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The BMW iX3, the electric version of the brand’s popular mid-size SUV, has been updated ahead of its Australian launch.
The iX3 is confirmed to arrive in Australia before the end of the year, wearing a before-on-roads price-tag (MSRP) of $114,900. Featuring the brand’s 'fifth-generation' eDrive electric technology, the updated iX3 will be built in China. The single specification has a claimed 460km range using the WLTP standard.
While Australians never had a chance to see the pre-facelift model, this new one brings a larger grille, more slimline LED headlight cluster design, and new three-dimensional structures for the rear light clusters.
It also now comes standard with an M Sport package in our market, featuring slightly more aggressive bodywork items and 20-inch alloys. The new design is said to bring the iX3 more in line with its iX and i4 siblings.
On the inside the BMW iX3 scores a 12.3-inch digital dashboard and matching multimedia display with an updated software suite which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, an updated version of the brand’s built-in navigation, as well as new app functions and voice controls. The interior has been updated with a new centre console and shifter design from the outgoing version.
Standard items in Australia also include adaptive suspension, leather interior trim, head-up display, interior ambient lighting, sports seats with electric heating and power adjust, 16-speaker premium audio and a wireless phone charger. An unusual bonus for buyers, BMW includes both a wall socket to Type 2 charger, and a Type 2 to Type 2 public charging cable as part of the standard items in Australia
The motor is mounted on the rear axle and produces 210kW/400Nm, allowing a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.8 seconds. The motor is backed by a 74kWh battery pack for the aforementioned 460km driving range, able to be charged via a European-standard Type 2 CCS cable.
The iX3 will consume 18.5kWh/100km, less on the combined cycle than its Audi e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC rivals.
The iX3 can charge at a maximum rate of 150kW on DC, allowing 100km of range to be added every 10 minutes, or a 10-80 per cent charge in just 32 minutes. The iX3 also has an 11kW AC to DC converter, allowing a charge time of 7.5 hours from a wallbox or public terminal.
iPhone users will also be able to set up a digital key for the iX3, with the ignition being triggered by the placement of the phone on the wireless charging bay. The car is said to generate a unique driving noise depending on which drive mode is selected.
The iX3 comes standard with the full suite of BMW safety features featuring freeway-speed auto emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with emergency assist, front and rear cross traffic alert, reverse auto braking, intersection assist and adaptive cruise control with a stop and go functionality, and red light detection.
Front and rear parking sensors are also standard, with a 3D surround-view camera suite able to be optioned with an auto parking feature. The brand says it can also use the car’s camera suite as a built-in drive recorder.
The iX3 will arrive in Australia in November in a single specification, with the M-Sport pack standard. It will also come with all public charging cables. The brand's local division also informed us that a new wallbox design with updated specification will be made available around the same time, with pricing and detailed specification to be confirmed at a later date.
The electric mid-size SUV will be one part of a new BMW electric vehicle onslaught and will also be joined by the iX large SUV and i4 sedan within the next year.
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