MUNICH: The new BMW iX3 40 will be an entry-level model in the range of the all-electric Neue Klasse Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV).
Equipped with a 320hp electric motor and rear-wheel drive, the iX3 40 shares both its styling and standout technological innovations with the iX3 50 xDrive.
It offers up to 395 miles or 636km (WLTP) of range.
The new iX3 40 is powered by new sixth-generation (Gen6) BMW eDrive technology developed specially for the Neue Klasse.
All components are designed for 800V technology.
An electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) is integrated into the rear axle and drives the rear wheels.
The electric motor develops 320hp and 500Nm of torque.
The new BMW iX3 40 accelerates from rest to 62mph or 100kph in 5.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 124mph or 200kph.
The 82.6kWh high-voltage battery's lithium-ion cylindrical cells have 20 per cent greater energy density than the prismatic cells used for Gen5 BMW eDrive technology.
The maximum charging rate is 300kW when plugged into an 800V direct current (DC) fast-charging station.
Doing so enables the new iX3 40 to add up to 186 miles or 299km to its range in just 10 minutes.
The battery can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes at a DC charging station.
Charging using alternating current (AC) at a rate of up to 11 kW is possible as standard.
The BMW iX3 40 is capable of bidirectional charging.
The Neue Klasse design continues inside the cabin, where the revolutionary display and operating concept, BMW Panoramic iDrive with new BMW Operating System X, redefines the user experience.
The multimodal operating logic of BMW Panoramic iDrive combines touch, haptic and voice-based interaction.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant plays a central role in the operating concept of the new BMW iX3.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant helps to operate the windows, air conditioning and seating comfort, manage phone calls, control in-car entertainment and more.
The AI technology used is a Large Language Model (LLM) – a generative AI that understands language and can formulate its own responses.
The new electronics and software architecture includes four “superbrains” that deliver more than 20 times greater processing power than those utilised within previous models.
The Heart of Joy control computer with BMW Dynamic Performance Control software, developed fully in-house, responds 10 times faster than previous systems.
Another milestone is the Soft Stop function.
Thanks to precise control of the electric motor, the new iX3 40 brakes to a complete halt without any jerks or noise, delivering the smoothest stopping process in the history of the brand.
