Weibo) |
| i3 launch and firm orders at Guangzhou on 27 November | Confirmed |
| Nationwide uniform pricing for both | Confirmed |
| iX3 prices: 269,900 / 299,900 / 339,900 yuan | Pre-sale prices; BMW said they match launch prices |
| i3 prices and variants | Not announced |
| i3 CLTC range above 1,000 km | Reported by IT Home from BMW information |
| 1,213 km i3 drive | BMW’s own October test claim |
| Gen 6 batteries made in Shenyang | Mass production announced 15 October |
What should BMW iX3 reservation holders in China do now?
Reservation holders should confirm their variant and delivery slot with their dealer before 25 November, because reservations convert directly into firm orders on launch day. Uniform nationwide pricing means the list price should not vary by dealer, so compare delivery timing, financing and insurance offers instead of sticker price.
The pre-sale prices give a clear ladder. Moving from the iX3 30L to the 40L xDrive costs 30,000 yuan and adds all-wheel drive. Moving from the 40L xDrive to the 50L xDrive costs another 40,000 yuan and brings the top 351 kW output and the longest range claim. BMW has not published per-variant range figures in the Monday announcement, so buyers should check final launch specifications before signing.
Test drives start on the same day as deliveries, so buyers who have not yet driven the car will be deciding with very little time between a showroom drive and a handover.
Why does this launch matter for BMW in China?
BMW needs a reset in its biggest market. BMW and MINI delivered about 376,000 cars in China in the first three quarters of 2026, down 21.8% year on year, CnEVPost reported. Its China joint venture has also reportedly cut about 1,800 jobs. Locally built Neue Klasse EVs are BMW’s main answer.
Localisation is the theme. Sixth-generation BMW batteries entered mass production in Shenyang on 15 October, initially for the iX3 and i3. The longer wheelbases, local driver-assistance partner and Chinese AI services all target buyers who compare German cars directly with Li Auto, Xpeng, Nio and BYD’s premium brands.
CarBike Insight Analysis
Two details tell us how seriously BMW is taking this. First, promising deliveries on launch day suggests BMW expects stock to be ready, which shortens the gap between a launch headline and a customer handover. Second, removing the i3’s preliminary deposit step is a confident move: BMW is betting that buyers will commit with full orders on day one.
The iX3’s pricing also matters. At 269,900 yuan, the entry iX3 30L lands in the price territory where Chinese premium EV brands compete hardest. BMW’s argument is brand, chassis tuning and an efficient 800-volt system, but it now has local software too. Indian readers should note that these are China-only long-wheelbase cars; BMW has not announced them for India.
For BMW’s earlier China-specific stretch, read our story on the long-wheelbase BMW 3 Series G58 filing. For the next Neue Klasse SUV, see our BMW iX4 2027 report, and browse more electric launches in our EV news section.
FAQ
When is the BMW iX3 launching in China?
BMW China says the long-wheelbase Neue Klasse iX3 launches on 25 November 2026, with test drives and customer deliveries starting the same day. Existing reservation holders can convert directly into firm orders under nationwide uniform pricing.
How much does the BMW iX3 cost in China?
Pre-sale prices announced in August are 269,900 yuan for the iX3 30L, 299,900 yuan for the 40L xDrive and 339,900 yuan for the 50L xDrive. BMW said pre-sale prices would match official launch prices.
When will the new BMW i3 launch in China?
The Neue Klasse i3 launches at the Guangzhou Auto Show on 27 November 2026, when firm orders open without a preliminary reservation. Prices and variants will be announced at launch.
Are the China BMW iX3 and i3 coming to India?
BMW has not announced either long-wheelbase China model for India. The iX3 is built by BMW Brilliance in Shenyang for China, and the Monday announcement makes no mention of exports.
Will China BMW iX3 buyers get same-day delivery?
Yes for the long-wheelbase iX3. BMW China says test drives and customer deliveries start on the 25 November 2026 launch day. The i3 sedan opens firm orders at Guangzhou on 27 November without a preliminary reservation stage.
- Nissan Sales Forecast Cut Again as China Slumps, but Profit Target Holds
- MLFF Toll: Centre Weighs Penalty and FIR as Unidentified Vehicles Skip Fees
- BYD Robotic Charging: Solar-Powered Flash Charger That Plugs In EVs by Itself
- Polestar Formula 2030 Concept Previews the Next Polestar 2, With Real Buttons
- Government EV Staff Cars: Centre Makes EVs the Default With a Rs 20 Lakh Cap