A fresh motorway test gives BMW enthusiasts another way to judge the new iX3, while further battery projects and clearer electric M3 footage point towards what comes next. There are also regional buying updates, new driving impressions and a motorsport result worth catching up on.
BMW car news for 24 October 2026. Dates below distinguish new reports from earlier events; US and German details are labelled.
The quick read
- Independent test: new iX3 motorway range and charging measurements.
- Credible reporting: two more BMW–Rimac projects, with the models still unnamed.
- Prototype watch: less camouflage reveals more electric M3 bodywork.
- Regional buying news: a reported US iX5 loyalty incentive and German X5 diesel configuration examples.
iX3: a useful motorway benchmark
Car and Driver’s 23 October test records 330 miles at 75 mph in an iX3 50 xDrive on 22-inch tyres. Its 10–90% DC charging session took 31 minutes, averaging 184 kW. These are US test results, not UK WLTP figures or a guarantee for every specification and journey. [1]
For trip planning, compare similar conditions and the whole charging stop, rather than peak power alone.
Rimac: two more BMW projects, identities undisclosed
Reported 23 October. BMWBLOG quotes Mate Rimac telling Automotive News that two further BMW cars are in the pipeline beyond the updated i7. Neither model is named. Suggestions that one could be the facelifted i5 remain speculation. [2]
The established i7 partnership is official: Rimac’s 7 April release describes a battery combining BMW’s Gen6 cylindrical cells with Gen5 module technology, jointly developed and manufactured near Zagreb. That is background, not a new announcement today. [3]
For owners: this is a signal to watch for future battery improvements. It does not establish a retrofit for existing cars, a particular replacement model or a delivery date.
Electric M3: more bodywork visible, final details still hidden
Spy-video report published 24 October. BMWBLOG’s latest coverage shows a more lightly disguised electric M3 prototype, identified as ZA0. Visible details include a central bonnet vent, a divided rear spoiler and yellow lighting. The rear treatment appears less extreme than the concept’s. [4]
Gold brake callipers suggest a possible carbon-ceramic option, but their colour does not confirm the braking specification. Final output, UK pricing and the complete production equipment list remain unannounced in this report.
This adds visual detail to the official development film covered earlier this week. Follow the originating report for the prototype footage; the photographs in this roundup are clearly labelled production-model references.
X5 buying updates: keep the market labels attached
United States: a reported iX5 loyalty bonus
CarsDirect’s 21 October report, revisited by BMWBLOG on 23 October, describes a $1,000 loyalty incentive for the 2027 iX5. Reported eligibility includes BMW ownership within the previous 12 months or an active BMW Financial Services account. A trade-in is not required, and the benefit can transfer within the same household. [5]
This is US dealer-bulletin reporting, not a UK offer. Confirm current eligibility, expiry and financing conditions with the supplying dealer.
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Germany: the diesel X5 remains part of the picture
BMWBLOG’s 23 October German configurator exercise prices two X5 40d xDrive builds at €107,680 and €129,460, including VAT. These are selected configurations, not starting prices or UK quotations. [6]
It also provides useful context for the earlier 3 Series diesel story: a model-specific engine decision should not be described as BMW ending diesel across its entire range.
Fresh driving impressions: 7 Series and iX5
- 7 Series, 23 October: Car and Driver praises the quiet, smooth progress of both the petrol 740 and electric i7, while exploring the facelift’s extensive personalisation. Its prices and powertrain selection are US-specific. [7]
- iX5, 23 October: Road & Track likes the ride and easy manoeuvring but notes the car’s mass over larger road undulations. [8]
- Additional iX5 review, 22 October: InsideEVs prefers the electric version’s driving experience to the petrol car’s. This broadens the review evidence in yesterday’s roundup; it is not another launch. Published US range labels still vary between outlets, so no new certified range is asserted here. [9]
Smaller enthusiast updates
A screen and fingerprint reader in a door handle?
CarMoses reported a BMW patent application on 21 October, followed by BMWBLOG on 23 October. It describes MicroLED lock-status graphics and fingerprint unlocking, potentially supported by an interior camera. This is a proposed invention, not an announced X5 option. The accompanying CarMoses visuals are labelled renders, and the filing does not name a model. [10] BMWBLOG follow-up.
F90 M5 colours: new analysis of an older production run
BMWBLOG’s 23 October analysis of MDataWorks records counts 33,107 F90 M5s, including 7,051 in Black Sapphire. It reports 3,478 UK deliveries. This is third-party historical research, useful for enthusiasts comparing rarity; it is not an official BMW production statement or evidence of today’s buying preferences. [11]
Motorsport catch-up: WRT and ROWE secure titles
Race and official report: 18 October. At Portimão, Team WRT secured the combined Sprint-and-Endurance overall team championship in GT World Challenge Europe. ROWE Racing and Ugo de Wilde, Tim Tramnitz and Jens Klingmann took the Endurance Gold Cup titles. WRT’s number 30 M4 GT3 EVO also won the finale’s Silver Cup. These are separate honours from the Barcelona WEC results previously covered. [12]
A safety headline with an older event date
A new X1-versus-Q3 comparison has brought renewed attention to the BMW’s US safety rating. IIHS announced the X1’s Top Safety Pick+ award on 9 July 2026. It should not be presented as a new October BMW crash-test award or as a UK-market rating. [13]
Why VMSS follows the details
VMSS follows BMW developments to inform the aftermarket parts, bodykits and lighting modifications we design, manufacture and supply. For enthusiasts, the key is precise identification: production generation, bumper specification, sensors and lamp electronics need checking before fitment can be established. Prototype appearance and factory lighting options alone cannot establish retrofit compatibility or road legality.
Sources and cross-references
Links below distinguish reporting from official background. The original Automotive News interview and patent database record were not independently accessible during this check; their claims are attributed to the publications above.
- Car and Driver — iX3 instrumented test — 23 October 2026; US test.
- BMWBLOG — further BMW–Rimac projects — 23 October 2026; reports an Automotive News interview.
- Rimac Technology — i7 battery programme — 7 April 2026; official background.
- BMWBLOG — electric M3 spy footage — 24 October 2026; prototype reporting.
- CarsDirect — US iX5 loyalty offer — 21 October 2026; catch-up, dealer-bulletin reporting.
- BMWBLOG — German X5 diesel configurations — 23 October 2026; German configuration examples.
- Car and Driver — 7 Series first drive — 23 October 2026; US review.
- Road & Track — iX5 first drive — 23 October 2026; US review.
- InsideEVs — iX5 first drive — 22 October 2026; additional review catch-up.
- CarMoses — door-handle patent reporting — 21 October 2026; catch-up.
- BMWBLOG — F90 M5 production and colours — 23 October 2026; third-party historical data.
- BMW M Motorsport — GT World Challenge Europe finale — 18 October 2026; race and report, catch-up.
- IIHS — X1 safety award — 9 July 2026; original award announcement.
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