BMW News

bmwnews

BMWs iX3 receives a facelift

BMW’s iX3 has undergone a facelift, mostly consisting of an exterior design refresh with hints of the iX and i4 in its styling. The new look also comes with the M Sport Package as standard in the UK. The BMW kidney grille is now larger than before and has a single-piece frame that comes in pearl-effect chrome with, in familiar BMW i-style, a blue accent along the inner edges. The inner surfaces of the kidney grille elements have a mesh-like structure and feature a BMW i badge. The headlight contours are now ten millimetres slimmer, helping to give the new BMW iX3 a sharper look. The lower air intakes have been enlarged and they contain a ten-stage active air flap that cools the drive system components and brakes. The air curtains positioned at the outer edges of the front end are now L-shaped and have blue accents.

The iX3 deploys BMW Group’s fifthgeneration eDrive technology including an innovative charging unit that sends power to both a 400V battery and a 12V on-board power supply. It’s compatible with both single-phase and three-phase alternating current charging at up to 11kW. Plugging the vehicle into a direct current rapid-charging station allows it to take on 150kW, meaning the high-voltage battery can be charged from 0 to 80% of its full capacity in 34 minutes.

Customers of both the iX3 M Sport and iX3 M Sport Pro have the choice of four exterior colours: Carbon Black, Mineral White, Phytonic Blue and Sophisto Grey. Black High Gloss exterior trim is also standard, as are 19” black aerodynamic wheels, an automatic tailgate, adaptive suspension, a heated steering wheel and a panoramic sunroof. Vernasca leather in a choice of four colours, BMW’s Sensatec dashboard, sun protection glazing, ambient lighting and electric seats are offered as standard. Additional standard features include the M Sport Package, wireless phone charging, heated front seats and the brand’s very latest driver assistance technology, including Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant and BMW Live Cockpit Professional.

For customers choosing the BMW iX3 M Sport Pro model, additional standard features include BMW Head-up Display, Harman Kardon surround sound, gesture control, Parking Assistant Plus, darkened headlights, automatic high beam assistant, comfort access and lumbar support.

Two models are available, an iX3 M Sport with 286hp and 400Nm of torque that can sprint to 60mph from rest in 6.5 seconds, while the top speed is 112mph. The range is 281 to 286 miles and it costs £59,730 OTR.

The iX3 M Sport Pro has the same power output, performance and range of its brother, but costs £62,730 OTR thanks to the extra kit this model is equipped with.

AC Schnitzer launches new wheel design

Well known Aachen-based tuner AC Schnitzer has launched a brand new wheel, the AC4 Flowform wheel. Flow forming is one of the most advanced manufacturing technologies to enter the wheel industry. The flow forming process stretches and compresses the aluminium, which increases tensile strength. In this respect the process shares similar properties to those found in the forging process. The final product is lighter, stronger and has much greater shock resistance as well as an increased load capacity over regular cast wheels.

The AC4 wheel is available at launch in 8.5” x 20” and 9.5” x 20” sizes and available in two colours: diamond-cut silver and black bi-colour, or high-gloss black. The wheels are available for most BMW models and larger sizes will be available shortly. Contact AC Schnitzer in the UK for more info – ac-schnitzer.co.uk

Alpina XD3 and XD4 refresh

The midlife facelift carried out by BMW on the X3 and X4 models has affected the iX3 as reported on these pages, and it also affects both the Alpina XD3 and XD4 models. Both of the Alpinas receive the X3’s midlife styling updates highlighted in the iX3 report. Alpina has taken advantage of this refresh to improve the dynamics of both models, something we applaud. The 3-litre quad-turbo straight-six engine that powers both models now delivers an impressive 394hp, while torque jumps to 800Nm, an increase of 30Nm on its predecessor. This enables both models to sprint to 60mph from rest in 4.3 seconds, impressive indeed. The XD3’s top speed has increased to 166mph, while the slightly more slippery XD4 hits 167mph. Not bad for a diesel 4x4 that also returns an average 40mpg on the combined cycle.

Alpina has also revised the variable sports steering to provide even sharper and more responsive handling, while BMW’s Parking Assistant and electrically folding exterior mirrors with anti-dazzle are now included as standard.

Both vehicles can be ordered now, with deliveries starting in November 2021. No prices were available as we went to press for UK RHD models.

Visitors can experience the iX5 Hydrogen at IAA Mobility 2021

The BMW Group is pushing forward with development of hydrogen fuel cell technology as an additional option for sustainable individual mobility. Two years after unveiling the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT concept car, the company will present the BMW iX5 Hydrogen at the IAA Mobility 2021. Currently still in series development, the iX5 with hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain will be one of several vehicles visitors can experience as they are driven along the Blue Lane connecting the main exhibition grounds with other exhibition venues in the city centre.

The BMW i brand could, in the future, also offer vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell drivetrains, in addition to battery-electric models such as the BMW i3, BMW iX3, BMW iX and BMW i4. Provided the hydrogen is produced using renewable energy and the necessary infrastructure is available, it can meet the needs of customers who do not have their own access to electric charging infrastructure, frequently drive long distances or desire a high degree of flexibility.

The drive system uses hydrogen as fuel by converting it into electricity in a fuel cell and delivers an electrical output of up to 170hp. In coasting overrun and braking phases, it serves as a generator, feeding energy into a power battery. The energy stored in this battery can be accessed for sporty driving manoeuvres and delivers a system output of 374hp, guaranteeing the brand’s signature driving experience.

The IAA Mobility 2021/IAA Munich (Motor Show) runs from 7th to 12th September 2021.