Two years after the launch of the electric iX3, BMW has recently unveiled an updated version for 2022. The fresh new facelift features an upgraded design for the headlights, grille and interior.
It is worth noting that since this upgrade has come so soon after the iX3’s launch, there have been no modifications underneath the hood and it comes with the same one-charge range as before. The electric crossover soldiers on with a single motor mounted at the rear axle, good for 282 bhp (210 kilowatts) and 295 pound-feet (400 Newton-metres) of torque. The RWD-only iX3 needs 6.8 seconds to get from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) and tops out at an electronically governed 112 mph (180 km/h).
The updated iX3 electric SUV has been released in full for the UK market. So, how has the recently introduced electric SUV changed? Let’s find out…
Let’s take a closer look…
The most obvious change to the exterior would be the grille. BMW’s designers have decided to inflate the kidney grilles, featuring a single-piece frame, without going overboard as seen in some of the other recent products from the luxury car brand. A nice little touch from the designers is the mesh-style pattern that makes up the grille, and there’s a subtle little BMW i badge too. If we spin the SUV around then a subtle yet admired change is the bumper with a more rugged and larger lower grille and L-shaped side air intake grilles.
Some slightly softer changes to the electric SUV are in the headlights. The adaptive LED headlights are now approximately 10 millimetres (or 0.4 inches if you prefer) slimmer and even feature auto high-beam and optional laser tech. The impressive laser light option increases the high-beam range to a whopping 650 meters.
A popular touch from the BMW design team is the changes to the body which is now painted in the Pearl-effect Chrome with a few blue accents on the outer edges. The slats are now in line with other BMW models and feature a mesh pattern. With significantly sharper contouring, sleek headlight upgrades and detailed grille, it’s not hard to see why the 2022 iX3 will be even more appealing than the old model.
The facelift doesn’t stop on the exterior though. Inside the 2022 BMW iX3 has an upgraded BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the 10.25-inch screen. This new screen runs on the same Operating System 7 as before, allowing over-the-air software updates and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The impressive tech doesn’t stop there! The 2022 BMW iX3’s BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (voice assistant) accepts voice commands for new functions, some of which includes regulating the air conditioning and even opening and closing windows. To top it off, the iX3 features BMW Maps with Connected Parking, helping drivers search for an unoccupied parking space near their destination.
Enough tech talk, let’s dive into the aesthetic. As standard, you will find features such as:
– M Sport Package (including high-gloss Shadow Line roof rails and window trim strips)
– Panoramic glass sunroof
– Ambient interior lighting
– Keyless entry (including BMW Digital Key)
– Anthracite-coloured headliner and interior trim in the Aluminum Rhombicle dark finish. (Three additional trims are available)
– Reclining second-row seats
– And much more
Sports seats are also now standard and in terms of premium materials, you can order the BMW iX3 with Vernasca leather in Mocha, Oyster or Black with blue stitching. Not to worry if you prefer sustainability as Sensatec upholstery in Black or Cognac is available as a standard option too.
Can BMW catch up in the Electric Vehicle Race?
While the race to be at the top of the EV league is a long one, BMW seems to be falling behind. Executives have announced that iX manifests a commitment to electric propulsion and that their dedicated research centre in Munich is continuously focused on developing its own battery technology.
“We expect to see a steep growth curve towards 2025: sales of our electrified vehicles should increase by an average of 30 per cent every year” (source: https://www.ft.com/content/79199870-96bf-11e9-8cfb-30c211dcd229)
BMW exemplifies the difficult calculations that established carmakers must make as the industry shifts to electric power. The transition is an immensely costly one for the brands so ensuring that they get it right is crucial for the future of sustainable driving. BMW is engineering a collection of specialized components that will underpin a family of electric vehicles beginning in 2025, which in their view is when the market will take off.
This ramp-up couldn’t come sooner as BMW is battling to keep its existing business on track.
If you are wanting to drive off in a sleek BMW iX3 then browse through our range of personal lease deals or contact us today.