BMW iX3: First impression

After introducing the all-new iX, BMW Malaysia now launched the second electric car in the country this year, the iX3. The new Sports Activity Vehicle is based on the X3 and is considered as the affordable alternative to the larger iX. It is on offer in two variants - Inspiring and Impressive, both are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and M Sport package as standard. 

Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The arrival of the First-Ever BMW iX3 is made especially significant with these distinct variants that provide our loyal customers and fans of electric mobility in Malaysia the Power of Choice – without compromising on power, performance or safety. Alongside our upcoming fleet of new BMW i vehicles, the First-Ever BMW iX3 is set to spur a new generation of Electric Vehicle (EV) owners in Malaysia, as the all-electric SAV presents a wealth of possibilities with its all-rounded qualities in innovation and design language to make the Electric Premium Ownership Experience even more enjoyable.”

Let’s know more about this luxury EV, starting with its price.

BMW iX3 price in Malaysia

Variants	Price (on-the-road without insurance, with two-year, unlimited-mileage standard warranty)	Price (on-the-road without insurance, with five-year warranty and service package
BMW iX3 M Sport Inspiring	RM 317,360	RM 330,800
BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive	RM 336,360	RM 349,800

The above-mentioned prices include sales and service tax as the German automaker will start the iX3 deliveries next year. It also offers a Power Package worth RM 5000 for the EV, which comprises a 22-kW BMW i Wallbox and a BMW i Standard Charging Cable. Also, the customers will get an 8-Year, 160,000 km battery warranty.

BMW iX3 performance, range, and battery charging time

Both variants of the BMW iX3 take energy from the same electric drive unit i.e. single electric motor mounted on the rear axle. It delivers a maximum output of 286 hp and a peak torque of 400 Nm. The setup enables the SAV to run from zero to 100 kmph in 6.8 seconds and to hit a top speed of 180 kmph.

The electric drive unit is paired with an 80-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers a maximum range of 461 km (on the WLTP test cycle) on a single charge.

If we talk about the BMW iX3 charging time, it takes only 32 minutes to charge from zero to 80% when using a 150-kW DC fast charger. However, with the 11-kW AC wall-box, it takes around 7.5 hours for 100% charging.

BMW iX3 Exterior 

The premium SUV portrays a striking appearance with an impressive front-end design. It features a closed kidney grille, trapezoidal LED headlights, and L-shaped air-inlets in BMW i Blue that underlines the electric nature of the vehicle. Decked up with the M Sport package, the car comes with M Sport front and rear bumpers, M high-gloss Shadowline, and M Aerodynamics package. Also part of the kit is body-coloured cladding, three-dimensional tail lights, a large rear diffuser, and a panorama glass roof.

The Inspiring comes with a set of 19-inch alloy wheels and standard adaptive LED headlights while the Impressive gets the 20-inch M aerodynamic wheels and BMW Laserlight headlights.

The wide range of the BMW iX3 colour options include M Carbon Black Metallic, Phytonic Blue, Mineral White, Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect, Piemont Red, and Cashmere Silver

BMW iX3 Interior

Inside, the BMW iX3 has a bucketload of hi-tech features, including active navigation, personal voice assistant, connected charging, and digital key. As you enter the car, an angular dashboard housing BMW Live Cockpit Professional welcomes you. The cockpit comprises a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch centre infotainment display. It is mated with a multifunctional M Leather steering wheel that has an M badge and three spokes. 

Other significant inclusions are:

• Head-up display (with top-spec)
• Sport seats wrapped in Vernasca leather 
• M headliner in anthracite
• Brushed aluminium interior trims
• Qi wireless charging pad
• 12-speaker, 205-watt sound systems (464W 16-speaker Harman Kardon with the top-spec)
• Hands-free powered tailgate
• 360-degree surround view monitor (with top-spec)
• IconicSounds Electric synthetic driving sounds (with top-spec)

BMW iX3 Safety 

When it comes to safety, BMW’s new electric car gets an advanced Driving Assistant Professional package, irrespective of the variant. It covers automatic speed limit assist, evasion assistant, steering and lane control assistant, and emergency stop assistant. Also part of the safety kit is active cruise control with stop&go functionality, acoustic protection for pedestrians, parking assistant with reversing assistance and active park distance control, rearview camera, and dynamic stability control.

In the end, we just say the all-new BMW iX3 has a strong first impression. If you also find this impressive, go and check out the EV in person at selected BMW dealerships nationwide, which are Auto Bavaria, Seong Hoe Premium Motors, Quill Automobiles, Lee Motors, Ingress Auto, Wheelcorp Premium, Millennium Welt, Tian Siang Premium Auto, and Regas Premium Group.

Also read: BMW X3: Same price, other options