Image: BMWThe preference of Chinese customers for additional rear legroom is a well-established tradition in the automotive industry – and China-specific long-wheelbase versions of international models have been a staple of the market for decades. It is therefore no surprise that BMW is extending two of its most important electric models for the Chinese market. After all, the iX3 and i3 are the first models ‘in the biggest future project in BMW’s history: the Neue Klasse’, as BMW CEO Oliver Zipse stated during his recent appearance at Auto China in Beijing. In May, Milan Nedeljković will take over as CEO in Munich.BMW officially unveiled the international version of the iX3 at the IAA Mobility in Munich last autumn, while the i3 was introduced in a design preview in March – with its world premiere as a production model still pending. BMW’s Auto China press release does not specify the exact extent of the stretch for both models. However, reports indicate that the wheelbase has been extended by 10.8 centimetres to 3.01 metres, increasing the overall length to 4.89 metres.The additional 10.8 centimetres of wheelbase are almost entirely dedicated to enhancing rear legroom, but the upgrades do not stop there. The stretched iX3L will also feature new rear seats with thicker padding, which can be reclined further to allow passengers to maximise the extra space with a more comfortable seating position. Additional changes for the China-specific model include an inductive charging pad for smartphones in the rear centre armrest, enhanced ambient lighting, and more physical buttons for controls.BMW has not confirmed whether the battery has been modified – the additional 10.8 centimetres of wheelbase create extra space between the axles, which could theoretically accommodate additional battery cells. As is well known, the Munich-based manufacturer is using round cells for its sixth-generation electric powertrains, with the international iX3 and i3 featuring a battery pack with a 108 kWh energy capacity. While Audi has installed a slightly larger battery in its China-specific Q6L e-tron and Mercedes has announced a marginally smaller battery for the long-wheelbase version of the GLC showcased at the current motor show, BMW’s range figures suggest that the same 108 kWh battery is likely retained. The iX3L is expected to achieve over 900 kilometres in the Chinese CLTC test cycle, while the i3 is set to exceed 1,000 kilometres. Under the WLTP cycle, which typically yields slightly lower ranges, the iX3 achieves 805 kilometres, and the i3 over 900 kilometres.With the Neue Klasse, BMW also introduced the ‘Panoramic iDrive’, a slim display band at the lower edge of the windscreen. This display concept has now been unveiled in China for the first time, in a version ‘adapted to local market needs’. For example, voice interaction differs from the European and US versions: while BMW relies on Amazon technologies in those regions, China uses an independent solution developed in collaboration with local technology partners such as DeepSeek.As previously reported, the new 7 Series saloon, which incorporates Neue Klasse technologies, also celebrated its world premiere. The luxury model features the display and screen concept of the Neue Klasse, a tailored luxury design, and – in the electric i7 – the round cells from the Neue Klasse, though it otherwise retains the fifth-generation powertrain.bmwgroup.com