The BMW iX isn't long for this world. Amid changing demand for electric vehicles, the SUV is exiting the scene, but BMW's decision isn't based solely on demand. Lest we forget, there's another electric BMW on the way that will help fill the gap.The news comes from BMWblog, which confirmed the iX will depart just after its 2026 model year update. The BMW iX arrived as a concept car made real, showcasing ambitious style and technology and an interior like no other BMW before it. It's clear that the iX was never meant to be a big seller for BMW, but more of a statement of intent. It was a precursor to the Neue Klasse platform, and now the first actual Neue Klasse car, the BMW iX3, is due to land in the US in the coming months to serve as a partial replacement. Full Commitment To Neue Klasse BMW While other car brands are pulling back, BMW isn't taking its foot off the metaphorical gas pedal with its all-electric car push. At least, globally. It's telling that the iX is being pulled from the US, but it is just following a facelift and not being discontinued globally. In other markets, the BMW iX will continue production and sales will continue into 2027. In a statement, BMW told BMWblog:"We are proud of what we have accomplished with the BMW iX. Since its introduction, it has served as a technological showcase, pushing the boundaries of design, manufacturing, sustainability, and circularity. Our success in the US is driven by a broad and flexible powertrain portfolio that allows us to navigate a dynamic environment while continuing to evolve our lineup. As part of this progression, we are concluding US allocation of the BMW iX as we prepare for the next generation of our fully electric vehicles.We remain fully committed to electrification in the US and are transitioning to our upcoming Neue Klasse models, beginning with the BMW iX3, powered by our latest Gen6 eDrive technology. This marks the beginning of the Neue Klasse era and the introduction of these technologies across our future portfolio, and we are confident these vehicles will surpass the expectations of customers when they enter the US market in the coming months." The Statement Of Intent BMW The iX comes in several flavors – the xDrive50 and xDrive60, then the M60 and M70 high-performance variations. It wasn't a car BMW just put together as a proof of concept; it was a deluxe platform on which to develop the sixth-generation eDrive system powering the first generation of the Neue Klasse lineup. The compact BMW iX3 is the first series-production Neue Klasse model, but the iX is likely to stick around for now so that BMW still has a large electric SUV with X7-level ride quality and comfort on offer.The iX3 will be with us in the summer of 2026, but we got a chance to drive a pre-production model at the end of last year, and came to the conclusion that it's a new benchmark for all-electric vehicles. It packs 469 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque with an EPA estimated range of up to 400 miles on a single charge. You would have to spend an immense amount of money on a Lucid to nearly double the iX3's 108-kWh battery pack capacity.Plus, the iX3 has incredibly fast charging ability, the smoothest regenerative braking system we've experienced yet, and perhaps most importantly, no more giant kidney grille.
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