BMW's iX3 set to debut in September, ushering in a new phase for the automaker's history
BMW's New iX3 Electric SUV: A Quantum Leap Forward in Electric Vehicle Offerings
BMW is set to unveil its first Neue Klasse electric car, the iX3 SUV, at the Munich motor show in September. The vehicle will compete against the forthcoming electric Mercedes-Benz GLC and promises a "quantum leap forward" from today's electric offerings.
The iX3 SUV will be built on BMW’s new Neue Klasse platform, exclusively designed for electric vehicles. It will utilise the sixth-generation BMW eDrive (Gen6) technology, featuring a new motor architecture with options for an Externally Excited Synchronous Motor (EESM) or an Asynchronous Motor (ASM).
The iX3 50 xDrive variant will debut the Gen6 electric motor produced in Steyr, Austria, which is lighter by 10%, reduces energy losses by 40%, and lowers production costs by 20%. The motor will be paired with an advanced inverter using silicon carbide semiconductors and improved cooling for better efficiency and response.
The iX3 SUV's battery will feature new cylindrical cells, boosting energy density by 20%. The WLTP range is up to 800 km (around 500 miles), with real-world efficiency around 15.0 kWh/100 km, a 20% efficiency improvement over the previous model. It will support fast charging up to 400 kW, enabling over 350 km (220 miles) of range to be added in just 10 minutes, and is compatible with 400V DC chargers.
The iX3 SUV's onboard computer, dubbed the "Heart of Joy," will manage drivetrain, braking, and steering with 10 times faster processing for precise cornering, regenerative braking, and responsive power delivery. The iX3 also supports bidirectional charging (Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid), allowing energy to flow back into home or grid systems.
If achieved, the new iX3 would be Britain's longest-range EV. Sales of the iX3 SUV are expected to start early next year. The new iX3 will be followed by an electric BMW 3 Series saloon, although a date for its unveiling has yet to be confirmed.
The iX3 SUV marks major milestones for BMW, as it introduces advanced underpinnings and a design that will be adopted across the rest of the brand. The vehicle has already been driven as a prototype, and the size of its nickel-manganese-cobalt pack has yet to be disclosed.
In comparison to the electric Mercedes-Benz GLC (EQC or upcoming EQ models based on GLC), the BMW iX3 offers notably higher battery capacity and range claims, with an advanced 800V charging system and bi-directional charging features, which are less common on the Mercedes EQ GLC line currently. The iX3 also benefits from newer motor technology focusing on efficiency and cost reduction.
[1] BMW iX3 Official Website [5] BMW Group Press Release
- The iX3 SUV, a quantum leap forward in electric vehicle offerings from BMW, will feature advanced technology such as the sixth-generation BMW eDrive (Gen6) technology and an onboard computer dubbed the "Heart of Joy."
- The iX3 SUV, set to compete against the electric Mercedes-Benz GLC, offers notably higher battery capacity and range claims with an advanced 800V charging system and bi-directional charging features.
- Built on BMW’s new Neue Klasse platform, the iX3 SUV will utilize technology such as the Externally Excited Synchronous Motor (EESM) or an Asynchronous Motor (ASM), and will have a battery featuring new cylindrical cells, boosting energy density by 20%.
- The automotive industry is about to experience a shift with the introduction of the iX3 SUV, as BMW aims to lower production costs by 20% and reduce energy losses by 40% with their Gen6 electric motor, all while providing longer ranges for electric vehicles.
