BMW has unveiled its first electric SUV, the 2021 BMW iX3. BMW gave us a preview of the iX3 as a concept in April 2018 at the Beijing Motor Show and as expected, the production version is nearly identical to the concept.
The iX3 is based on the standard X3 SUV with the biggest differences being a unique grille and lower ride height. The iX3 sits 2.9 inches lower than the combustion powered X3 and the large kidney grille has been closed off, since it doesn’t need to feed air to a traditional engine under the hood.
The iX3 is powered by a single electric motor that powers the rear wheels. The electric motor generates 282 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which is enough power to accelerate the iX3 from 0 to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. The iX3 features an 80-kWh battery pack that gives it 286 miles of range on Europe’s WLTP cycle.
Using a 150-kW DC fast charger the iX3 can be recharged from 0 to 80 percent in 34 minutes and a 10 minute charge adds 62 miles of range.
The 2021 BMW iX3 will be built in Shenyang, China. Now for the bad news, BMW currently has no plans to sell the iX3 in the United States.
