BMW iX3 approved in Germany for Level 2 Motorway Assistant

BMW has become the first automaker in Germany to secure official approval to deploy a Level 2 driver-assistance system on the new iX3. The authorization was granted under UN Regulation No. 171, which governs driver-in-the-loop vehicle control technologies.

Called Motorway Assistant, the feature lets iX3 owners travel on motorways without continuously holding the steering wheel at speeds of up to 130 km/h. The driver must stay attentive and ready to intervene. The assistant keeps the car centered in its lane and can execute lane changes automatically when the driver confirms the move by glancing at the side mirror.

Tied into BMW Maps navigation, the system can proactively suggest changing lanes ahead of exits and junctions. In everyday driving, that forward planning aims to ease routine tasks without dulling situational awareness.

The latest version can also stop at traffic lights and set off again on its own, a capability that proves especially handy in urban settings and helps smooth out stop-and-go moments.

Slotting into the 2026 lineup, the electric iX3 will be the first BMW to feature symbiotic brakes, a setup intended to deliver a more seamless interaction between the driver and the assistance system.