Automotive

BMW's all-electric iX3 hits production: A vision of things to come

BMW's all-electric iX3 hits production: A vision of things to come
The new BMW iX3: a fully electric crossover completes the X3 lineup
The new BMW iX3: a fully electric crossover completes the X3 lineup
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The iX3's battery pack, exploded, but in the nice way
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The iX3's battery pack, exploded, but in the nice way
Underfloor batteries and a compact rear-mounted integrated motor unit
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Underfloor batteries and a compact rear-mounted integrated motor unit
The drive unit brings together the motor, transmission and power electronics
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The drive unit brings together the motor, transmission and power electronics
The new BMW iX3: a fully electric crossover completes the X3 lineup
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The new BMW iX3: a fully electric crossover completes the X3 lineup
Blue highlights are the key visual differentiator
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Blue highlights are the key visual differentiator
A cutaway view of the integrated motor/transmission/electronics unit
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A cutaway view of the integrated motor/transmission/electronics unit
Panoramic sunroof is standard
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Panoramic sunroof is standard
Nic big touchscreen for cloud-enhanced navigation and infotainment
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Nic big touchscreen for cloud-enhanced navigation and infotainment
That's quite a spunky gear selector
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That's quite a spunky gear selector
285 miles of range, and 150 kW fast charging
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285 miles of range, and 150 kW fast charging
The iX3's cabin
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The iX3's cabin
BMW iX3 highlights
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BMW iX3 highlights
A peak power of 210 kW (286 horsepower) is fair to middling
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A peak power of 210 kW (286 horsepower) is fair to middling
BMW iX3 steering wheel
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BMW iX3 steering wheel
The iX3 is the first full EV to use BMW's new fifth-generation eDrive system
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The iX3 is the first full EV to use BMW's new fifth-generation eDrive system
View gallery - 15 images

BMW has announced the production model of its all-electric iX3 crossover, the first consumer car to feature the company's fifth-generation eDrive electric drivetrain. Thirty percent more power-dense and 20 percent more energy-dense than the previous version, this efficient drivetrain integrates the motor, power electronics and transmission into a single unit. It'll underpin a number of electric models in the coming years, including upcoming iNEXT and i4 models in 2021.

Looking very similar to the Concept iX3 we saw in 2018, this new electric model gives the X3 platform an extraordinary range of engine options, from petrols, diesels and plug-in hybrids all the way to a fully electric experience.

The eDrive system delivers a practical 210 kW (286 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque with the pedal down, and its 80 kWh underfloor battery pack delivers a WLTP cycle range of 460 km (285 miles). A DC fast-charge capability up to 150 kW means that drivers can stick 100 km (62 miles) worth of range into the car in 10 minutes, or go from 0-80 percent in 34 minutes on longer drives.

A peak power of 210 kW (286 horsepower) is fair to middling
A peak power of 210 kW (286 horsepower) is fair to middling

It'll tackle the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 6.8 seconds, which won't blow anyone's skirt up, but it's snappy enough around town. Top speed is limited to 180 km/h (112 mph), and while that might annoy German drivers, it's probably more than enough for the vast majority of iX3 buyers.

If you decide to throw it around a bit, the standard adaptive suspension and rear wheel drive should make this a decent sporty handler. And if you're more interested in range and economy, there are multiple levels of regenerative braking available, from "let me coast, recuperation be damned" to "I wanna drive with just one pedal."

Standard spec includes LED headlights, three-zone automatic climate control, an automatic tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting and the Driving Assistant Professional package, which includes adaptive cruise control all the way down to a standstill, steering and lane control assist, lane change warnings and lane departure warnings. Presumably some other bits and pieces will be unlockable through the ConnectedDrive Store, possibly on a subscription basis.

The iX3's cabin
The iX3's cabin

The above standard equipment relates to the "Inspiring" equipment line, which can be upgraded to "Impressive" if you want things like 20-inch light alloy rims, adaptive headlights, front sports seats with lumbar support, HUD, auto parking and rear view cameras.

Visually, well, it's an X3. The front grille is flatter, and decorated with some small vents, and there are blue highlights around the grille, the lower door sills and the rear underbody where you'd expect the exhausts to be. Those and the origami-fold wheel rims are the key visual differentiators; otherwise it's a pretty conservative look.

The iX3 will debut in China, where it's being manufactured, later this year, with other markets to follow. Pricing has not been announced. See a video below.

The New BMW iX3

Source: BMW

View gallery - 15 images
4 comments
4 comments
martinwinlow
BMW still playing at being an 'EV' maker, then!
TonyB
BMW did a good job with the i3, I leased one three years ago and it performed very well as a town car. After the lease ended I bought a Tesla. Not the fit and finish of the BMW, but some futuristic features. However, unlike the BMW, it does not deliver close to the rated mileage.
Username
The inside is nice. The outside is boringly generic.
Gannet
still the grille. Doesn't help aero, which is range, which is more important than ever.