BMW iX3 electric SUV arriving 2021

BMW has finally unveiled its rival to the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-PACE, Mercedes EQC and Audi Q4 e-tron.

The new BMW iX3 electric SUV will launch in Australia in the second half of 2021 and is heavily based on the current BMW X3. The pure-electric iX3 will become the car-maker's new flagship EV, coming equipped with its fifth-generation eDrive powertrain.

Powered by an 80kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the plug-in BMW is driven by a single electric motor that alone manages to kick out a punchy 210kW and 400Nm of torque.

This, says BMW, is enough hustle to launch the rear-drive SUV to 100km/h in less than 6.8 seconds and onto a limited top speed of 180km/h.

The range, meanwhile, is a respectable 460km between top-ups.

Thanks to batteries that are compatible with 150kW DC fast-charging, 0-80 per cent charge takes just 34 minutes making for a rapid recharging.

If that's too long, a 10-minute charge at a typical fast-charger is said to add 100km of range.

At home, the iX3 relies on an 11kW charger using a wall box to recharge its battery pack.

Helping maximise the distance travelled on each charge, BMW's designers have made a few tweaks to the standard X3 vehicle.

That explains the more aerodynamic (and partially blocked off) front kidney grille, the smoother 19-inch alloy wheels that, alone, reduce the drag coefficient by around 5 per cent, which adds an estimated 10km to the driving range.

Beneath the skin, further aero work has seen a flat underbody employed to reduce drag further, all of which improves how far it can drive by reducing exertion on the chunky electric motor.

Inside the iX3 there's lots in common with the regular X3.

However there are few new touches, including blue accents here and there, BMW i logos and a model specific graphic for the instrument cluster.

The standard satnav has also been updated to display public charging points.

All iX3s get adaptive suspension and the choice of standard or more supportive sport seats.

New technology launched in the iX3 includes the aforementioned fifth-gen eDrive system which is claimed to be 30 per cent more energy dense than before. There's also an advanced heating and cooling system for the battery pack.

This last item saw BMW boffins create a separate auxiliary heater to gently warm the lithium-ion battery in freezing conditions, with the system working even when the mercury is showing -30 degrees centigrade.

Another liquid cooling system then ensures the electric motor and electronics don't feel left out, chilling (or heating) them at their optimum temperature.

The dedicated cooling system is said to increase efficiency and thought to boost the battery pack's durability in hot climates like Australia, too.

Set for production at a plant in Shenyang China later this year, the BMW iX3 is set to arrive Down Under in the second half of 2021.

Once launched, an even quicker dual-motor version is expected to arrive that could, potentially, feature a BMW M chassis tune and the car-maker's next-gen torque vectoring.