The new BMW iX3 M60 xDrive: 612 hp for the Neue Klasse

Oct 8

6 min read

BMW has unveiled the most powerful version of the iX3 yet. The new iX3 M60 xDrive is the first fully electric M Performance automobile of the Neue Klasse. It has two electric motors with 450 kW (612 hp) and 875 Nm, sprints to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and offers a WLTP range of up to 754 kilometres. It can be ordered from the end of January 2027.

Powertrain: Gen6 M eDrive with a new rear motor

The iX3 M60 xDrive has one electric motor on each axle. Together they deliver 450 kW (612 hp) and a maximum torque of 875 Nm. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 240 km/h.

The real news is at the rear axle. For the first time, BMW uses a new variant of the Gen6 SSM, an electrically excited synchronous motor. A newly developed stator and a much stronger inverter with 420 instead of 300 amps raise peak and continuous output as well as peak and continuous torque. A longer gear ratio and a higher maximum rotor speed raise the top speed to 240 km/h.

The rest of the technology comes from the Gen6 toolkit of the Neue Klasse: 800-volt technology, a high-voltage battery with cylindrical cells and bidirectional charging.

The shift paddles on the steering wheel let the driver adjust how the M eDrive behaves. Two dedicated buttons on the M sports steering wheel activate Boost and M Mode, which calls up the exclusive My Modes "M Sport" and "M Sport Plus" at the push of a button. There is also a dedicated soundscape that changes with speed.

Heart of Joy: control ten times faster

The Neue Klasse has four central high-performance computers that BMW calls "superbrains". One of them is the Heart of Joy. In the M60 it works together with the BMW M Dynamic Performance Control driving stack and controls the powertrain, brakes, parts of the steering, charging and recuperation. According to BMW it reacts ten times faster than previous systems.

Because the system intervenes faster and more proactively, fewer control interventions are needed overall. BMW promises consistent, reproducible cornering behaviour and high precision.

The same applies to braking. In everyday driving, recuperation handles almost all braking, and the conventional brakes are only used for emergency stops or sporty driving. With Soft-Stop, the car comes to a halt without any jolt or brake noise. BMW calls it the smoothest stop in the brand's history. The M Sport brake system with red or blue calipers is standard.

Chassis: adaptive, variable, with a limited-slip differential

As the most dynamic model of the range, the M60 comes with an extensive package as standard:

Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers. Damping forces are calculated in milliseconds and adjusted continuously at each damper.
Sport steering with variable ratio. It is precise at speed and needs less effort when parking or turning.
Electronically controlled M Sport differential at the rear axle for more traction in corners and on slippery surfaces.
Specific tuning of springs and dampers.
Steel pendulum supports on the front axle. They improve steering precision and the effectiveness of the anti-roll bar and reduce body roll.
Strut package in the front end for more lateral and torsional rigidity.

The M60 comes as standard with 21-inch M light-alloy wheels, with optional wheels up to 22 inches. Specially developed sports tyres are available on request for the 21-inch wheels. A 22-inch M aerodynamic wheel is also available exclusively for the M60.

Exterior: M Yellow Lights from motorsport

The most striking feature is the new M Yellow Lights at the front. The yellow lights come from motorsport and are modelled on the look of race cars such as the BMW M Hybrid V8. They only light up together with the low beam, and whether they are permitted depends on the market.

Next to the kidney grille there are three light elements on each side, inspired by the M stripes. They link the light signature, which also includes an M logo.

The BMW Iconic Glow exterior package is standard. It includes:

contour lighting for the kidney grille
glare-free high-beam assistant
dynamic cornering light
motorway light
fan-shaped surface lighting in the rear lights
welcome and goodbye animations in the styles Relaxed, Balanced and Excited

From the side, you notice the high-gloss black roof rails, the aerodynamically optimised black M mirror caps with stripes in the M colours, and an M logo. At the rear there is a black diffuser, a distinctive light signature and the M60 badge in black with a silver outline. A roof-edge spoiler with two aeroblades provides more downforce on the rear axle.

