BMW has tested aesthetic boundaries in recent years, with offbeat offerings such as the i7, iX and XM polarising audiences with their gargantuan grilles and slab-sided profiles.
But the Bavarian marque has embarked on an altogether more pleasing design direction with its all-new iX3, which is the first instalment in its “Neue Klasse” (New Class) line of vehicles. Revealed on Friday in Munich, the debutant is billed as a state-of-the-art, full-electric SUV – or SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) in BMW-speak.
Although no less edgy and mould-shattering in its visuals than the i7 and XM, the iX3’s surfacing and proportions appear much better resolved.
Featuring a blend of curves, bulges and sharp edges, the new model draws inspiration from BMW’s previous Neue Klasse vehicles that were produced from 1962 to 1972, re-establishing the brand as a purveyor of luxury sports sedans after its financial crisis in the 1950s.
The iX3’s design language will in due course be replicated across the entire BMW range as successor models to the brand’s current-gen cars are rolled out over the coming years.
Cloaked within the iX3’s futuristic bodyshell is a cutting-edge platform and electrified “eDrive” drivetrain that’s claimed to deliver up to 805km of range on a single charge. The vehicle will also be capable of ultra-fast recharges (from 10 per cent to 80 per cent charge in 21 minutes), thanks to its 800V electric architecture.
For now, BMW has revealed specs only for the iX3 50 xDrive, which is powered by two electric motors that generate combined outputs of 469hp and 645Nm. The manufacturer quotes a sharp 0-100kph split of 4.9 seconds and top speed of 210kph.
The drive technology developed for the Neue Klasse is claimed to reduce energy losses by 40 per cent compared to fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, while weight is trimmed by 10 per cent and manufacturing costs by 20 per cent.
Although electric vehicles are generally portrayed as being characterless and devoid of fun factor, BMW claims the iX3’s “Heart of Joy” drivetrain and chassis management technology enables it to serve up a high level of handling dynamism and precision.
Similar in dimensions to the combustion-powered X3 that debuted last year, the new iX3 is said to offer generous interior space and excellent day-to-day usability.
The luggage bay can swallow up to 520 litres of cargo, but it can be expanded to 1,750 litres by folding down the rear-seat backrest. There’s also an additional storage compartment under the bonnet where you can stash another 58 litres of stuff.
Those with boats or trailers can also specify an optional electric fold-in/fold-out trailer tow hitch. The maximum trailer load of the iX3 50 xDrive is 2,000 kilograms.
Production of the iX3 is set to begin over the coming months at BMW’s brand-new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, with Middle East deliveries set to commence in the second quarter of 2026. For now, there’s no official word on UAE pricing, but an entry point in the Dh320k-to-350k range can be anticipated.
The arrival of the iX3 is expected to add impetus to BMW’s strong sales momentum in recent years. The brand sold 2.2 million cars in 2024, comfortably topping arch-rivals Mercedes-Benz (two million cars) and Audi (1.7 million units).
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
LOVE%20AGAIN
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MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
The five pillars of Islam
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
FIXTURES
All games 6pm UAE on Sunday:
Arsenal v Watford
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
Everton v Bournemouth
Leicester v Man United
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Sheffield United
West Ham v Aston Villa
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
More on Quran memorisation:
Sleep Well Beast
The National
4AD
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
RESULTS
1.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winners: Hyde Park, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
2.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
2.45pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3.15pm: Shadwell Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 (TB) Dh575,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Blown by Wind, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh72,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh64,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Obeyaan, Adrie de Vries, Mujeeb Rehman
4.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
