Concept iX3 shows BMW electric direction
The BMW Group is pushing ahead with its electrification strategy by extending the reach of its all-electric mobility offering to the company’s core brands.
The BMW Concept iX3 – presented for the first time at the Auto China 2018 show in Beijing – offers a look ahead to the expansion of the model line-up in this area.
The first model from the BMW brand to be driven purely by electric power will be a fully-fledged Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) – and without compromises when it comes to functionality and comfort.
The BMW Concept iX3 underscores the BMW Group’s resolve to further strengthen its leading position in the field of electric mobility.
Among the innovations showcased in the BMW Concept iX3 is the fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology.
A key benefit of this electric drive technology of the future is the grouping together of the electric motor, transmission and power electronics within a new, separate electric drive component.
Plus, the fifth-generation electric drive system also includes new and more powerful batteries. This fresh package of technology brings considerable advances in terms of performance characteristics, operating range, weight, packaging space and flexibility – and will be making its debut in the purely electrically driven SAV.
The transfer of the drive system technology originally developed for BMW i cars into vehicles from the BMW Group’s core brands is entering a new dimension here.
Fully electrified vehicles of the core brand will in future bear a BMW i brand logo.
The fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology is distinguished by its extremely compact design.
The electric motor, transmission and power electronics are now grouped into a single component, making it much easier to integrate them into different vehicle architectures. Plus, their modular construction enables them to be adapted to the performance levels required and the available space.
Another notable element is that the electric motor does not need any rare earths, which means the BMW Group is not dependent on their availability.
BMW Concept iX3 has a more than 200 kW (270 hp) electric motor and a WLTP range of more than 400 km (249 miles).