BMW iX3 is a 286hp, rear-drive EV SAV

BMW iX3 is a 286hp, rear-drive EV SAV

Author
Discussion

T1berious

2,282 posts

157 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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I'm quite excited about a 1 series with that layout. that would win as a quickish electric hatch, especially if it remains RWD.

Guessing an AWD variant will be on the cards with a hit on the range but still a good idea as 1 series

robertdon777

170 posts

65 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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Why are BMW embarrassed by their double kidney??

Why turn it into a Kia grille?

biggles330d

1,558 posts

152 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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I'm sure it'll sell in droves, but my god does it look dull.

I loved the boldness of the i3 and i8 - genuinely ground up approach to the design. I'm on my second i3 (an i3s) and regardless of its lesser range would have zero interest in changing it for one of these. This just reinforces my view that my current i3s is a keeper if this is the direction of future BMW ev models.


Lt. Coulomb

202 posts

56 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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Is that a Kia ”tiger nose” transplant? biggrin

petemurphy

10,143 posts

185 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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nunpuncher said:
EVs are the worlds chance to break away from horrible and unnecessary SUVs
whatever

griffdude

1,826 posts

250 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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NormalWisdom said:
Indeed - The "kidney" has been replaced by a pair of sunglasses!! Not very cool
Looks like a Kia.

classic1952

10 posts

106 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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It looks like a Skoda.

Miserablegit

4,061 posts

111 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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sutts said:
I prefer my 286 bhp, rwd BMW in this form:



I wonder if anyone at BMW noticed the coincidence?

Edited by sutts on Wednesday 18th December 11:31
I'm not a BMW fan- that is lovely and so is the CSL.


runnerbean 14

277 posts

136 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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Tesla Model 3 LR AWD has proper 4x4, more power and >70 miles more WLTP range than the iX3 claims from a battery with approximately the same energy rating. Vehicle probably weighs a fair bit less as well. Tesla Model Y, as an SUV arguably more comparable, still claims >50 more WLTP miles.

While the WLTP test isn't in any way real-world, it's a very useful apples with apples comparable and shows that Tesla is ahead on the numbers at least. Furthermore you can buy a Model 3 now.

gonzales_turbo

236 posts

211 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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Pistonheads said:
The iX3 is going to be built by BMW Brilliance Automotive in Shenyang, with production commencing at some point in 2020
I, for one, welcome our new electric overlords.


As it emerges in some quite recent economic articles, the rate at which EU (and some countries) is imposing new and unpredictable/unachievable rules has dire consequences for the industrial future of Europe. In a manner not so different from the rate at which multinationals have been leaving the UK in the last two years due to ever increasing unpredictability, production is leaving.
And so, as many others will undoubtedly follow, a high-margin "high-volume" car from a European manufacturer is being made in China.
It's time to prevent blind people from positions where a long-term vision is required...

PS: ugly car, ugly pics, aerodynamically inept bus that will be as useful on motorways as the other two German e-SUV.

1-2-4-5-3

14 posts

61 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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runnerbean 14 said:
Tesla Model 3 LR AWD has proper 4x4, more power and >70 miles more WLTP range than the iX3 claims from a battery with approximately the same energy rating. Vehicle probably weighs a fair bit less as well. Tesla Model Y, as an SUV arguably more comparable, still claims >50 more WLTP miles.

While the WLTP test isn't in any way real-world, it's a very useful apples with apples comparable and shows that Tesla is ahead on the numbers at least. Furthermore you can buy a Model 3 now.
European car makers are playing it very safe with battery longevity by not fully utilising 100% battery capacity. Jury is out on whether Tesla have better batteries or simply have a greater appetite for risk.

kambites

67,726 posts

223 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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Motospook said:
Obviously you don't like them but the main criticism you can level at them is their environmental impact over a 'normal' car because of all the unnecessary weight they carry around. However, at the point a vehicle is fully electric (and charged on green electricity) it doesn't matter what shape or size it is....
Well yes and no; any reduction in weight or especially drag will have a positive effect on range and effective charging speeds (in terms of distance charged per unit time). You've only got to look at the miles per KWH of the Hyundai Kona and Ioniq; or Tesla X and S; to see the difference it makes and it's not insignificant.