At launch there are 25 special paint finishes, and BMW plans to expand the range soon.

Interior: M sports seats and Panoramic iDrive

The cockpit features BMW Panoramic iDrive with BMW Operating System X. It includes:

the standard Panoramic Vision
a 17.9-inch central display in free-cut design, angled towards the driver
the M sports steering wheel with shy-tech controls and an exclusive red 12 o'clock marker
the optional BMW 3D Head-Up Display

The displays are designed specifically for M and differ in colour, shape and font from the other iX3 models. New is a power meter that shows the current drive power, the available power reserve and the recuperation power.

The standard M sports seats have pronounced side bolsters and 10-way electric adjustment, including lumbar support, backrest width and thigh support. They also have a massage function and an illuminated M logo in the headrests. The seat controls are illuminated and located in the door panels. M seat belts are also standard.

There are three interior designs with a total of seven upholstery options:

BMW M (standard): Veganza with M PerformTex in black
Contemporary: Veganza in Black, Castanea, Digital White or Agave Green
BMW Individual: a combination of Veganza and Merino leather on the seat surfaces
optional M sports seats in Adelaide Grey Bicolor made of M PerformTex with Merino leather seat surfaces

The Harman Kardon hi-fi system with 13 speakers, 430 watts and Dolby Atmos is also standard.

Apps and My Modes

The optional BMW Digital Premium adds M-specific in-car apps. The M Cockpit app lets you build dashboards with live driving dynamics data. The M Drag Meter measures acceleration. My Modes let you personalise lighting, sound, displays, suspension and powertrain. You can set your own pictures as the central display background via the My BMW App.

Charging and range

The high-voltage battery has a usable energy content of 108.7 kWh. The WLTP range is up to 754 kilometres, with combined consumption of 20.5 to 17.6 kWh/100 km (CO₂ class A).

At an 800-volt fast charger, the M60 charges at up to 400 kW. That adds up to 340 kilometres of range in ten minutes, measured according to ISO 12906 in the WLTP cycle under ideal conditions. AC Charging Professional with up to 22 kW is standard.

Driver assistance

The iX3 M60 xDrive has SAE Level 2 driver assistance systems with BMW Symbiotic Drive. The idea is that assistance and driver work together as seamlessly as possible, on the motorway, on country roads and in town. According to BMW, the motorway assistant enables hands-free driving up to 130 km/h.

Technical data at a glance

Feature	BMW iX3 M60 xDrive
Drive	2 electric motors, all-wheel drive (Gen6 M eDrive, 800 V)
Rear motor	new Gen6 SSM, 420 A inverter
System output	450 kW / 612 hp
Max. torque	875 Nm
0–100 km/h	3.9 s
Top speed	240 km/h
Battery (net)	108.7 kWh
WLTP range	up to 754 km
WLTP consumption	20.5–17.6 kWh/100 km
DC charging	up to 400 kW (up to +340 km in 10 min.)
AC charging	up to 22 kW
Length / width / height	4,782 / 1,895 / 1,635 mm
Wheelbase	2,897 mm
Wheels	21 inches standard, optionally up to 22 inches
Production	BMW Group Plant Debrecen (HU), from spring 2027
Order start	End of January 2027

All figures are preliminary according to BMW. Swiss prices have not yet been announced.

With the iX3 M60 xDrive, BMW shows what the Neue Klasse looks like as a performance model. 612 hp, 3.9 seconds and 240 km/h are strong figures. What stands out most, though, is that the M60 still keeps up to 754 kilometres of range and 400 kW of charging power. Technically, the most exciting parts are the new synchronous motor at the rear axle and the Heart of Joy, which coordinates powertrain, brakes and steering ten times faster. On top of that, the M Yellow Lights bring a signature feature straight from motorsport. We will add the Swiss prices here as soon as they are announced.