BMW will take the wraps off the hotly anticipated iX3 on September 5 on the IAA Mobility Present in Munich. Whereas some particulars have already been formally revealed or leaked, the corporate’s CEO has now shared a beforehand unknown tidbit. Throughout his speech following the publication of half-year outcomes this week, Oliver Zipse disclosed the electrical crossover’s power consumption.
The iX3 (NA5) will sip 15 kWh per 62 miles (100 kilometers), a outstanding determine in comparison with the outgoing G08. When the previous-gen EV was facelifted three years in the past, BMW quoted consumption at 18.9 to 18.5 kWh/100 km. The advance is much more spectacular contemplating the brand new iX3 will initially launch with xDrive, whereas its predecessor was strictly rear-wheel drive. Consequently, the brand new mannequin can have two motors as a substitute of 1.
Stories additionally recommend the new iX3 can be barely bigger. An unconfirmed curb weight of two,285 kilograms (5,038 kilos) would make it a full 100 kg (220 lbs) heavier, too. The CLAR-based mannequin used a battery pack with a web capability of solely 74 kWh, whereas its successor reportedly has 113.4 kWh. Given BMW’s promised 800-kilometer (497-mile) WLTP vary and the 15 kWh consumption determine, we are able to confidently say the battery capability will exceed 100 kWh.
Nonetheless, the improved effectivity received’t come solely from sixth-generation batteries and electrical motors. When BMW unveiled the Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse X idea in March 2024, it highlighted its sleeker physique with a 20% decrease drag coefficient. It additionally launched new brakes designed particularly for EVs, contributing to an total 25% effectivity enhance.
Zipse even claims the next-gen iX3 would be the “benchmark within the business.” He has legitimate causes to hype up the NA5. It’ll assist 400-kilowatt charging, enabling 350 kilometers (217 miles) of WLTP vary in simply 10 minutes. BMW estimates a most vary of 400 miles (644 kilometers) below EPA testing and 900 kilometers (559 miles) utilizing China’s extra optimistic CLTC.
Further iX3 derivatives are probably within the pipeline. It will be logical for BMW to introduce a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive variant. With much less weight by dropping the entrance motor, it might doubtlessly exceed the vary of the iX3 50 xDrive. In any case, BMW has said that 900 kilometers (559 miles) of vary is feasible with the brand new cylindrical battery cells.
The brand new iX3 will pave the best way for a lot of Neue Klasse fashions. In 2026, BMW plans to launch the I3 Sedanadopted by a number of different EVs by the top of 2028. The following-generation X5, X6, and X7 will stay on CLAR however acquire electrical variants with Gen6 batteries and motors. Even ALPINA is reportedly getting into the EV house with its tackle the i7 and a next-gen X7 with no combustion engine. As for different manufacturers below the BMW Group, Neue Klasse {hardware} can also be headed to MINI and Rolls-Royce.
Supply: BMW
