Following the announcement of the first fully electric-powered BMW X model earlier this summer, BMW is this week revealing the launch specifications for the BMW iX3 in the UK market.
Launching in summer 2021, UK customers will be able to choose between the iX3 Premier Edition and BMW iX3 Premier Edition Pro, both offering a significant level of standard equipment over and above the current X3.
The BMW X3 will be the brand’s first model offered with a pure-electric drive system, a plug-in hybrid system or highly efficient petrol and diesel engines.
Related: BMW to recall plug-in hybrid vehicles over short-circuit fears
The highly integrated drive system technology at the heart of the new BMW iX3 plays a particularly important role in optimising efficiency and power development.
The electric motor, transmission and power electronics are now arranged together in a single housing.
The electric motor in the new BMW iX3 works according to the principle of a current-excited synchronous motor, without the use of magnets.
This design eliminates the use of rare earth materials of the motor.

The power density of the electric motor in the iX3 is 30 per cent greater than that of existing fully-electric vehicles within the BMW Group portfolio.
The motor is up to 93 per cent efficient, compared with under 40 per cent for combustion engines.
The new drive system unit generates maximum output of 286 hp and peak torque of 295 lb-ft which, unlike many other electric motors, is sustained at high revs.
The new BMW iX3 sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds, putting it in the same territory as the conventionally powered BMW X3 xDrive30i.
Top speed is electronically limited to 112 mph.
Related: New BMW M5 Competition revealed
Sending power to the rear wheels creates a characteristic BMW driving experience with outstanding traction ensured thanks to the standard-fit ARB technology.
Cutting-edge battery-cell technology plays a headline role in the latest development stage of high-voltage batteries.
The storage capacity of the battery has been substantially increased, relative to the installation space required and its weight.
The gravimetric energy density of the 188 prismatic cells in the new BMW iX3 is around 20 per cent higher than that of the battery cells used by the BMW Group in its fully-electric vehicles up to now.
A gross energy content of 80 kWh – of which 74 kWh is utilised – and the high efficiency of the drive systems allow the new BMW iX3 to offer a range of up to 279 miles (WLTP test cycle).

Another technical highlight making its debut in iX3 thanks to BMW Group’s fifth-generation eDrive technology is the innovative new charging unit, which sends power to both the 400V battery and the 12V on-board power supply.
When charging using alternating current, it enables both single-phase and three-phase charging at up to 11 kW.
Related: Updated Jaguar F-Pace details released
Plugging the vehicle into a direct current rapid-charging station opens the door to charging outputs of up to 150 kW, meaning the high-voltage battery can be charged from 0 to 80 per cent of its full capacity in 34 minutes.
Drivers can inject the power required to add 62 miles to the car’s driving range (in the WLTP cycle) in just 10 minutes.
Pricing for the BMW iX3 Premier Edition starts from £61,900 OTR and £64,900 OTR for the Premier Edition Pro.