BMW has unveiled the brand’s first Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) with a fully-electric powertrain called the BMW iX3. The first fully electrical “X” model from the German brand will also be its first model to be produced for export, at the BMW Group’s Shenyang manufacturing facility in China. The brand has also revealed that the SUV’s market launch will begin in China before the end of 2020.
The BMW iX3 premieres with the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology that features an increased power density, range, flexibility as well as reduced weight, installation space requirement etc. The power density is claimed to have increased by 30% as compared to the existing BMW Group electric vehicles and the electric motor, power electronics, charging technology and high-voltage battery have been developed in-house and will also be deployed in the BMW iNEXT and BMW i4 from 2021.
The newly developed fifth-generation eDrive technology features integrated drive system which means the electric motor, power electronics and transmission are all arranged in a central housing. The BMW eDrive electric motor, a current-excited synchronous motor produces 286 Hp of power and 400 Nm of torque coupled to an 80 kWh BMW eDrive high-voltage battery that delivers a range of 460 km on WLTP cycle. The iX3 can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.8 seconds and comes with an electronically limited top speed of 180 kmph.
The BMW iX3 can be recharged from 0 to 80 per cent in 34 minutes (10-minute charge adds 100 km range WLTP) and the iX3 is capable of charging capacity of up to 150 kW at DC fast-charging stations. The BMW iX3 also features BMW Connected Charging, new digital services with enhanced navigation planning, including recommendations for charging stops and the system factors mid-journey breaks into the route planning to calculate the time of arrival.
The BMW iX3 on the outside features the characteristic X model proportions and comes with a closed aerodynamic grille with vertical air intakes that flank the bumper, blue accents of the BMW kidney grille, LED headlights, aerodynamic 19-inch light-alloy wheels with new, drag-reducing design fitted as standard and the 20-inch light-alloy wheels on the optional ‘Impressive’ trim variant.
The iX3 also features three-zone automatic climate control with pre‑heating and pre-conditioning, automatic tailgate operation, panoramic glass sunroof, Driving Assistant Professional and ambient lighting and optionally comes with acoustic glazing, sport seats, Vernasca leather trim, BMW Head-Up Display, Parking Assistant Plus and Harman Kardon Surround Sound.