A BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase prototype drove more than 800 km on one charge around China’s Qinghai Lake, finishing with 2% battery and averaging 12.6 kWh/100 km. The Neue Klasse model indicated 835–840 km range potential despite climbs to 4,000 m, snow, rain, and temperatures from 1°C to 21°C.
The BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase has completed a real-world endurance run of more than 800 kilometers on a single charge, finishing with 2% battery capacity remaining and an average energy consumption of 12.6 kWh per 100 kilometers.
A BMW iX3 50L xDrive prototype fitted with 21-inch aerodynamic wheels drove the Qinghai Lake grand loop in China, departing from Xining and returning to its starting point. According to BMW, the result indicates a total range potential of 835 to 840 kilometers under the conditions of the challenge. The vehicle is the first model based on the company’s Neue Klasse architecture.
The route was conducted entirely on public roads under live traffic conditions. Starting in Xining at roughly 2,200 meters above sea level, the prototype climbed to nearly 4,000 meters before descending and completing the loop, covering an altitude difference of almost 2,000 meters that placed continuous demands on drivetrain efficiency, energy management, and thermal control.
Weather added further complexity, with the vehicle encountering heavy snowfall, intense rain, and strong high-altitude sunshine. Ambient temperatures ranged from 1°C to 21°C. The full route was driven in Efficient mode to reflect typical long-distance customer behavior.
BMW attributes the result to several Neue Klasse technologies operating as an integrated system. These include an aerodynamic concept aimed at minimizing energy losses at higher speeds, and BMW’s in-house Energy Master, which manages energy distribution according to route profile, temperature, and driving conditions.
The prototype uses BMW’s sixth-generation high-voltage battery, built around newly developed cylindrical cells with 108.7 kWh of usable energy. The company says the pack delivers higher energy density while optimizing packaging, weight, and vehicle rigidity. A newly developed drivetrain combining an electrically excited synchronous motor with an asynchronous motor reduces energy losses by up to 40% and increases overall drivetrain efficiency by up to 20%.
The vehicle’s Heart of Joy control system works with the energy recuperation system to recover energy during deceleration and downhill driving. BMW says braking can be achieved through recuperation alone in up to 98% of everyday driving situations. The integrated thermal management system maintains stable operating conditions across the rapid shifts between rain and snow, supporting both cabin comfort and consistent range.
The iX3 is the first production model based on the Neue Klasse. BMW says the challenge demonstrates that the architecture’s efficiency derives from the combination of aerodynamics, drivetrain, battery technology, thermal management, energy recuperation, and intelligent control systems rather than any single component.
