The BMW iX3 has been spotted running road trials again, following the Beijing debut of the Concept iX3 in April this year. Like the internal combustion engine-powered G01 X3, the iX3 (and the Concept iX3) is based on the CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform that underpins BMWs latest models, such as the G11 7 Series and the G30 5 Series.
This is similar to its rival from Stuttgart, the Mercedes-Benz EQC, which is built on a modular Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA) that builds upon the existing Modular Rear-wheel drive Architecture (MRA) of the GLC. In the case of the Concept iX3, powertrain is courtesy of a 268 hp (200 kW) electric motor that is fed by a 70 kWh battery pack, and boasts of a charging control unit that supports fast charging of up to 150 kW for a full charge in 30 minutes. This gives the Concept iX3 a range of over 400 km (WLTP), says BMW.
The development vehicle here appears to have not strayed far from its concept form, though certain design cues will be productionised for mass manufacture. This, as portrayed here, will include a more conventional kidney grille structure relative to the Concept iX3, and a slightly different lower intake within the front bumper. The iX3’s rear end also appears to be very similar to that on the Concept iX3, save for possibly detail changes to its rear bumper.
The rear diffuser elements may be changed en route to production, though here the structure appears to retains the concept’s three distinct segments. The iX3 will be produced in Shenyang, China by BMW Brilliance Automotive, and will go up against pure EV SUVs like the Jaguar I-Pace, Audi e-tron and the aforementioned Mercedes-Benz EQC.
GALLERY: BMW Concept iX3
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