BMW iX3 crowned World Car of the Year 2026 as EVs lead the way
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2026
BMW has released a new reworked version of its high-performance cars in the luxury Sports Activity Vehicle and Sports Activity Coupe segments.
The BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition, which boast new 48V technology, a new engine and modifications that will boost performance and economy.
What’s new?
From the outside, the M models have an increased presence all thanks to the new front-end design. Both models now have new matrix LED headlights with adaptive control and BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling main lights so they don’t blind oncoming traffic.
It can be specced with M Shadowline lights, but the most distinguishable feature is the BMW kidney grille in all-black giving both models an even more aggressive stance. The kidney-grille bars and the enlarged model badging adds some eye-catching touches.
Both models come as standard with 21-inch M light-alloy wheels at the front paired with 22-inch M light-alloy rims at the rear. They include a new variant in a Jet Black solid finish.
At the heart of the design updates for the interior of the new BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition is the BMW Curved Display. This gives the M-typical cockpit with a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a control display of 14.9-inches with a single glass surface incorporating both.
The control display’s touchscreen enables digital control of numerous functions, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of buttons. The lane departure warning function has been upgraded with the addition of lane return with steering assistance.
A broad interior trim strip in Fineline Black wood with a high-gloss metal effect, is one of the new features added to the cars. Other features include an ambient light bar with effective backlighting.
Under the bonnet:
The BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition are the first high-performance models from BMW M GmbH to feature 48V technology.
It now includes an electric motor integrated in the compact housing of the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission, and it delivers up to 9 kW of additional drive power and 200 Nm of torque. It also functions as a crankshaft-mounted starter generator. The battery is charged through energy recuperation under braking.
BMW has not said what the pricing would be for both models.
The new BMW X5 M Competition and the new BMW X6 M Competition will be available in South Africa from the 3rd quarter of 2023.
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
Retail new vehicle sales continue to surge in South Africa despite global and regional conflicts, local floods and droughts.
South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout performance in March 2026, extending its domestic growth trajectory to the strongest level seen in nearly two decades.
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