BMW has announced that it will bring the iX3 to India in long wheelbase (LWB) guise. The standard iX3 was revealed in 2025 as the first model under the Neue Klasse EV range. Its LWB version is being developed for the Chinese market and will launch in India in 2027.
- The iX3 LWB's wheelbase is 108mm longer than the standard version.
- The eSUV will likely feature revisions to its chassis and suspension for our roads.
- It is expected to be powered by the standard iX3's dual-motor setup.
- iX3 LWB will arrive in 2027 as the carmaker's first 'Neue Klasse' model.
Why an iX3 long wheelbase for India?
As China has a huge demand for high-end luxury cars with long wheelbases, luxury carmakers have been selling LWB versions of their standard cars there for years. The trend has picked up in India over the last few years, and has been driven by the rise in chauffeur-driven customers who want to enjoy the benefit of additional rear legroom. India received its first taste of LWB in 2018 when Mercedes launched the E-Class long wheelbase. BMW hopped on the bandwagon later by launching the 3 Series Gran Limousine in 2021, and following up with LWB versions of the 5 Series, iX1, and 7 Series in the subsequent years. An LWB version of the i5 is also on the cards.
BMW iX3 LWB details
Gets a 108mm longer wheelbase than the standard iX3
In comparison to the standard iX3, which gets a 2,898mm wheelbase, the LWB version is longer by 108mm, bringing it to 3,006mm. The brand says this increases overall space and enhances rear seat comfort. As with the other LWB models in its lineup, its chassis and suspension setup are expected to be reworked for our road conditions.
Expect the standard iX3’s 108.7kWh battery pack to do duty in its LWB version. Based on an 800V architecture, it is paired to a dual-motor setup that produces 469hp and 645Nm of torque. In the standard iX3, it gets a claimed range of up to 805km on the WLTP cycle. It supports 400kW DC fast charging and 22kW AC charging speeds.
BMW iX3 LWB expected exterior and interior details
Overall design of the exterior and interior to remain unchanged except for longer rear doors
BMW previewed the iX3 LWB in January this year in prototype guise. The exterior design will largely remain similar to that of the standard version, which includes sharply designed LED headlamps and tail-lamps, a vertical grille, smooth body surfaces, a sporty look for the spoiler and rear bumper, and wheel sizes that could possibly range from 20 to 22 inches. An important design difference will be longer rear doors, like with most LWBs.
While images of its interior were not revealed, the iX3 LWB could retain the standard version's cabin layout, which includes a digital driver's display spanning the length of the windshield, a 17.9-inch infotainment system, an optional panoramic glass roof and a 4-spoke steering wheel with haptic feedback. The cabin is expected to offer multiple colour themes and seat finish options as well.
Suraj Viswanathan
Dhruv Dhaka
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
