BMW unveils the BMW iX3, boasting the UK's farthest electric vehicle driving range.
BMW's New Electric SUV, the iX3, Makes a Stunning Debut
BMW has unveiled its latest creation, the iX3, at the Munich motor show. This electric SUV marks the beginning of BMW's new Neue Klasse models and is a significant step forward in the brand's electric vehicle (EV) strategy.
The design of the new iX3 harks back to the Neue Klasse models from the '60s and '70s, while incorporating modern touches. The kidneys, a signature BMW feature, have been reimagined to reference these classic models. Unlike the incoming i3, the iX3 sports a vertically oriented grille, a design choice that sets it apart.
The front of the iX3 also dispenses with the large kidney grille of the previous era, instead featuring narrow kidney grilles and headlights contained "as one graphical unit". This design feature is a nod to the BMW 2002 'Sharknose'. The kidneys themselves are illuminated, rather than picked out in chrome, in an environmentally motivated move.
The new BMW Gen6 platform, upon which the iX3 is built, supports an 800V electric architecture, capable of a charging speed of up to 400kW. This means that the iX3 can potentially add 217 miles of range in just 10 minutes, although this rate can only be held for around two to three minutes. The new platform also includes bidirectional charging, a first for BMW.
The development of the iX3 took four years and a £17 billion investment. BMW's head of design, though the exact name was not revealed in the search results, stated in an interview that the Neue Klasse is a new design language appealing both to those unfamiliar and familiar with BMW. Each Neue Klasse model will have its own "unique" light signature, making them instantly recognisable.
The design of the iX3 is described as "more BMW than ever". It measures 4782mm in length, 1895mm in width, and 1635mm in height, similar in size to the incoming electric Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 E-tron. The iX3 is one of BMW's most important model launches to date, signifying a new era for the brand in the electric vehicle market.
The design of the new iX3 will influence the next 40 models from the brand, marking a significant shift in BMW's design philosophy. With its blend of classic and modern elements, the iX3 is poised to set a new standard for electric SUVs.
