The first-ever fully electric BMW iX3 will arrive in New Zealand in Q4 2021.

The BMW iX3 will be positioned as a medium-sized SAV and the first model to fulfil BMW’s promised ‘Power of Choice’ strategy offering customers a choice of powertrains to choose from in the segment: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric options each offer benefits and suitability to customer’s preferred lifestyle, says BMW.

The all-new BMW iX3 will be built with Sustainability as a key focus, from procurement of raw materials via the supply chain, through to production, use phase and end-of-life recycling.

2022 bmw ix3 drivelife
BMW iX3

The amount of the raw cobalt material used in the high-voltage battery of the BMW iX3 has been reduced by around a third compared with the previous-generation battery in the 2019 BMW i3 model.

The BMW Group follows its own procurement process for the cobalt and lithium it supplies to the producers of the battery cells, part of which involves strict compliance with environmental and human rights standards. Renewable energy is used both for the manufacture of the battery cells and in the production of the vehicle.

The BMW-specific design principle that underpins the electric motor dispenses with the need for rare-earth metals in the momentum-generating rotor.

Extensive use of secondary raw materials in the manufacture of aluminium castings and thermoplastics further help the BMW Group achieve its ’80-40-20’ goals in cutting CO2 emissions and promoting its ‘Secondary First’ approach to resource use.

2022 bmw ix3 drivelife
BMW iX3

BMW iX3: Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology sets tone for the future

This model is the first to feature fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. This system is also found on the BMW iX, which launches in Q4 this year, and the BMW i4, which will go on sale in New Zealand by Q1 2022. Its integrated drive unit brings the electric motor, power electronics and transmission together within a single housing, and generates 210kW and 400Nm.  

The iX3 also features rear-wheel-drive – a hallmark BMW handling characteristic that carries over seamlessly into the world of EVs. The high-voltage battery in the BMW iX3 is also the product of fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology.

Its gross energy content of 80kWh and the exceptional efficiency of the electric motor enable a range of up to 460 kilometres as calculated on the WLTP test cycle.

2022 bmw ix3 drivelife
BMW iX3

BMW iX3: Flexible vehicle architecture with array of practicality features

The M Sport package, supplied as standard for all iX3 variants in New Zealand. The lower air intake, which comes with 10-stage active air flap control to cool the drive system components and brakes, has gained in size. The air curtains positioned at the outer edges of the front end are now L-shaped and carry blue accents.

The rear design is characterised by rear diffuser elements finished in Frozen Grey or optional BMW i Blue, while contours of the LED rear lights are in black.

2022 bmw ix3 drivelife
BMW iX3

BMW iX3: Driving pleasure and cabin controls further enhanced for new model

Blue accents applied to the Start/Stop button – which is now located in the centre console – as well as the gear selector lever and the BMW emblem on the steering wheel allude to the pure-electric drive system at the heart of the BMW iX3.

Other model-specific cues include the model lettering on the centre console and door sill plates bearing the BMW i logo. Standard-fitment ambient lighting additionally features BMW i blue illumination in its default setting.

2022 bmw ix3 drivelife
BMW iX3

BMW iX3: Highly integrated drive system with electrically excited electric motor

This has brought about an increase in power density of around 30 per cent compared with the BMW eDrive technology previously featured in electrified models.

The electric motor in the new BMW iX3 works according to the principle of an electrically excited synchronous motor and therefore differs significantly from other solutions on the market. The excitation of the rotor is not induced by fixed permanent magnets but rather the feed-in of electric power.

This design allows the rare earth metals required for magnetic components to be avoided entirely in the manufacture of the rotor. The latest version of the electric motor also demonstrates efficiency of up to 93 per cent – an increase of 53 per cent on modern combustion engines.

2022 bmw ix3 drivelife
BMW iX3

The drive system can rev to 17,000rpm and generates maximum output of 210kW, which is produced early and can be sustained over a wide rev band.

The motor’s peak torque of 400Nm can be summoned from rest thanks to thoughtfully managed excitation of the rotor and is likewise maintained into the upper reaches of the rev range. The motor’s drive power is transferred along the shortest possible path to the single-ratio transmission, which is installed in the same housing, and from there to the rear wheels.

The new BMW iX3 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 180km/h.

2022 bmw ix3 drivelife

BMW iX3: High-voltage, high-capacity battery

The new-generation battery has a gross energy content of 80kWh, of which 74kWh is utilised, giving it an advanced mass-to-capacity ratio. The high-voltage battery’s outstanding energy density, the electric motor’s outstanding efficiency, the adaptive recuperation function, a weight-minimising design and the reduction in the body’s aerodynamic drag add up to an all-encompassing sustainability concept and impressive capabilities in everyday use and over long-distance journeys.

