6 minute read
BMW iX3
iX3 proves BMW fans have nothing to fear from the electric switch
The iX3 offers everything great that you’d expect from a BMW... with electric power. No wonder Andrew Walker was so keen to give it a test drive
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The premium brands seem to be adding an electric SUV to their range on a weekly basis at the moment. Some are going down the all-new platform route – Jaguar I-PACE, for example, while others, notably Mercedes with the EQC, are tagging a battery on to an existing petrol/diesel design.
That’s what BMW has done with the electric iX3. While the iX3 is new, it’s based on the petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid X3 which has been around for a while.
However, as we found out on our test drive, this isn’t actually a hinderance.
We drove the Premier Edition Pro. This has only a limited release, so perhaps it’s better to look at models in and around that bracket as decent options. Customers can choose from the M Sport or M Sport Pro. M Sport costs from £59,730 and spec includes 19” alloys, automatic air con, an electric sunroof and parking sensors. M Sport Pro, adds 20” alloys, a head-up display, a Harman-Kardon stereo, parking assistance and auto high beam.
Rather than give their EV a ‘Gerry Anderson’ makeover, BMW has sensibly made the iX3 SUV look very much like a normal X3. Electric iX3 M Sport features slightly slimmer headlights, the wheels are black alloy and the kidney grille is also black, and that’s about that.
Slip inside and it’s a cracking set-up. We’ve driven almost all of the competition and although the BMW’s interior may not offer quite the X Factor of a Model 3, or even the Ford Mustang Mach E, it’s brilliantly put together and finished in top quality plastics and leather. BMW’s infotainment system is excellent, coming as it does with a super-clear screen and intuitive menus, all operated by the iDrive controller located on the centre console. Separate heating controls sit underneath and overall, it’s definitely a more conventional set up than found elsewhere.
Front seat passengers sit quite high and are cosseted in comfortable leather seats. Rear seat passengers have plenty of head and legroom, their own climate controls, an armrest with two cup holders and twin C USB inputs.
The boot is 40 litres smaller than in the standard X3, but still offers a useful 510 litres, while folding the rear seats flat increases this to 1,560 litres. The boot floor is flat and can be lifted to reveal storage for the cars two electric charging cables.
In cabin storage includes a good-sized glove box, front door pockets, a cubby in the centre consoles and under armrest storage.
Battery, range and charging
The iX3 features an 80kWh battery and 282 bhp electric motor. Range is claimed to be 280 miles.
Charging at home via a 7kW wall box, such as our own Rolec, takes 12 hours from empty to full. Those with three-phase electrics can take advantage of the BMW’s faster 11kW on-board charger and if you plug in to a 150kW ultra rapid charger, the iX3 will charge from 10-80% full, in only 30 minutes.
To retain your iX3’s battery range the car defaults to Eco Pro mode from take off. This setting works well, including on the motorway. The Comfort option is a happy compromise and is probably best for most situations. Sport mode sharpens the senses of the iX3 as well as the fun factor, but be warned, the ride gets much, much harsher – and the range falls away, as you’d expect.
The iX3’s regenerative braking system, features three regen settings: low, medium and high. They’re not as easy to find as you’d think and require a bit of fiddling. They are located within the infotainment system menu. By far the easiest way to select regen is to simply push the gear lever across to B mode, which acts as a rapid shortcut to the highest regeneration mode.
BMW has also added a fourth ‘Adaptive’ setting, whereby the SatNav and radar automatically decides which level of braking to use depending on the road and traffic conditions.
By selecting this option, BMW claims, almost all reducing speed scenarios can be handled without using the brake pedal.
TECH DATA
BMW ix3 Premier Edition Pro
Price: £61,770 CO2: 0 g/km Range: 280 miles Engine: 80kWh battery coupled to an electric motor 0-62: 6.8 seconds Top speed: 112mph Power/ torque: 282bhp/400Nm
Continued from page 19 Driving
The iX3 is rear wheel drive, which helps it feel lighter than many competitors as the battery is mounted along the floor. Indeed, it doesn’t feel like other large battery electric cars; it’s definitely more enjoyable and handles winding roads and sharp turns with aplomb.
The ride is a little firm but the damping is good, so pot holes and rough surfaces don’t intrude too much into the car’s ride. The steering is well judged and reacts splendidly to the drivers wishes.
With a full 282bhp on tap, the iX3 will go from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and does feel quick, as well as nimble.
There’s little road or wind noise entering the cabin and with easy Bluetooth or Apple CarPlay connectivity, you can wile away a long motorway drive to your hearts content.
In town, the iX3 is aided by a one pedal regeneration braking system, allowing you to drive using just one pedal. Even in maximum regeneration, it’s not too strong and definitely helps increase the battery range. We were averaging 3.3 miles a kWh and reckon that 250 miles is achievable in the iX3, if you avoid Sport mode and keep to motorway speed limits.
Pros and cons
It’s good to drive, brilliantly built, conventional looks, 1% BIK... and hey, it’s a BMW.
The main negative is, in common with all large battery EVs, it takes a while to charge the iX3. As a retail offering it’s not cheap either and in our opinion works best currently as a company car.
Knowing that BMW is always looking to make its cars drivable, it came as no surprise to us that the iX3 is, alongside the Jaguar I-PACE, the most enjoyable electric SUV we’ve driven yet.
Where other premium EVs’ ride quality suffers from the extra battery weight, the iX3 makes an excellent fist of making you forget the battery is even there. The power on offer and the torque only add to the fun factor.
Furthermore, you’d be hard pressed to find a better built electric car, with no noticeable short cuts to keep costs down taken on the materials used, from the door pockets, glove box through to the lower down plastics.
We’d also expect existing X3 corporate customers to be tempted by the full electric version’s 250 mile + range, which makes the iX3 very desirable indeed.
CC&V VERDICT
Typically BMW: premium quality motoring which oozes driver appeal and all backed by a 250-mile range if you are careful on your speed
CC&V RATING:
N N N N N
