919 km instead of a vague “over 900”: the China-only BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase now has a certified range to back up the hype, and it’s heading into the next phase of its launch. Pre-orders open August 21 at the Chengdu Auto Show, with first deliveries slated for the fourth quarter of 2026. This isn’t another Neue Klasse reveal — it’s the moment the car actually goes on sale.
The iX3 LWB first appeared publicly back in April at Auto China in Beijing, alongside the long-wheelbase i3. Both cars were built specifically for China, both run an 800-volt architecture, and both stretch past a 3-meter wheelbase. So Chengdu will mostly be about trim levels and ordering details.
The iX3’s wheelbase reaches 3,005 mm — 108 mm longer than the global car. China’s MIIT certification data lists a CLTC range of 919 km and energy consumption of 13.6 kWh/100 km. The dual motors produce a combined 351 kW, or roughly 477 hp, and the 800-volt system supports charging up to 400 kW. Comparing 919 km directly with the European WLTP figure isn’t fair game — the test cycles differ significantly.
The i3 Long Wheelbase sedan goes even further. BMW’s official China site claims over 1,000 km CLTC, the same 800-volt system, and peak charging at 400 kW: the automaker says 10 minutes at a charger adds up to 400 km of estimated range.
The commercial launch lands at an awkward moment for BMW. The original BMWBLOG report mistakenly applied a 30.2% China sales drop to the entire first half of the year. BMW Group’s official report shows 261,773 vehicles delivered from January through June, down 20.4%; the 30.2% decline was specific to the second quarter alone, when deliveries fell to 117,815 units.
That’s why August 21 matters more than another tech demo: BMW needs to reveal the actual market versions of the iX3 and the terms of the pre-order. The next checkpoint is the fourth quarter, when the long-wheelbase Neue Klasse has to move from reservations to real deliveries for Chinese customers.
