BMW promises 600km-plus EV range
Bavarian brand details fifth-generation EV powertrain for iX3, i4 and iNEXTBMW i says its new fifth-generation 'eDrive' electric vehicle powertrain will deliver a real-world WLPT EV driving range of more than 600km in the all-new BMW i4 sedan.
Intensifying its EV push, the German luxury brand today revealed more details of the BMW iX3 electric SUV it will release next year and the BMW i4 and BMW iNEXT due in 2021.
Demonstrating their durability in hostile conditions, all three ground-breaking EV models are pictured here in official images undergoing cold weather testing on a frozen lake at the edge of the Arctic Circle.
As you can see from separate shots snapped by our spy photographers, the BMW iX3 will – at least visually – be a lightly modified version of the existing BMW X3 mid-size SUV, while official shots show the yet-to-be-named iNEXT will be a smaller crossover and the BMW i4 will be a mid-size sedan.
The all-electric BMW i4 will give the Tesla Model 3 something to think about not only in terms of its battery density and cruising range, but also its performance.
BMW reckons the battery-powered mid-size sedan – to be built at the BMW Munich plant -- will blast to 100km/h in just four seconds and on to a top speed of more than 200km/h.
Meanwhile, the BMW iNEXT crossover is also claimed to deliver a WLTP range "exceeding 600km", says the Bavarian car-maker.
To be produced at the BMW Dingolfing plant in Germany, the zero-emissions iNEXT is expected to rival the Jaguar I-PACE and the upcoming Audi e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQC and Tesla Model Y crossovers.
The third vehicle seen testing here is the BMW iX3, which will come with a WLTP range of more than 400km, thanks to the debut of the fifth-gen EV powertrain comprising a 70kWh battery pack and a 200kW electric motor.
The BMW iX3 will be the first global model built exclusively in China as part of a joint-venture with BMW Brilliance Automotive in Shenyang.
All three new BMW i models put through the wringer at BMW's winter test centre in Arjeplog, Sweden are due to go on sale in the next two years, starting with the iX3 in 2020 – although BMW Australia is yet to publicly commit to releasing any of them.
The long-range BMW i4 and iNEXT are scheduled for production a year later in 2021. BMW has previously said its objective is to deploy 12 EVs by 2025.
BMW's EV assault, which began in 2013 with the quirky i3 hatchback offering a 160km range, will also focus on shorter charging times. The BMW iX3 will be able to handle 150kW DC fast-charging, and the i4 and iNEXT may offer even higher – and therefore faster – charge rates.
As well as advanced battery and powertrain technology, the new BMW i vehicles will deliver semi-autonomous driving aids, with the BMW iNEXT set to take the mantle of the brand's tech leader via Level 3 autonomous driving capability.
Level 3 autonomy means no feet, no hands, and no eyes are required – although that will only be possible where legislation allows it in certain scenarios such as well-marked highways.
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