The next chapter in the BMW electrification plan will play out in 2020. The BMW iX3 is the brand’s first-ever fully electric SUV and an intermediate step towards future BMW electric vehicles. The EV crossover was introduced in concept form back in 2018 and it is now ready for production. Speaking of production, all the units will be manufactured in China and exported globally.
The iX3 is based on the long wheelbase X3 – G08 codename – and will be offered in the United States with a rear-wheel drive configuration. The name is rumored to be sDrive75, with “75” denoting the kWh capacity of its battery pack.
Before it arrives in the US, the iX3 will first be available to European customers. As it’s the case with all-new BMW models, the production will ramp in the months following the market launch which will coincide with a North American launch as well.
The electric motor in the BMW iX3 is rumored to produced around 300 horsepower. No word on the real life EV range, but a recent report by Automobile Mag puts the range at around 160 miles. The iX3 uses a fourth generation battery pack, hence the reduced range compared to the future BMW i4 and iNEXT.
Update: Our sources put the range at around 250 miles
Thanks to 150 kW charging, the BMW iX3 won’t leave you stranded for hours while you sit around, waiting for it to charge. With 150 kW, it’s said that it can charge 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
The U.S. model is said to come standard with self-driving capabilities, but it’s unclear at what level.
BMW’s recent presentation of “Iconic Sounds” was likely timed to prepare us for its market debut, which is said to be in the iX3.
