2026 BMW iX and 50 Years of 3 Series: Full Celebration at The Amelia

BMW is heading to The Amelia in 2025 with more than just a few cars — it is arriving with five decades of memories, milestones, and a vision of where things are going next. This year marks 50 years since BMW of North America was founded, and they are pulling out all the stops to celebrate. What better way to do that than at The Amelia, a legendary gathering of car enthusiasts, now in its 30th year, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Golf Club of Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton Resort from March 6 through March 9, 2025.

One of the most exciting moments will be the United States premiere of the 2026 BMW iX. This is not just any SUV — it is BMW’s next leap into electric mobility, an evolution of the first SUV to be born fully electric from the ground up. The new iX will be displayed prominently near the main entrance to the show field and will take part in Sunday’s “Taking Charge Parade,” giving everyone a chance to see it in motion.

From the outside, the new iX is cleaner and sharper. The lines are smoother, the lights are redesigned, and even the grille feels more futuristic. New wheels, including options up to 23 inches in diameter, enhance its presence. For those who want something a little sportier, the M Sport Package is available. It brings athletic touches on the outside and inside, including the new M Multifunction seats. Under the hood — or in this case, under the floor — the new iX xDrive45 delivers up to 312 miles of range and starts at $75,150. The xDrive60 stretches that number up to an estimated 340 miles, and the M70 xDrive takes things to another level with a massive 650 horsepower and a 0 to 60 time of just 3.6 seconds.

The new iX lineup will go on sale in early 2025, and the excitement is real. It is not just about making another electric SUV — it is about showing the world what is possible when you blend performance, luxury, and responsibility into one high-tech package.

BMW is not just looking to the future. They are also paying respect to the car that helped build their reputation in the United States — the 3 Series. From 1975 to 2025, that is 50 years of one of the most beloved sports sedans on the road. The 3 Series did more than just sell well. It created a blueprint. It proved that you could have fun behind the wheel and still have something practical, reliable, and stylish.

To mark the 50th anniversary, a display on the putting green at the entrance to the show field will walk visitors through the evolution of the 3 Series. One of the earliest models, the 1983 320i, introduced Americans to something completely new. With a 4-cylinder engine producing 101 horsepower and a sleek, functional design, it was a car that felt different — and people noticed. It featured excellent suspension and braking, setting the tone for what would come next.

Next up is the 1991 M3 DTM version, a 370-horsepower beast that dominated racing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft season. Then there is the 1995 M3 Lightweight, a stripped-down track special with weight-saving parts and a clear focus on performance.

By the time the 2001 M3 GTR arrived, BMW had taken racing technology to another level. The car featured a 4-liter V8 engine and won big during the American Le Mans Series, proving that the 3 Series had real competition DNA. The 2011 M3 GT ALMS followed that tradition with a naturally aspirated V8, high-revving and beautifully engineered. It won the 12 Hours of Sebring in both 2011 and 2012.

Fast forward to 2019 and the 330i xDrive Sports Wagon — the end of an era for BMW wagons in the United States. It featured BMW’s TwinPower Turbo engines and even offered a plug-in hybrid option. The example on display wears BMW Individual Smoked Topaz metallic paint and marks the final chapter of the beloved wagon format.

Rounding things out is the 2025 M340i xDrive. This is what five decades of development looks like. A 386-horsepower inline-6 engine with 48-volt mild hybrid support gives it a 0 to 60 time of just 4.1 seconds and highway efficiency of 33 miles per gallon. It is fast, clean, comfortable, and connected, with features like the BMW Curved Display and the advanced BMW Operating System 8.5.

Saturday will be all about connection and celebration, especially during the Cars and Community Car Show. Over 350 vehicles from across the country are expected to participate. RADwood will bring back the 80s and 90s in style, and Cars and Caffeine will showcase vehicles from every era. BMW will be front and center, with 50 carefully selected 3 Series models on display thanks to BMW Car Club of America members.

BMW of North America will also showcase several rare and interesting cars from its classic collection. These include a 1987 E30 325is, a 2006 E46 M3, a 2013 E92 M3 Lime Rock Park Edition prototype, and a stunning 2025 G80 M3 painted in BMW Individual Laguna Seca Blue and enhanced with M Performance parts.

Beyond the cars, BMW is also reflecting on the journey of the past 50 years. The company began its journey in the United States in 1975, and by 1994, it was building cars in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Today, that plant is the largest BMW manufacturing facility in the world, producing over 1,500 vehicles every single day and nearly 7 million since opening. It is also the home of BMW’s Sports Activity Vehicles — the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM.

BMW has over 30 locations in 12 different states and contributes more than $43 billion to the U.S. economy annually. That is not just about selling cars — it is about creating jobs, fueling innovation, and building a community.

BMW’s presence at The Amelia this year is more than just an exhibit — it is a celebration of how far they have come and where they are going next. Whether it is the all-electric future with the new iX or honoring the legacy of the 3 Series, the message is clear: BMW is not slowing down anytime soon.