BMW Puts Neue Klasse at the Center of Its 2026 Chengdu Motor Show Plans

BMW is gearing up for the 2026 Chengdu International Motor Show, where the Neue Klasse will take center stage. The automaker has confirmed that the new BMW iX3 will open for pre-orders on August 21, the same day the show begins, while the Neue Klasse BMW i3 will get a more detailed public display.

Both models were first shown earlier this year at Auto China in Beijing, but Chengdu marks a key step toward getting these China-specific electric vehicles into customer hands.

BMW says the Chinese iX3, which features a longer wheelbase than its European and North American counterparts, will have more than 900 kilometers (559 miles) of range under the CLTC testing cycle, thanks to its Gen6 electric drivetrain. The car also uses an 800-volt architecture that supports charging at up to 400 kW.

The i3, also designed specifically for China, is expected to exceed 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of CLTC range, with differences like door handles and a longer wheelbase in "L" specification models. At the show. BMW will also reveal full specifications, configurations, purchasing information, and tech details for both vehicles, along with new driver-assistance and infotainment features developed for the Chinese market.

Beyond the Neue Klasse. BMW will officially launch the China-only BMW M3 Edition 40 Jahre at the show, and the 2027 BMW X3 will also be on display. MINI, meanwhile, is taking a different approach: instead of staying only inside the exhibition hall, several customized MINI models will appear around popular shopping districts and city landmarks starting August 21, turning parts of Chengdu into an extension of the MINI stand.

The 29th Chengdu International Motor Show runs from August 21 to August 30, 2026, at the Western China International Expo City, with BMW’s main display in Hall 14. The event comes as BMW faces a notable sales decline in China. 2% in the first half of 2026, even though the 3 Series has surpassed 2 million sales and total model sales exceed 7 million.

Chengdu represents one of the first chances to see BMW turn its heavily promoted Neue Klasse strategy into cars Chinese customers can actually buy.