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The BMW iX3 is as near all-new as a brand new car could be, with the mid-size electrical SUV debuting a brand new platform with a brand new battery and a dramatically completely different design language inside and outside.
Debuting at this week’s Munich motor present, it’ll enter manufacturing this yr in Hungary forward of buyer deliveries commencing in Australia in mid-2026.
It’s the primary mannequin primarily based on BMW’s Neue Klasse devoted electrical car (EV) platform, and replaces the prevailing Chinese language-built iX3 which is an electrical model of the earlier CLAR platform-based X3.
BMW has debuted the brand new iX3 in 50 xDrive guise, which would be the first variant provided in Australia forward of additional electrical powertrains to comply with.
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The corporate says the brand new iX3 options its sixth-generation eDrive expertise, bringing extra energy, larger effectivity and vary, and a superior charging fee.
It options a big 108kWh (usable) battery with cylindrical cells that’s built-in into the car structure as a structural part.
Electrical vary is as much as 805km on the WLTP cycle, whereas an 800V electrical system helps DC fast-charging at as much as 400kW.
That enables the iX3 50 xDrive to realize greater than 350km of vary in simply 10 minutes, and be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes; it will also be charged utilizing 400V charging stations.
The SUV will also be charged at as much as 11kW utilizing AC energy, whereas there’s additionally vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging functionality – with a discharge fee of three.7kW – so you may energy electrical home equipment utilizing the high-voltage battery.
That includes dual-motor all-wheel drive, with an upgraded rear electrical motor and a brand new one on the entrance, the iX3 50 xDrive pumps out 345kW of energy and 645Nm of torque.
That provides it a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds.
BMW says the brand new electrical drive system reduces vitality losses by 40 per cent, whereas it’s 10 per cent lighter and 20 per cent extra inexpensive to fabricate.
The battery’s vitality density, on a cell degree, is claimed to be 20 per cent larger than with fifth-generation BMW eDrive expertise, with the charging pace up by 30 per cent.
BMW can also be touting its sustainability measures, together with the very fact round a 3rd of the iX3 is made out of secondary uncooked supplies. The Debrecen plant it’s inbuilt can also be powered by renewable sources.
The Coronary heart of Pleasure, as BMW calls it, is likely one of the iX3’s 4 high-performance computer systems referred to as ‘superbrains’, and handles drivetrain and driving dynamics administration. BMW says it processes info as much as 10 occasions quicker than typical management items.
The electronics and software program structure developed for the Neue Klasse platform can be rolled out throughout the entire of the BMW mannequin vary.
The brand new software program structure additionally permits for extra frequent updates and extra connectivity options.
The iX3 has made the transition from final yr’s Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse X idea to manufacturing car with little in the way in which of modifications, with BMW saying the brand new SUV has a “characterful” design language that can be “replicated throughout the entire of the model’s mannequin vary in the end”.
BMW additionally says the design language has been “lowered to the essence of the BMW model”.
The iX3 is most noticeable for its huge tail-lights – a “horizontal interpretation of the acquainted BMW L form” – however an upright front-end with a comparatively tall and slender double-kidney grille, which represents the brand new “model face” for BMW’s SUVs.
The grille is a nod to BMW’s Neue Klasse fashions from the Sixties, however the face is definitely trendy with its Iconic Glow grille accent lighting and vertical LED daytime operating lights.
The drag coefficient is a reasonably slippery 0.24Cd, aided by means of flush door handles.
The iX3 50 xDrive rides on 20-inch light-alloy wheels, although 21- and 22-inch wheels can be non-obligatory.
Right here’s the way it measures up in comparison with its predecessor:
| New iX3 | Outdated iX3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4782mm | 4734mm |
| Width | 1895mm | 1891mm |
| Top | 1635mm | 1668mm |
| Wheelbase | 2897mm | 2864mm |
There’s 520 litres of boot area, increasing to 1750L with the rear seats dropped; the outgoing iX3 has 510L and 1560L respectively.
Pop the bonnet and also you’ll discover a space for storing for the primary time, with a quantity of 58L.
The inside is a extra dramatic departure from current BMWs, debuting BMW Panoramic iDrive and that includes a “lowered” design language mirroring that of the outside.
An enormous 43.3-inch BMW Panoramic Imaginative and prescient show sweeps from A-pillar to A-pillar, with driving info projected within the driver’s line of sight. The content material on the centre and reverse facet of the show could be configured utilizing the touchscreen.
A head-up show stays, projected above the brand new pillar-to-pillar show.
The cabin additionally contains a new steering wheel design, with button panels that solely illuminate if a operate is offered or lively.
A 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen operating BMW Working System X is angled in direction of the motive force, with a configurable house display screen and programmable shortcut widgets.
It additionally options wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite tv for pc navigation with “clever charge-optimised route steerage”, and the flexibility to obtain extra apps together with streaming apps.
BMW is continuous to strip away bodily buttons. To regulate the local weather management, you have to use the touchscreen; to regulate the audio quantity, there are rollers.
Whereas BMW doesn’t use buttons for a lot past the demister and hazard lights, the iX3 is the newest automobile to characteristic buttons to open the doorways from the within.
Haptic controls are used for capabilities like the indications, wipers, exterior mirrors, gear choice and quantity management.
BMW says the brand new system “continues the strategy of utilizing an optimum mixture of analogue and digital controls”.
Veganza leatherette is the usual trim, with the headliner and ground mats made out of 100 per cent recycled supplies. BMW says recycled marine plastic is used for 30 per cent of the thermoplastic elements for the under-bonnet space for storing
Different customary tools features a energy tailgate, panoramic sunroof with ‘local weather consolation glazing’, dual-zone local weather management, a wi-fi telephone charger, and heated and power-adjustable entrance seats.
A solar blind can be provided via the Authentic BMW Equipment vary, whereas the iX3 can be provided with M Sport and M Sport Professional packages.
Normal security tools consists of adaptive cruise management, blind-spot monitoring, secure exit warning and pace restrict info.
“The Neue Klasse is our largest future-focused undertaking and marks an enormous leap ahead when it comes to applied sciences, driving expertise and design,” mentioned BMW AG chairman Oliver Zipse.
“Virtually every little thing about it’s new, but it is usually extra BMW than ever. Our entire product vary will profit from the improvements introduced by the Neue Klasse – whichever drive system expertise is employed.
“We aren’t solely bringing the following era of considered one of our most profitable totally electrical autos onto the street, we’re launching a brand new period for BMW.”
The iX3 will battle not solely the Audi Q6 e-tron, but additionally the brand new Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Expertise that’s additionally making its debut on the Munich present.
MORE: Discover the BMW iX3 showroom
