With Jaguar leading an all out assault on the electric car establishment that is Tesla with their i-Pace it was only a matter of time before another premium manufacturer gave chase. While BMW is no stranger to hybrid technology as featured in the i8 super car they have yet to produce a car that runs on battery power alone. Jaguar has been leading the charge in the premium car segment when it comes to electrification but BMW might change the status quo.
Enter the iX3 Concept. Essentially this is another Sport Activity Vehicle based on the BMW X3 but with an all electric power train as opposed to the diesel and petrol engines on offer in the latter. The concept features a single electric motor developing about 200 kw(270hp) of power. The iX3 Concept also features a high voltage battery with a capacity of over 70 kwh. This endows the iX3 with a claimed range of over 400 km(249 miles). The batteries have been prepped for fast charging and can be topped up in half an hour from any fast charging stations.
The familiar visual cues of BMW’s i models are present on the iX3. The kidney grille has been closed off and the blue accenting from the rest of BMW’s i range is present around the kidney grille, the side skirts and the logos.
While still a concept for now the iX3 will most likely make it to production with the design largely intact save for perhaps those crazy rims. The iX3 concept is having its world premier at the Auto China show in Beijing today and will be on show until the 5th of May.
