BMW's iX3 set for September debut, signaling the beginning of a new company era
The automotive world is abuzz with excitement as BMW prepares to unveil its latest electric vehicle (EV) masterpiece – the iX3 SUV. This model marks a significant milestone for BMW, introducing advanced underpinnings and a design that will be adopted across the rest of the brand.
Key Features and Specifications
The iX3 SUV will sit on the all-new Neue Klasse architecture, designed exclusively for EVs. It will be powered by the latest Gen6 eDrive technology, including a new lightweight motor architecture and an 800V charging system.
The flagship iX3 50 xDrive will feature a new electric motor made in Austria that is 10% lighter, 40% more efficient in energy use, and cheaper to produce than the previous generation. It will include silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors in the inverter and improved cooling, enhancing power delivery and response times dramatically.
Equipped with a 108 kWh high-voltage battery pack using cylindrical cells and a flat-pack design, the iX3 achieves about 800 km WLTP range (approximately 400 miles EPA estimated). It has a real-world energy consumption of 15.0 kWh/100 km, which is a 20% improvement in efficiency over the previous iX3.
The iX3 supports ultra-fast charging at up to 400 kW, allowing it to add more than 350 km (220 miles) of range in just 10 minutes. It also features BMW's new bidirectional charging tech (Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid), letting the car feed energy back into a home or the public grid – a first for BMW Charging systems debuting with the iX3.
Competition with Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric
The iX3 will compete with the forthcoming electric Mercedes-Benz GLC. While both models cater to the premium compact electric SUV segment, the iX3 stands out due to its advanced Neue Klasse architecture, longer range, and faster charging capabilities.
The iX3 introduces more cutting-edge tech such as the advanced Gen6 motor and bidirectional charging, which Mercedes’ electric SUVs have not widely offered yet. BMW’s focus on efficiency and detailed technology integration gives it an edge in responsiveness and driving dynamics compared to the Mercedes GLC electric models, which often carry a heavier weight penalty from previous generations’ platforms.
In summary, the next-gen BMW iX3 is a technically advanced electric SUV with an especially long electric range, fast charging capability, innovative drivetrain and battery tech, and smart bidirectional charging features. This positions it strongly against the electric Mercedes-Benz GLC and makes it an appealing option in the premium EV compact SUV class.
The iX3 SUV will be unveiled at the Munich motor show and is set to be Britain's longest-range EV, surpassing the new Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ saloon's range of 484 miles. The new iX3 will also pave the way for an electric BMW 3 Series saloon, although a date for its unveiling has yet to be confirmed.
[1] BMW Press Release, "BMW iX3: World premiere of the first Neue Klasse electric car", link
[2] Union of Concerned Scientists, "Myth: Electric vehicles aren't environmentally friendly", link
[3] BMW Press Release, "BMW iX3: World premiere of the first Neue Klasse electric car", link
[4] BMW Press Release, "BMW iX3: World premiere of the first Neue Klasse electric car", link
[5] BMW Press Release, "BMW iX3: World premiere of the first Neue Klasse electric car", link
- The technology sector and finance industries are closely watching the automotive industry as BMW prepares to reveal its iX3 SUV, an electric vehicle (EV) that is set to introduce advanced underpinnings and design elements for the brand.
- In the transportation sector, the iX3 SUV stands out thanks to its use of cutting-edge Gen6 eDrive technology, such as a new lightweight motor architecture and an 800V charging system, setting it apart from competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric.
- For those looking to minimize their environmental impact, the iX3 SUV offers a significant advantage with its estimated real-world energy consumption of 15.0 kWh/100 km – a 20% improvement over the previous iX3 – and an impressive WLTP range of approximately 800 km (400 miles EPA estimated).
- As part of the lifestyle shift towards cleaner and more sustainable options, the iX3 SUV features innovative technologies like bidirectional charging – a first for BMW Charging systems – enabling the vehicle to send energy back into a home or public grid, promoting a transition toward a greener transportation future.
