BMW is pushing ahead with plans for more pure electric vehicles and has given a sneak peek with the Concept iX3, an all-electric compact SUV based on the X3. The Concept iX3, globally revealed at 2018 Auto China Beijing generates more than 270 horsepower. Its more than 70 kWh battery provides all-electric range of up to 249 miles.
BMW said its Brilliance Automotive joint venture will manufacture the production version of Concept iX3—its first all-electric SUV—in Shenyang, China. Bloomberg reported that the iX3 will go into production in 2020 and will be exported globally, including to the United States.
This new all-electric SUV will compete with all-electric offerings in the premium SUV/crossover segment such as the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace, Audi Q6 E-Tron and will give BMW a competitor to the Tesla Model X.
Fast Charging
The German luxury automaker says Concept iX3 can use a fast-charging station generating up to 150 kW replenishing the battery in just 30 minutes. Concept iX3 looks a lot like the BMW X3, but with select electric design cues including the charging port located on the driver’s side front quarter panel. It also features the BMW i sub-brand logo, also featured on the driver’s side front quarter panel and in the SUV’s rear.
The battery powered SUV has the kidney shaped grille (it’s closed to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics), but it’s decorated in blue accents along the base. The blue accent color also is used along the side skirts and the rear diffuser of the Concept iX3, which was shown in a Moonstone Silver exterior paint color.
Concept iX3 features BMW’s fifth generation eDrive technology, which includes more powerful batteries. And the new tech aids performance and range, while shedding weight and improving packaging. BMW also has developed flexible vehicle architectures that allow for different drive types and gasoline engines, plug-in hybrid drive systems or all-electric powertrains to be integrated into any vehicle model. BMW said the Concept iX3 is one of the first vehicles to be designed using the flexible system which includes a unique rear axle subframe and a specific chassis integration.
