- The first of BMW’s ‘new class’ of vehicles is the new ix3
- The largest battery models will offer a 500 -mile electric range
- Interior begins a new IDRive -Infotainment -System
BMW has taken the wrapping of the first of its new ‘neue class’ vehicles-a self-conscious resetting the design language and the approach to the design of electric vehicle from the German fire.
First teased in the smooth and shaped BMW vision Neue Class Saloon two years ago, and then again with the X-Badged Sports Activity Vehicle last year, the new lines turn away from the divisive giant front grids and Chintzy Chrome against a simpler, more coherent future look.
We are told that the bold new approach will include on more than 40 new models in the next two years, which is a staggering power play from a brand that, like so many established Premium players, feels the warmth of several more affordable Chinese rivals.
The German mark also sets its stools when it comes to the performance of its electric driveline, with the row of topping IX3 50 XDRIVE, which offers up to 500 miles on the WLTP cycle from a 108.7 kWh battery pack.
Ultra-rapid charge of up to 400 kW is possible thanks to the now ubiquitous 800V electrical architecture, which will see 231 miles of range added in just 10 minutes.
BMW has also started from scratch with the electrical architecture that will support the next generation of EVs. Four ‘Superbrain’ high performance computers will oversee driving dynamics, automated driving, infotainment and basic comfort features.
The so -called ‘Heart of Joy’ control unit will look after the vehicle dynamics and is said to be 10 times faster than conventional rivals.
There are also impressive things inside the cockpit with a brand new iteration of BMW’s panoramic Idrive infotainment system, which now consists of a trapezoidal central touch screen, haptic buttons on the shipping wheels and Pièce de Résistance in the form of a huge black strip that runs the width of the windscreen.
This will contain six individual data areas that can be adapted to offer all kinds of running information, navigation instruction and multimedia. We will have to wait and see what it is like to interact with (especially the haptic steering wheel buttons), but it certainly looks impressive in the meat.
Analysis: Big Range, Big Tech, Ball Looks
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While there are some styling elements that return to the undeniably beautiful original “new class” cars in the 1960s, the exterior of the first modern interpretation is likely to share the opinion.
The press images make a lot of heavy lifting that shows the side frame with smart use of reflections and makes the attitude look more aggressive with lighting tricks, but I was a little disappointed to see it in the meat.
It is still not a conventionally beautiful car, and although it controls the huge chrome chrome grille of recent BMW models, it still depends on illuminated elements that have become more and more popular on models coming from China.
But BMW says prices will start at £ 58,755 for 50 XDRIVE in the UK, with prices expected to start at less than $ 60,000 in the US (around AU $ 91.00), which is less than both the current ICE X3 and the outward IX3 EV, despite being spacious, more powerful and offering a huge range.
After all, beauty is considering the viewer, but BMW seems to secure everything else in the Neue Class package crosses all the right boxes.
I’m just happy to hold out to the salong version that promises to look infinitely better.
