BMW's upcoming all-electric BMW iX3 has been spotted with minimal disguise on German roads ahead of its launch next year.
The new images are the most revealing prototype shots of the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi E-tron rival since the company previewed the iX3 concept at the Beijing motor show in April 2018.
The latest shots reveal a car that appears close to production and the minimal camouflage wrap highlights a number of previously unconfirmed details about the model's design. The lack of any visible exhaust pipe and presence of an 'Electric Test Vehicle' warning sticker are obvious giveaways of the car's identity.
BMW's trademark kidney grille is also blanked off, as with the concept, but elsewhere the iX3 retains a strong resemblance to its petrol- and diesel-powered counterpart. The car appears to sit comfortably alongside other models in BMW's stable. Any necessary modifications to the standard BMW X3 appear to have been subtly concealed, whereas the radical designs of the earlier BMW i3 and BMW i8 were heavily influenced by the new technology they exhibited.
The car's zero-emission powertrain will be at the heart of 11 upcoming electric vehicles from the German car maker. BMW is allowing potential buyers of the iX3 to register their interest online, ahead of the model's planned 2019 release date.
BMW reveals iX3 electric SUV concept at 2018 Beijing motor show
BMW says lessons learnt through the establishment of its i sub-brand and recent developments surrounding its upcoming iNext model have allowed it to provide the new Concept iX3 with a “new dimension” in performance, operating range, weight and packaging over its first dedicated electric-powered production model, the three-year-old i3.
The new pure-electric SUV, unveiled at the 2018 Beijing motor show, closely previews a new X3-based model being developed as a rival to the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace, Audi E-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC.
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Give the car a chance
Not everyone wants a car that looks totally different to everything else. The styling of this new BMW may not set the world on fire, but it will probbaly fit the bill for many people. It may also have a decent towing capacity. The Jag I-pace can tow all of 750kg ! People bang on about electirc cars should be different because there is so much more flexibility with packaging. Well in many ways there is not. You still need the drive motors instead of a regular transmisison and diffs, you need cooling and heating systems, you need the much larger battery instead of a fuel tank. With regard to batteries it is less simple than a fuel tank. Fuel tanks can be easily made into all sorts of strange shapes to utilise otherwise wasted space, whereas batteries need to be in one or two large modules which are very strong, and have the required heating and cooling systems within them. The obvious place for these is under the floor. Modern crash tests dictate that you need a reasonable amount of bonnet space, just to allow sufficient areas for crumple zones. You might as well use teh space there for all the ancillary electronics, heatin/coling systems, steering, possibly a heat pump and any other components such as air suspension compressor. Time will tell, but I think many people actually want a standard looking car. For those who don't, buy an I-pace. At least there is now the choice!
That grille ...
is so hideous!!
And surely this is smaller/cheaper than an iPace?
Released in 2019 - available
Released in 2019 - available in 2020...playing catch up to Hyundai/Kia never mind Jaguar...buying batteries from Samsung...no dedicated charger system...boring design....total mediocrity