Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    BMW Concept iX3 Previews an Electric X3

    BMW has been saying for some time that an electric crossover based on the X3 is coming. Today at Auto China, we got our first look at it as the Concept iX3.

    The iX3 has some subtitle design differences when compared to the standard X3. Up front is a new take on the iconic BMW kidney grille as they are joined together. Other details include special wheels to improve aerodynamics, blue accents, and a small door on the front fender for the charging port.

    Power comes from BMW's fifth-generation EV hardware which includes an electric motor producing 270 horsepower and a 70-kWh battery pack. BMW claims a range of 400 kilometers (about 249 miles) on the WLTP test cycle. The Concept iX3 can handle a charging rate of up to 150 kW, which will allow it to get an 80 percent charge in a half-hour.

    The production version of the iX3 is expected to launch in 2020 as part of BMW's plan to introduce 25 electrified vehicles by 2025. 12 of those models will be full EVs.

    Source: BMW

    The BMW Concept iX3

    • Electric mobility arrives at the core of BMW.

    BMW Concept iX3 with more than 200 kW/270 hp electric motor and a WLTP range of more than 400 kilometres (249 miles).
    The BMW Concept iX3 represents another milestone on the road to locally emission-free driving under the BMW Group’s electrification strategy. And so a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) once again blazes a trail for a new and groudbreaking form of BMW’s fabled driving pleasure. The current BMW X5 xDrive40e iPerformance (petrol consumption combined: 3.4 – 3.3 l/100 km [83.1 – 85.6 mpg imp]; electric power consumption combined: 15.4 – 15.3 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 78 – 77 g/km) made its debut in 2015 as the BMW core brand’s first plug-in hybrid model. And the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 presented in 2009 was the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe with a full-hybrid drive system.

    The BMW Concept iX3 previews the fusion of the multi-faceted driving pleasure for which BMW X models are renowned and a locally emission-free drive system. The version of the fifth-generation electric motor developed for the SAV generates maximum output of over 200 kW/270 hp.  The likewise model-specific high-voltage battery has a net capacity of over 70 kWh, which is enough to give the electric SAV a range of more than 400 kilometres (249 miles) in the WLTP cycle.

    Another feature of the high-voltage battery developed for the fifth generation of eDrive technology is its optimised charging capability. The energy storage system has a newly developed Charging Control Unit and is designed to be hooked up to fast-charging stations generating up to 150 kW. The high-voltage battery can be charged in just 30 minutes from one of these stations.

    Electric mobility also means a differentiation in design. 
    In the front, the kidney and the brand emblem show the affiliation with the BMW i brand. The closed double kidney with the blue accentuation continues the BMW i Vision Dynamics brand already featured in the BMW i Vision Dynamics. The closed area within the kidney reduces air resistance, providing aerodynamic benefits.

    Identifying features of the BMW Concept iX3 include a closed-off BMW kidney grille with familiar BMW i car graphic, BMW i Blue accents around the kidney, around the brand logo at the front and along the side skirts, and a diffuser element in the same colour integrated in the rear apron. These styling cues provide a striking contrast against the Moonstone Silver matt exterior paint finish. The concept study is also fitted with light-alloy wheels in an aerodynamically optimised design. 

    Alongside the world premiere of the BMW Concept iX3 and the BMW i Vision Dynamics study also on display in Beijing, the BMW Group is also highlighting the spectrum of design differentiation between the BMW and BMW i brands. The styling of the BMW i Vision Dynamics is characterised by the pioneering design language developed exclusively for BMW i models. The signature looks of BMW i cars will also mark out future models from the brand. This study of a first all-electric model from BMW is clearly defined by the robust and sophisticated all-round character of an SAV, which remains unaffected by the presence of a locally emission-free drive system under the skin. 

    The electric drive will be visible through the design elements from the BMW i design language in the exterior design mentioned above.

    • Haha 1
    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    smk4565

    Now they are onto something.  The i3 is an ugly looking car with odd proportions and that combined with the small range is why it doesn't sell.  This looks like a legit BMW, this will sell.  These quirky, goofy EV's were never going to sell, I think car makers though EV buyers wanted something different.  What people want is a BMW crossover, and BMW is giving them a BMW crossover.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    ocnblu

    I'm still having trouble believing these governments are going to bring the people around to the so-called "virtues" of EVs when there has been no preponderance of evidence that people want them... unless they are subsidized by taxpayers.  How is that sustainable?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    balthazar

    It will certainly be interesting to track the effect of the pare-down of the tax credit.
    I'm tending to think it won't have a huge effect due to the nature of how the credit works, vs. it being money off at sign-time. Most consumers seems to gravitate toward 'instant savings'/ the short term. It's a big factor in the steady rise in leasing, IMO.

    That said- what will be even more interesting is if any of the brands do what they're 'threatening' to do, which is quickly shift to all EVs. THAT is going to throw some major sparks in the near term (if any actually try it). Remember- for all the incredible hype around Tesla, they only sold 50K vehicles in the US last year, and as the poster child king of EVs.

    Volvo is one brand threatening to go all EV- they sold 81K in the US in '17. I have to wonder what their internal volume projections are after their switch- they can't possibly be expecting to be at even 50% of that number. The best yardstick is overall EV marketshare, which is 1%.

    1% of 81,000 is only 810 vehicles. Even 25%, for which there is no indicators that it would be so high I know of, is 20K vehicles. What is the business plan to deal with such a drastic downturn in volume?
     

    Edited by balthazar
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell

    I do want to correct one thing above. Volvo is not aiming for 100% EV, they are aiming for 100% electrified. That means hybrid, even as little as an eAssist type setup. Ram's Etorque counts as electrified and it's just eAssist.

    • Agree 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    balthazar

    So; yet another reality check to the 'coming sooner than you would think' retort.

    I'll say it again; the transportation market is like an oil tanker, slow to react & slow to turn. 'Hype' likes to think it's manning the helm, but it's in a life raft on a tow rope, bouncing around in the tanker's wake.

    • Thanks 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×

  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • oldshurst442
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By oldshurst442 · Posted

      Reason # xxx  as to why I love hockey and the players   From the bruising hit that takes the opponent outside the rink and into the player's bench. To the player saying to his teammate to 'hit him' just before the hit happens. To that same player saying that he has got him by calling him chubby but helping him out of the bench area and back unto the ice to the player that got hit laughing it off and skating off to continue on playing as if it was just a minor inconvenience and finally to the athletic trainer just looking at the hit, the player that got hit and visually seeing on his face his thoughts: "yup dude, you just got plastered!" and casually puts the bench back to its place.  The sportsmanship from all sides is incredible. Love it!!! 
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Very cool read and video on how Tires are made. Where Are Michelin Tires Made And Who Owns The Brand?
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      This is an interesting read. Korea is the only country with EVs that are head-to-head with China and in some ways better. This nanotube technology will allow Korea to move way farther forward than the U.S. in automotive options. Advances in carbon nanotube applications enhance battery dry process
    • oldshurst442
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By oldshurst442 · Posted

      I got a better idea for Trump: Instead of Canada becoming the 51st state, Id prefer for the US to become Canada's 4rth Territory.  Not even province status. In order for the United Stated Territories of America to become a full blown province, Americans would have to prove their allegiance and loyalty to the Royalty of King Charles the Third since Canada is a Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy of the British Commonwealth realm.  Trump's job and title would be a perfect revival for an old tradition.  King Charles the Third's court jester. And we could throw him a bone...and have a playing card named after him since he likes those kinds of things    
    • oldshurst442
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By oldshurst442 · Posted

      Im glad to get that off my chest  

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search