Munich, 13 May 2026.
Qinghai, China. Demonstrating the efficiency potential of the BMW Neue Klasse, the BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase successfully completed a challenging test drive covering more than 800 kilometers without recharging. A BMW iX3 50L xDrive prototype equipped with 21-inch aerodynamic wheels completed the extended route from Qinghai to Xi'an, maintaining continuous drive until its starting point after more than 800 kilometers of driving on public roads.
The vehicle finished the route with just 2% battery remaining, achieving an impressive average consumption of 12.6 kWh per 100 kilometers. This feat indicates a total range potential of 835 to 840 kilometers under the specific conditions of the challenge. The achievement highlights the outstanding efficiency of the BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase under challenging real-world conditions and demonstrates BMW's approach to electric mobility: delivering confidence in every kilometer.
BMW's engineers selected the Qinghai-Gansu corridor as the ideal test environment to validate the efficiency potential of the BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase in an authentically demanding setting. The challenging route combined high altitude sections spanning up to 4,000 meters with diverse climate conditions, making it a continuously demanding drivetrain efficiency test. Ambient temperatures ranged from 1°C to 21°C throughout the journey.
For BMW, efficiency is defined by how all vehicle components work together as an integrated system. The Neue Klasse architecture represents BMW's next-generation approach to electric vehicle development, with key contributors including BMW's in-house developed Energy Master thermal management system, sixth-generation high-voltage battery, and an electrically excited synchronous motor that eliminates rare earth materials while delivering superior efficiency characteristics.
The 21-inch aerodynamic wheels reduce drag at highway speeds. The BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase represents the Chinese market's growing demand for extended-range electric vehicles. BMW's commitment to real-world validation extends beyond laboratory testing, ensuring vehicles deliver on promises under actual usage conditions.
Model: BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase (50L xDrive)
Range Achieved: 800+ kilometers
Battery Remaining: 2%
Average Consumption: 12.6 kWh/100km
Test Location: Qinghai to Xi'an, China
Date: May 2026
Sources: BMW Group PressClub
Image Source: BMW Press
