BMW ROADTEST
ELECTRIC DREAMS
BMW’S IX3 TICKS ALL THE BOXES.
BY JON THOMSON
BMW IS A FASCINATING CAR COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO POSITION ITSELF IN THE LUXURY CAR REALM, FROM SMALL SPORTY HATCHES ALL THE WAY UP TO SUPERCARS AND LUXURY LIMOS.
The Bavarian manufacturer has also been able to successfully embrace the ever growing SUV market and also the brave new world of electric drivelines with some degree of aplomb and Germanic mastery. Beaches COVERED. had the chance to drive a new Bimmer recently, that not
only addresses the demand for small urban SUVs, but also the burgeoning demand for electric zero emission cars.
The question everyone asks with an electric car is, how far can it travel on a charge and what’s it go like?
Despite its price tag of around $115,000, the iX3 is surprisingly more affordable than similar electric SUV models from rivals Benz with its EQ and Audi’s e-tron, which are respectively around $10,000 and $35,000 more expensive than the iX3.
The range is impressive with a claimed 440 kilometres on a full charge, thanks to an electric consumption rate of 21.6kWh/100km in Australian specification. Given that the average Aussie car does about 260km per week, most people will be able to use the iX3 all week in urban situations without plugging in. With 440km of range, it would also enable most to travel to Melbourne with just one recharge around mid-way.
This makes the BMW iX3 one of the more affordable luxury electric SUVs on the market. Clearly there are less expensive electric cars, but the fact that this Bimmer looks pretty much the same as the conventional version and wears that iconic BMW badge adds to its allure with buyers.
60 // Beaches COVERED.
The iX3’s power comes from a singlemotor electric drivetrain boasting a 210kW/400Nm electric motor on the