The BMW iX3 therefore differs significantly from other electric vehicles in its segment whose range is boosted mostly by adoption of larger high-voltage batteries. These impact negatively on the vehicle’s weight and, by extension, its overall efficiency.

2022 bmw ix3 drivelife
BMW iX3

BMW iX3: Combined Charging Unit for fast charging at up to 150kW

When plugged into a BMW Wallbox, the high-voltage battery can be charged from 0 to 100 per cent in just 7.5 hours. A DC fast-charging station, meanwhile, can replenish the battery from 10 to 80 per cent of its full capacity in 32 minutes. A 10-minute charge at one of these stations provides enough power to add 100 kilometres to the driving range on the WLTP cycle.

2022 bmw ix3 drivelife
BMW iX3

BMW iX3: The all-new BMW iX3 and the ChargeNow network in New Zealand

BMW electric vehicle owners will also receive a 10% discount on all charging sessions used in the ChargeNow charging network for the first 24 months.

BMW iX3 pricing*

BMW iX3 Inspiring                          $114,900

BMW iX3 Impressive                     $124,900

BMW iX3 Inspiring:

Standard specification highlights:

  • Current-excited synchronous motor, rear
  • 80 kWh high-voltage battery unit
    • 210kW
    • 400Nm
    • 0-100km/h 6.8s
    • Max range (WLTP) = 460km
  • M Sport Package, M high gloss Shadow Line roof rails and window décor strips
  • Panorama glass sunroof
  • 19″ M light alloy Aerodynamic wheels style 842 M Bicolour
  • Adaptive Suspension
  • Adaptive LED headlights incl. High Beam Assistant
  • Driving Assistant Professional
  • Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
  • Automatic climate control
  • Leather ‘Vernasca’ Upholstery
  • Instrument panel in Sensatec
  • Sport seats for driver and front passenger, electrically heated
  • Electric seat adjustment
  • Interior ambient lighting package
  • Galvanic embellishers for controls
  • Reclining function for second seating row
  • Comfort Access
  • Automatic tailgate operation
  • BMW Live Cockpit Professional featuring BMW Operating System 7
  • Smartphone Integration
  • Hifi sound system
  • Wireless Charging for smartphone
  • DAB+ digital radio
  • ChargeNow Membership
  • Model 2 Domestic charger
  • Model 3 Public charging cable
  • Vehicle pre-heating/pre-conditioning

BMW iX3 Impressive:

Standard specification highlights (in addition to iX3 Inspiring):

  • 20″ M light alloy wheels Y-spoke style 890 M Bicolour
  • Parking Assistant Plus, incl. Reversing Assistant
  • Acoustic Glass
  • BMW Head-up Display
  • BMW IconicSounds Electric
  • Comfort Access feat. Digital Key
  • Gesture control
  • harman/kardon 16-speaker surround sound system
  • Lumbar support
2022 bmw ix3 drivelife
BMW iX3

BMW iX3: Optional Equipment

Option Cost
Adaptive M Suspension$1,100
BMW Drive Recorder$400
BMW Lights Shadowline$700
M Seat belts$500
Towbar, electrically folding (Max Tow Capacity 750kg with 75kg tow ball limit [unbraked])$2,600
Sun Protection Glazing$1,200
BMW Laserlight$2,500
M High Gloss Shadowline (Kidney Grille & Mirror Caps)$1,100

BMW iX3 – Technical Data

VariantPowerTorque0-100km/h (sec)Battery
(kWh)
Range
(km, WLTP)
iX3 (both)210kW400Nm6.880460

BMW iX3 – Charging Data

Charging rateBoth variants
Max DC Charge Rate150kW
Range from 10 mins charge at Public Charger (max rate)100km
Public Charging 10 – 80% charge (max rate)0:32hrs (approx.)
BMW i Wallbox 10 – 80% charge (11kW rate)7:30hrs (approx.)
Domestic socket 10 – 80% charge (approx. 1.8kW rate)44:00hrs (approx.)
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BMW iX3
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How on earth to start this? I've been car/bike/truck crazy since I was a teen. Like John, I had the obligatory Countach poster on the wall. I guess I'm more officially into classic and muscle cars than anything else - I currently have a '65 Sunbeam Tiger that left the factory the same day as I left the hospital as a newborn with my mother. How could I not buy that car? In 2016 my wife and I drove across the USA in a brand-new Dodge Challenger, and then shipped it home. You can read more on www.usa2nz.co.nz. We did this again in 2019 in a 1990 Chev Corvette - you can read about that trip on DriveLife. I'm a driving instructor and an Observer for the Institute of Advanced Motorists - trying to do my bit to make our roads safer.

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