MALAGA, Spain – Oh, look who’s laughing now? Back when its rivals were focused on diesel cars, BMW made an expensive and early push into (EV) technology with the i3.

The German brand continued to hone the technology and, now, the second-generation iX3, due in Singapore in 2026, features its sixth generation of EV tech, along with a snazzy new user interface.

The innovations on the new car will find their way into as many as 40 new and updated BMWs by 2027. So, this is a car worth finding out about during a recent test drive in Spain.

Headlining the host of innovations on the new EV is its operating range. BMW claims that a fully charged battery is good for more than 800km. This is quite a jump from the 460km range of the outgoing iX3 and ahead of the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric, which are in the 600-something kilometres range.

Contributing to the iX3’s long operating range is the more energy-dense battery set-up. This means that BMW is squeezing more energy.

The braking technology is also more advanced – the car is better able to recover energy as it slows down, charging up the battery.

Charging speed has been dramatically turbocharged. The new car can be charged at a rate of 400kW. In contrast, the outgoing iX3 peaks at 150kW and the i5 saloon limousine maxes out at 205kW.

Assuming that the driver of the new iX3 can find a charger capable of dispensing electrons at such a high speed, plugging in for 10 minutes can add up to 372km of range.

BMW says the range and charging time bring the iX3 close to the experience of using and refilling a petrol-powered car. It is not possible to verify those claims in Spain because there is not enough time at the event to run down the iX3’s battery and fill it back up.

Future BMW electric cars are expected to feature similarly advanced battery and charging tech.

The test route includes a mix of country roads and faster motorways covering just over 300km...