The new-generation BMW iX3 will be one of the first vehicles to undergo more stringent crash testing protocols introduced this year by the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP).
In conversation with Daily Sparkz At a media event in Belgium, Euro NCAP technical director Richard Schram said the new mid-sized electric SUV, due to launch in Australia in mid-2026, will be among the first models to be tested under the new safety rating system.
Euro NCAP will share its test results with the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) as the two safety agencies work together on the new protocols for 2026.
“We’re testing, I would say, in the next few weeks, starting with the first series of tests and then the release will be in July,” Mr. Schram said.
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“At least one of the cars I know is the BMW iX3, which I’m really excited about,” he added.
“Because it’s a car that I know from talking to BMW and driving the prototypes has really entrenched that consumer acceptance element (driver assistance technology) by only intervening when necessary – and letting the driver go when they’re paying attention.”
“This should now be a really good example of IFC (Intelligent Front Camera).”
The iX3 is the first model in BMW’s New Class, which the German automaker spent 10 billion euros ($16.5 billion) developing.
As a pioneering electric vehicle (EV), it introduces new advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as well as a new BMW iDrive system with artificial intelligence (AI) and voice control.
A key technology here is “BMW Symbiotic Drive”, which combines AI data with ADAS capabilities to create a supposedly more seamless driving experience – in line with Euro NCAP’s direction for future test protocols, including those planned for 2029.
The iX3 will cost from $109,900 before on-road costs when it arrives in Australia and will offer a range of 805km on the WLTP cycle.
This means it will be both cheaper and have longer range than key rivals such as the Audi Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan 4, Genesis Electrified GV70 and the first Mercedes-Benz GLC EV, which is due to launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026 (October to December).
The second BMW New Class model confirmed is the i3, a mid-sized electric sedan about the size of BMW’s legendary 3 Series and with a claimed range of 900km.
The first local crash test under the 2026 ANCAP protocols is expected to take place in April/May before the results are published in July.
Although not confirmed, the BYD Sealion 5 mid-sized SUV is a strong candidate for the first ANCAP test of the 2026 specification after the Chinese brand prioritized a safety assessment for its Sealion 8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV in 2025.
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