The launch of the BMW iX3 electric SUV is nearing its planned point, and while we here in North America won’t be getting shipped any, that doesn’t mean the rest of the world won’t have another electric car to look forward to.
Recently BMW gave an update on the production progress of the iX3. With all the events going on in the world, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some sort of delay hit the launch of the electric SUV. However, it looks like its all green lights as the iX3 recently completed its homologation and has been successfully approved by authorities. The process involved “more than 340 hours of testing, including over 7700 kilometers of test drives, had to be completed within four weeks.”
At least 200 pre-production models at the BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture (BBA) in China have already been produced to fine-tune any adjustments that needed to be made during testing.
Robert Küssel, BBA Plant Director Dadong, further reaffirmed that the iX3 was on schedule, stating:
“We are right on schedule with our BMW iX3 pre-production vehicles and will launch standard production in late summer, using state-of-the-art technologies such as custom installation of the new high-voltage battery and artificial intelligence for monitoring parts. We are also producing the fully-electric BMW iX3 and the BMW X3 with combustion engine on the same production line. This enables us to achieve high efficiency and flexibility in production,”
The BMW iX3 represents a handful of ‘firsts’ for the company.
The first of which is the implementation of their “power of choice” objective and flexible vehicle architecture. The X3/iX3 will be the first BMW that will be available in both conventional gasoline and diesel engines, a plug-in hybrid system, or a purely electric powertrain. This allows for further flexibility for the company’s production and allows an easier time for allocating hybrids and fully electric versions to more strict countries while allowing for gasoline versions to come to less strict nations.
Secondly, the iX3 will be the first BMW that will feature their new fifth-generation eDrive technology. The automaker touts that the drive unit with the electric engine, power electronics, and transmission are now highly integrated into a central housing, allowing for further space savings. Additionally, the electric motors no longer use any rare earth metals, so BMW will not have to be reliant on their availability in the future.
The same eDrive technology will also be found in the upcoming i4 and iNEXT.
With the start of production nearing, BMW has yet to provide final specification on the BMW iX3, but states that the WLTP range will be around 440 km (273 miles).
How are you guys feeling about the BMW iX3? Still confused as to why the iX3 won’t make its way to North America, or do you understand the decision made by BMW? Let us know down in the comments below.