I'm not saying that SUVs are going to go away with EVs, the advantages they offer will still sell them. However, to say the disadvantages they bring are lessened with EVs is debatable.

kambites

67,726 posts

223 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
quotequote all
1-2-4-5-3 said:
European car makers are playing it very safe with battery longevity by not fully utilising 100% battery capacity. Jury is out on whether Tesla have better batteries or simply have a greater appetite for risk.
Tesla have the advantage of far better battery cooling than most manufacturers, which will offset their smaller battery reserve to an extent. Especially range degradation due to fast charging.

JD

2,799 posts

230 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
quotequote all
gonzales_turbo said:
Pistonheads said:
The iX3 is going to be built by BMW Brilliance Automotive in Shenyang, with production commencing at some point in 2020
I, for one, welcome our new electric overlords.
Well the batteries are bought from China and the drivetrain from Korea so it makes sense to make it over that way I guess!

hyphen

26,262 posts

92 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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runnerbean 14 said:
Tesla Model Y, as an SUV arguably more comparable, still claims >50 more WLTP miles.
Ok so 50 miles more which is a plus to Y.

Does Y have Android play? Apple play? Which has the bigger boot? which is more expensive and how big is the difference? How long till delivery from orderer date. Availablity of spare parts? And so on.

When a buyer makes a decision, all these questions will be asked. So will Y be a winner all around?

Edited by hyphen on Wednesday 18th December 19:44

SRT77

677 posts

220 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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Well, that must have taken all of ten minutes in the BMW paint by numbers SUV design department.

9k rpm

531 posts

212 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
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Definite potential next car for the Mrs. She likes her current X1 as she likes being high up and it’s easier to get our small kids in and out of their car seats, we could do with a bit more room in the family car and she never drives more than 200 miles in one hit. Thus this ticks a lot of boxes.
Not sure why all the hate for the design it’s just the current model X3 that they’ve dropped a motor and some batteries into. I think it’s sensible not going bonkers with a new design; can just ease punters into the EV scene.
Current X3 build quality is excellent too I just hope the price isn’t stupid.

Kolbenkopp

2,343 posts

153 months

Wednesday 18th December 2019
quotequote all
T1berious said:
I'm quite excited about a 1 series with that layout. that would win as a quickish electric hatch, especially if it remains RWD.

Guessing an AWD variant will be on the cards with a hit on the range but still a good idea as 1 series
Yeah, was thinking the same -- an iX1 this would sound very interesting.

Wills2

23,310 posts

177 months

Thursday 19th December 2019
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classic1952 said:
It looks like a Skoda.
I didn't know Skoda made an X3?

rodericb

6,833 posts

128 months

Thursday 19th December 2019
quotequote all
kambites said:
Motospook said:
Obviously you don't like them but the main criticism you can level at them is their environmental impact over a 'normal' car because of all the unnecessary weight they carry around. However, at the point a vehicle is fully electric (and charged on green electricity) it doesn't matter what shape or size it is....
Well yes and no; any reduction in weight or especially drag will have a positive effect on range and effective charging speeds (in terms of distance charged per unit time). You've only got to look at the miles per KWH of the Hyundai Kona and Ioniq; or Tesla X and S; to see the difference it makes and it's not insignificant.

I'm not saying that SUVs are going to go away with EVs, the advantages they offer will still sell them. However, to say the disadvantages they bring are lessened with EVs is debatable.
+1. So it makes no difference what the shape or size (ergo, bugger the need for energy efficiency) yet we'll change a stack of light globes to save ten quid in electricity per year.