BMW Reveals All-Electric Concept iX3 in Beijing

BEIJING – BMW says lessons learned from operating its seven-year-old i sub-brand and technology originally developed for its upcoming iNext model have allowed it to provide the new Concept iX3 with “a new dimension in performance, operating range, weight and packaging.”

The new all-electric SUV, unveiled at the 2018 Beijing auto show, closely previews a new X3-based model being developed as a rival to the likes of the Tesla Model X, Audi e-Tron quattro and Mercedes-Benz EQ C.

The production version of the iX3 is planned to be the BMW Group’s third all-electric model, following the recently facelifted i3 and a production version of the earlier Mini E concept due out in 2019.

The Concept iX3 is planned to go on sale in North America in 2020 ahead of the launch of a production version of the Vision Efficient Dynamics sedan revealed at last year’s Frankfurt auto show featuring a similar powertrain that BMW Chairman Harald Kruger says is due out in 2021.

The styling of the Concept iX3 leans heavily on that of the standard X3. Among the design elements serving to differentiate it from existing gasoline and diesel versions of the third-generation SUV are a newly styled grille, re-profiled bumpers, aerodynamically optimized wheels shod with low-rolling-resistance tires, subtle additions to the sills and a new rear diffuser element.

At the heart of the Concept iX3 is a newly developed electric powertrain. Mirroring the unit to be adopted by the production version of the new SUV due out next year, it combines the German automaker’s fifth-generation electric motor with what are described as fourth-generation battery cells supplied by Samsung.

BMW says the new electric motor develops over 270 hp while the battery is claimed to possess an overall capacity of over 70 kWh. Together, they are claimed to give the new SUV an overall range of more than 249 miles (400 km) on Europe’s latest WLTP cycle.

As with the upcoming Audi e-Tron quattro, the new iX3 features a control unit that allows its battery to charge at so-called fast-charging stations generating up to 150kW. This allows it to be fully charged in just 30 minutes, the automaker says.

Further details made official by BMW at the launch of the iX3 reveal its powertrain is distinguished by a more compact design than that used by the existing i3 with the electric motor, transmission and power electronics grouped in a single component.

In a breakthrough BMW suggests will allow it to significantly reduce production costs over the unit now in use, the automaker also says its new electric motor can be produced without any rare earth metals.

The components for the new fifth-generation powertrain are supplied by production facilities in Germany, China and the U.S.

At the unveiling of its new concept at the Beijing auto show, BMW confirms it will establish Chinese production for the iX3 at a joint venture factory run in cooperation with Brilliance Automotive and located in Shenyang, China.