- BMW has revealed the new iX3 will debut at the Munich Motor Show in September.
- EPA range expected to reach 400 miles thanks to high-density cylindrical battery cells.
- New Motorway & City Assistant system can brake for red lights and resume when green.
BMW has released new details about the redesigned iX3, ahead of its debut at the Munich Motor Show this fall. Set to become the first Neue Klasse vehicle, the crossover promises to be a major leap forward.
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That isn’t just hype as BMW confirmed the model will use new cylindrical battery cells that have a 20% higher energy density than the prismatic cells being used today. Thanks to this change, the iX3 50 xDrive is slated to have an EPA range of up to 400 miles (800 km WLTP / 900 km CLTC).
More: BMW’s Baby M SUV Might Be Lurking Under This iX3
That’s a truly impressive number, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg as the model also has a 400 kW DC fast charging capability. This will enable the crossover to get more than 217 miles (350 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes.
Faster and Smarter Charging
Speaking of charging, the iX3 has an “intelligent charging flap” that automatically opens thanks to the use of artificial intelligence. As the automaker explained, when the driver approaches a familiar or learned charging point, the flap automatically opens when it arrives to make the recharging process a little faster and convenient.
Customers will also find bidirectional charging capabilities including Vehicle-to-Load, Vehicle-to-Home, and Vehicle-to-Grid. The latter functions are enabled by a new 19.2 kW Wallbox and they enable the crossover to act as an emergency power source.
Panoramic iDrive And New Driver Assist Technology
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While most of the cabin is covered by cloth camouflage, the iX3 features a Panoramic iDrive system that consists of a pillar-to-pillar display as well as a large center-mounted screen running BMW Operating System X.
They’re joined by a funky, “shy-tech” steering wheel that has buttons that illuminate when various functions are available. They’re joined by slender air vents, door-mounted seat controls, and an optional 3D head-up display.
On the topic of technology, BMW confirmed the iX3 will have next-generation driver assistance systems that use AI. The crossover also has processing speeds that are 20 times faster than the previous system.
The automaker was hazy on specifics, but mentioned hands-free highway driving as well as an automatic lane change function. They’ll be joined by a new Motorway & City Assistant system, which “helps the driver in complex driving situations in urban areas.” It can reportedly handle tight corners and roundabouts as well as automatically brake for red lights, before resuming when they turn green.
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There’s even cooperative steering and braking, which will allow drivers to turn the steering wheel or apply brakes “just a little.” Doing so will adjust the response of the automated driving system without shutting it off.
We can also expect an advanced parking system that offers an “AI-based selection of parking assistance services, parking space recognition, maneuver planning, and an improved parking experience.”
Production of the iX3 will begin late this year and deliveries will, presumably, begin shortly thereafter.
