[EVGirl]

What do we think to the new Neue Klasse X pictures released this morning on Autocar?

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...-electric-suvs

[Geordie EV]

Really nice, not sure about the cushions in the back though!

[EVGirl]

Yes, it's much better looking than I thought it was going to be although the grill leds do look a bit garish!
I agree the cushions look a bit OTT!
I think the interior is a bit too Teslafied and the lack of an iDrive controller fills me with apprehension after having them for 16 years.

[greyt]

Video showing more detail :

[GDEvans]

Originally Posted by Geordie EV

Really nice, not sure about the cushions in the back though!

They are acknowledging that not everybody finds the seats comfortable. My partner will be pleased!

[JAV64]

Its a really good looking car and I like the large windows. It will make the interior more open and spacious. Guess when it comes it will be about £10k more than the current version.

[footie]

I have my name down for it, just hoping there’s at least an M60 version.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Yeah, saw it, not sure what to think about it just yet...

[brownejp]

The Exterior looks great. The interior I'm not sold on. It looks pretty unfinished. The steering wheel is not good. There were no door bins front or back.
I like the panoramic heads up display. Hopefully it will be a useful replacement to the instrument cluster which I like to have.
Shame its not an opening sunroof. I like the way they have it implemented on the current iX3.
I liked when Thomas in the video said that they were looking to simplify the options packages. Thats what they have done with the current iX3 which I liked.

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by brownejp

The Exterior looks great. The interior I'm not sold on. It looks pretty unfinished. The steering wheel is not good. There were no door bins front or back.
I like the panoramic heads up display. Hopefully it will be a useful replacement to the instrument cluster which I like to have.
Shame its not an opening sunroof. I like the way they have it implemented on the current iX3.
I liked when Thomas in the video said that they were looking to simplify the options packages. Thats what they have done with the current iX3 which I liked.

As an iX3 driver, I didn’t like the simplification of the options, particularly as some options were not offered on the iX3 but there were on the X3, making it feel cheaper

[EVGirl]

I wonder if there will be a "frunk" this time. I can also only see one charging flap on the video. It would be better if it had two. That would make it much easier to use on Tesla chargers.

[keninuk]

Personally I don't want or need anything wider than my iX3 next time and preferably no longer but this seems to indicate that it will have a larger footprint.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2024/03/23/b...aller-than-x5/

iDrive X or whatever they will call it looks interesting but I am again concerned about the Navigation which I think will be using Mapbox as the basis for its development. I really don't want to spend thousands more than the iX3 (Paid £62,730 for M Sport Pro) and feel that Android Auto provides me the best route guidance/POI database but inferior car specific guidance based on range/charging stops.

I plan to buy my car next March at the end of the PCP and keep it until I want to change it so I can play a waiting game.

Whilst I probably wouldn't go for a Ford+MEB platform, their Digital Experience looks promising and Mercedes will be using Google based navigation in MB.OS on their new platforms which I certainly want to look at when available. The new GLA or the GLC which I believe will be no bigger could be where my money goes next time.

Due to VW having late/awful software the new Porsche Macan EV is using full Google/GAS and whilst it is bigger than I would like, I would probably consider a used one in about 3 years time.

Another concern I have about the Neue Klasse is the battery pack and whether it can be repaired. It is all very well packing/glueing in batteries as tight as possible to gain extra miles but if the slightest issue or damage requires a complete new pack then insurance prices will only go one way.

[silent ninja]

Not completely sold

- external design looks like it has less presence and muscularity. The design doesn't have as much weight as current designs.
- the pillars look thin and big windows. Not sure how this will fare in a crash test so we might see some design changes
- front illuminated grill is naff, so too are the door handles which are unlikely to stay for the production model
- I thought they'd maintain the X3 dimensions but recover more internal space due to packaging. It looks like it's going to be bigger than the current X3. I really want to know if you can fit 3 adults across the back.

- internal has gone for a living room aesthetic, but it looks hipster to me. It's a sanitised future design, which means it lacks character. Maybe in person it will be better.
- the vision display across the windscreen looks great
- steering wheel seems a bit odd, which way is up at a glance?
- I wish they'd design better wheels; that's the only negative on the current iX3 Pro. We don't need blingy wheels.

It's an improvement on the iX. Overall it looks somewhat promising and I'm curious to see the production car in real life.

[EVGirl]

Originally Posted by silent ninja

Not completely sold

- external design looks like it has less presence and muscularity. The design doesn't have as much weight as current designs.
- the pillars look thin and big windows. Not sure how this will fare in a crash test so we might see some design changes
- front illuminated grill is naff, so too are the door handles which are unlikely to stay for the production model
- I thought they'd maintain the X3 dimensions but recover more internal space due to packaging. It looks like it's going to be bigger than the current X3. I really want to know if you can fit 3 adults across the back.

- internal has gone for a living room aesthetic, but it looks hipster to me. It's a sanitised future design, which means it lacks character. Maybe in person it will be better.
- the vision display across the windscreen looks great
- steering wheel seems a bit odd, which way is up at a glance?
- I wish they'd design better wheels; that's the only negative on the current iX3 Pro. We don't need blingy wheels.

It's an improvement on the iX. Overall it looks somewhat promising and I'm curious to see the production car in real life.

Completely agree, I'm reserving judgement, for the time being. Bigger is not great, I previously had an X5 which I found too big!

[GDEvans]

Originally Posted by keninuk

iDrive X or whatever they will call it looks interesting but I am again concerned about the Navigation which I think will be using Mapbox as the basis for its development. I really don't want to spend thousands more than the iX3 (Paid £62,730 for M Sport Pro) and feel that Android Auto provides me the best route guidance/POI database but inferior car specific guidance based on range/charging stops.

My 8 year old, £100 TomTom is a better sat nav than the BMW built in software!!

[admranger]

I like the exterior design. I am not a fan of the interior design with the exception of the ribbon screen at near heads up level.

If I get one of these it'll be for 'in town' type usage: Costco, groceries, and routine type stuff.

Time will tell if the interior gets changed to include more physical knobs/buttons (please don't make me dig 4 layers down to find the seat heater or surround view camera) and additional interior storage cubbies.

@bmw needs to recognize that after 30 years of only owning BMWs (other than trucks to tow the race car), I now own a different brand's SUV. There's a reason for that. Change for the sake of change isn't a good thing. I'm glad to see them go back more towards their exterior styling roots on this. Now make the interior comfortable and usable.

[Esteves]

from the images I've seen
I don't understand this change of strategy by BMW, I4, I5, I7, IX1 all similar to combustion engines, after the failure of Mercedes with electrics and with the few sales of the IX BMW wants to make the same mistake of making a car that doesn't look like a normal BMW...

[silent ninja]

Images of the X3 have been released recently, so it's a bit surprising to see that the X3 and iX3 will now look quite different. The X3 will be on updated existing architecture and looks more traditional. iX3 is more modern looking, but marmite. They are still pitching electric as futuristic - I don't want a futuristic car, I just want a modern looking car with a superior powertrain that isn't visible.

Let's see how the real production cars look and drive.