The iX3 will be the first of many full electric crossovers from BMW in coming years. The German automaker has trademarked every nameplate from iX1 through to iX9, so it’s likely BMW will one day have a compact electric crossover, a three-row electric SUV and other products to cover off every crossover/SUV segment in between.
The iX3 will share a platform with the new, internal combustion engine-powered X3. It will feature a large battery pack mounted in the floor of the vehicle, which can be seen protruding from beneath the prototype in the gallery above. It should provide around 200 miles of range on a single charge, sending power to single electric motors mounted at each axle. The test vehicle shown here also has a charge port just behind the driver’s side front wheel and ‘Electric Test Vehicle’ stickers on its hatch and passenger side door.
We hear the BMW iX3 is expected to arrive sometime in 2020 as a 2021 model year vehicle. It will be the second vehicle to arrive as part of the BMW’s electric vehicle product plan, which will see it introduce 12 electric cars between 2019 and 2025. The first of these products to arrive will be the Mini electric, which is due next year.
When it does go on sale, the BMW iX3 will compete with other upcoming premium electric crossovers such as the Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes-Benz EQC.
