BMW’s first iX3 has left the factory in Shenyang, China as the German car producer started full production of their new all-electric SUV at the end of September. The iX3 was first seen in 2018 when BMW showed the world their concept version of this family-sized SUV. What’s different here is that the iX3 is their first all-electric BMW to use their fifth-generation electric powertrain technology.
This new powertrain technology is an integrated, compact and powerful set-up that features an 80 kWh battery that is made up of 10 modules and 188 prismatic cells. What this transfers to is a range of 286 miles (460km). That’s impressive for an SUV of this size.
The rear-wheel-drive iX3 is no slouch either driving from 0-62mph (100kph) in 6.8 seconds, with a top speed of 112mph (180kph). The iX3 has an on-board 11 kWh three-phase on-board charger that will take around 7.5 hours for a full charge. Using a 150 kWh DC fast charger the BMW can be charged up to 80 percent in just 34 minutes.
The new BMW is being produced at the BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) plant in Shenyang, China and will be exported to their markets around the world. Not many other non-Chinese car companies are doing this at present. It will be interesting to see if others follow suit with so much being invested in battery and powertrain technology in this region.
BMW’s new iX3 is the first all-electric car they have launched since their compact i3 hatchback back in 2013, excluding the Mini which is classed as its own brand. The new ix3 is now available for pre-order in the UK with prices starting at £61,900 for the Premier Edition. Deliveries are expected in the summer of 2021.
Franz Decker, head of BBA’s Technology and Production division, said: “Today we begin production of the BMW iX3, the first pure electric model from our core BMW brand. With a production system like this, specialised for high quality, we are able to deliver what customers worldwide demand from premium vehicles.”
