BMW Singapore’s new iX3 is the Bravarian automaker’s first full Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) available in Singapore (both the i3 and i8 were only available as petrol-electric hybrids) and I was quite fortunate to have a test drive that coincided with my annual cycling charity event, which took place over a weekend to try out the range of this EV.
If you aren’t familiar with BMW rides, the X3 is the brand’s mid-size crossover SUV and the 2021 iX3 is the first variant of the X3 that is a full EV. It has actually taken BMW over five years to follow up on the i3 and that’s partly because the i3 (and the discontinued i8) were low-volume production models that required exotic materials, like carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), while with the iX3, BMW have utilised the same modular CLAR platform used with the X3, though with a new fifth-generation electric drivetrain, with a single rear-drive 210kw (280hp) electric motor and an 80kWh battery pack in the floor.
BMW’s EV philosophy is to produce EV variants of existing models that are almost identical to their petrol/diesel counterparts, which is why the 2021 Mini Electric I test drove in NXT December 2021 performed identically to its counterpart, the Mini Cooper S.
For the iX3, it is almost identical to a standard X3 in fit and features, apart from its BEV powertrain and some ‘blue’ touches, including the replacement of the front grille with a blue-ringed cover and blue rear diffusers.
This is actually a good thing, as you enjoy the standard premium X3 features, fit and furnishing, including an excellent BMW iDrive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display that has voice activation, which works reasonably well, but once when we were trying out the navigation system it actually turned on the seat warmers! There’s full smartphone connectivity, USB ports, a Qi wireless charger as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the M Sport trim, which is standard in Singapore, gives you an upgraded sound system, so you can hear the Hans Zimmer-created sound effects as you accelerate – the same sort of woosh you’d get from a science fiction starship.
With the inclusion of the battery pack, some internal component rearranging was necessary to accommodate the rear mounted electric motor, which in turn has led to a smaller boot – 510 litres compared to 550 litres in the X3, while the three-way split rear seats will just accommodate three adults.
As I mentioned at the start of this article, I spent a weekend in the iX3, driving over 460km as a support car for my cycling charity event, though most of that was at a slow speed of 30kmh as I was driving the rear safety/medical ‘sweeper’ vehicle as the cyclists rode 200km each day. When I picked up the iX3 I was given about 350km of charge, so on Saturday night I decided to try out the iX3’s fast charge capabilities and located a GreenLots 100kW charger, which took 40 minutes and $20 for a 40kW charge, which is about half the price of 40 litres of petrol.
Overall, the iX3 is a very comfortable SUV to spend a weekend in, with good ergonomics for long drives and excellent BMW performance and handling and the ability to sprint 0-100kmh in 6.8 seconds. With 460km range, if you are a normal Singapore driver that should last you a week between charges, but the iX3 actually has the range to just make it to KL on one charge, and you can then recharge in BMW Malaysia’s ChargeNow station at Bangsar Shopping Centre.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Electric motor: 210kW
- Drivetrain: rear drive
- Power: 210kW (286hp)
- Torque: 400Nm
- Acceleration: (0-100kmh) 6.8 seconds
- Top Speed: 1580 kmh
- Battery: 80kWh
- Range: Up to 460km
We say:
BMW’s premium iX3 brings the BEV SUV into the mainstream with excellent performance, range and price point.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
S$281,888 (with COE at time of publishing)
www.bmw.com.sg
