BMW’s 'Neue Klasse' program includes a complete overhaul of its line-up, led by tech-laden EVs like the new iX3 and coming electric 3 Series, the i3.
Every model from here on will incorporate elements of Neue Klasse like design or cabin tech, but the iX3 gets the full overhaul. It is an all-new car. Not many carmakers can legitimately claim that these days.
To ram home how critical this new model philosophy is to BMW, the company has spent a total of €10 billion (A$17b) on Neue Klasse. No pressure on the iX3 then…
We spent some quality time with the new electric mid-size SUV in southern Spain at the international first drive to see if the investment has paid off. Spoiler alert: it has.
Underpinning the iX3 is new architecture designed for electric powertrains and a sophisticated software set-up with four ‘superbrains’, or computers, handling driving dynamics, automated driving and advanced driver assist, multimedia and in-car tech.
For now BMW has only revealed details of one grade, the highly specified iX3 50 xDrive. This is a dual-motor set-up (one motor on each axle) ensuring all-wheel-drive traction and the specs on paper are impressive.
Total outputs are 345kW of power and 645Nm of torque, allowing for a quick 0-100km/h time of 4.9sec. It has a 108kWh lithium-ion battery pack, housed under the floor with cylindrical cells.
The maximum charging rate is 400kW, which, using an 800-volt DC charging station, would theoretically allow you to add 350km of charge in just 10 minutes, or to recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes. It’s also capable of vehicle-to-load functionality for bi-directional charging.
BMW won’t release pricing until the new year, but given this is a sub-M flagship grade, it won’t be cheap. Considering its European pricing and how much rivals like the Porsche Macan 4 ($137,600) and Audi Q6 e-tron quattro ($122,500) cost in Australia, the 50 xDrive could slot somewhere between $120,000 and $130,000.
More grades will be revealed and confirmed, likely including more affordable single-motor grades, while a high-powered M version of iX3 is also expected.
But for now it’s all about the 50 xDrive. In the metal it’s a beautifully designed SUV. There’s a clear connection to the Neue Klasse X concept that came before it. The iX3 has few lines, with BMW designers instead opting for a cleaner approach.
Gone are circular headlights, replaced instead by quad vertical LED lights and (rather unsustainable) chrome is replaced by illumination for the toothy kidney grille. If you’re not a fan of BMW’s large vertical grilles, this version is much more subtle and works beautifully with the front-end styling.
The signature of the long, wide tail-lights looks brilliant and will stand out in the segment. The tailgate spoiler adds a sporty touch and the glasshouse is large without looking awkward.
It also bears no resemblance to the current internal combustion X3, which only went on sale in Australia early this year. That model was well into development when Neue Klasse was floated but expect it to gain design cues from iX3 when it gets its first major makeover in a couple of years.
Inside, the iX3 is like no BMW before it. Sustainable materials are found throughout, including leather, and there’s an absence of buttons with most functions housed in the central screen.
A key feature is the 'Panoramic iDrive' which includes a new version of an instrument cluster. Instead of a small screen immediately behind the steering wheel, the iX3 has a projection at the bottom of the windscreen stretching from A-pillar to A-pillar.
In practice, it’s hard to fault. The display is the right size and all the information you need is in your eye line. If the additional widgets on the passenger side are distracting you can simply remove them. I found no such distractions. This is a game-changing system and feels safer than having the speed and other key information in a central screen like many other EVs.
There’s loads of functionality in the central multimedia screen but once you spend some time getting to know it, it’s intuitive, fast and visually appealing.
BMW’s polarising four-spoke steering wheel (the fourth spoke is at 12 o'clock) is not to my taste visually (the M Sport two-spoke is nicer), but the functionality is cool. BMW’s ‘shy tech’ philosophy means certain functions on the wheel are only visible when they are available to use, like driver assist functions.
BMW has worked hard to improve its 'Intelligent Personal Assistant' voice command, but it was glitchy in the late production cars we drove. At one point I asked it to open the rear passenger window and it opened the front one instead. It’s also super sensitive. It activated every time I said ‘BMW’, which was a lot.
We used the sat-nav on our extensive drive and it's the most capable in-house system I’ve experienced.
Aside from the tech, the front seats are superb in regular spec and M Sport guise. Not as tight as some M Sport seats, and plush, with beautiful materials. The rear seats are flatter but there's plenty of leg and head room, as well as amenities like USB-C ports, air vents and climate controls.
The boot is long and can take 520 litres of cargo with all seats in place. There’s a 58L front trunk, too.
So far the iX3 impresses. But the on-road experience takes this car to another level.
Of course it’s quick, it’s an EV so that’s not hard. It’s the way it does everything else that elevates it.
The steering is phenomenal and a genuine highlight of the drive experience. There’s feeling behind it and the size and shape of the wheel adds to the engagement. It’s sharp (2.8 turns lock to lock), yet silky smooth.
That’s a word I used a lot driving this car - ‘smooth’. The iX3 does virtually everything smoothly. It’s effortless, but still a driver’s car.
The way this 2.3-tonne EV carves up corners is something to behold. It takes corners so confidently you’ll forget you’re driving a family SUV. BMW has engineered this car for fun. It bodes well for the coming i3 sedan.
It’s never floaty or bouncy. But it’s also not so pinned to the road that it’s unpleasant or firm. It’s flat, chuckable and nimble, but also a comfortable cruiser on the open road.
The ride quality is excellent even on 21-inch alloy wheels. In saying that, these were typically perfect European roads, so let's see how it goes on Australia's notoriously terrible surfaces.
The advanced driver assistance tech is also impressive and doesn’t intrude. BMW engineers worked hard to ensure the ADAS works with the driver, not against it. The 'Highway Assist' semi-self driving on the freeway worked without fault, changing lanes autonomously when safe to do so.
The iX3 even has a pleasant EV sound. There’s almost a hint of a six-cylinder petrol engine to the synthetic sound.
BMW says it is capable of energy efficiency of around 15.1kWh/100km. We saw figures around 18kWh. There was 715km of range (or 75 per cent capacity) left after 145km of driving.
Verdict
We’ll wait until we’ve driven Australian-spec cars on Aussie roads before giving our final verdict, but it’s clear this car is shockingly good. It’s hard to recall a car that’s so hard to fault. The BMW iX3 is easily one of the most impressive EVs I’ve ever driven. Comfortable, engaging, luxurious, technologically advanced, spacious and versatile. Every other premium brand is officially on notice.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
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