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Road test: BMW iX3
The electric version of the BMW X3 adds a small i to its name, but makes a very big change, even if you do not see it on it.
It is good?
it's bad?
And why it is terribly simple and complicated
Tags
BMW
X3
electric car
electric car
Delek Motors
Crossover
Keenan Cohen
Monday, 12 July 2021, 16:44 Updated: 16:58
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Spreading wings to the electric world (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
Technically, the BMW iX3 is not BMW's first electric, in practice it is.
Because even though it was preceded by the strange i3, this is a mainstream model from the manufacturer, a forerunner of meat and an integral part of its profit balance.
You said BMW in the last 20 years - you said its X series.
And after paving its supply with plug-in versions, it is switching to electricity and is also the pioneer chosen to lead the conversion revolution.
Now it is, soon the i4 and so the process will continue and expand later.
And it marks another change, being the first BMW to be manufactured and exported from China to the whole world.
More on Walla!
10 things you need to know about the new BMW 4 Series and iX3
To the full article
Too similar to the regular gasoline model (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
Unlike the Jaguar which chose to place a completely different vehicle like the iPace, and not exactly like the Audi and Mercedes that put up similar but different models with the e tron and EQC respectively, BMW literally went out of its way not to go out of its way.
At a glance it looks just like any other X3, at a second glance the opaque grille, the unique rims, and the lack of exhaust ports as well as the small captions will already stand out.
On the other hand, the cabin also retains the identity of the regular version.
Except for a larger digital dashboard - the overall look is pretty much the same, except for the flicker of a bluish color here and there that characterizes the electric and electrified models.
Rims and i-symbols of the electric versions of BMW (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
And that's very good, because it means excellent quality of materials and assembly, quite a lot of equipment like leather seats with electric direction, heating and cooling, projection of driving data on the windshield, panoramic sunroof, Herman Cardon audio system, 360 degree cameras and more.
No real compromises even in the back, where there is space, air conditioning control and USB ports.
This means excellent and easy-to-operate human engineering, comfortable seats and excellent observation outside.
And there is even a very large trunk, with 510 liters even after 40 liters were sacrificed in favor of the engine position in the rear.
Very rich equipment, advanced safety systems in full show (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
Flowing our way
Yes, you read that right, one engine and behind and there is also the propulsion (I think a combination that BMW only offered in the 700s of the early 60s).
Its power is 286 hp and 40.8 kg, which amounts to acceleration to 100 km / h in 6.8 seconds, slower than the numbers presented by Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC, which have both engines and dual propulsion. In practice there is no sense of signal This is the fifth generation of BMW's electric propulsion systems, and the first time the "packaging" of the engine, gearbox and high voltage unit has been compressed into one very efficient and economical unit in place ( Hence also the very modest sacrifice of trunk volume).
There is no damage to the space at the rear, there is separate control over the merger (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
Its 80 kWh batteries support a fast charge of up to 150 kilowatts, so a fast charge will bring it from an empty battery to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. In the test, it charged the batteries from 46 percent to 99 percent at a 100 kilowatt position within 45 Minutes. These added 150km to the range, not bad for a chickpea break and coffee on a trip north, or entering a round at the supermarket on a daily basis.
We finished the test drive with an average consumption of 20 kWh per 100 km and at least according to our attempts and calculations, its real driving range will easily stand at 350 km, with a little consideration it will also climb to 370 km.
Either way the fantastic number of 454 km declared, we will leave within the limits of the technical specifications. Either way, it is more than the range achieved by its competitors in previous tests. A result of less weight and a power management system on its face more efficient.
Although the engine is at the rear, it is compactly packed leaving a large and useful trunk (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
The need to carry nearly 2.3 tons in front of passengers required great hardening of the shock absorber system.
In the absence of a patent for air springs, this means compromise.
And the convenience of urban driving in it does not rise, it only improves with the increase in pace and the roads that open.
Indeed, the noise isolation barrier, which is always a challenge in electric cars, probably with large rims like his - he succeeds excellently and keeps the cabin quiet and relaxed.
In terms of driving itself, it does everything you would expect from a vehicle in its price and status, pleasant, flowing.
For his great duty we will note a puzzling choice to plant the choice between the three regenerative braking modes in the menu thicker and not in a more accessible way.
The fourth automatic mode that controls the power according to the proximity to the car in front turned out to be unpleasant to use and requires a lot more polishing.
It takes a second look to identify that this is the electric version (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
When you want a little more from him from day-to-day conduct, however - BMW, find that his road behavior is quite lukewarm, probably in relation to the firm.
As long as you are moderate in weight transfers and changes of direction it is fine, but from a certain stage it does not cover or hide its weight.
With rapid changes of direction his exemplary grip is already less tight.
It is possible to sew a winding road at a peppery pace, but more than that?
Even compared to his brother with the petrol and plug-in engines, he is less concerned.
It's not that its competitors do it amazing, except for the Jaguar, but it's okay, both BMW, both we and its customers know what they are looking for in such a car.
350 km of electricity without straining in everyday conditions, much more than its competitors (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
Summary
As I wrote in the opening, the iX3 for BMW is perhaps the first mainstream electric model, not the ultimate destination.
Using a modified platform and a model that is too similar to the existing one the manufacturer saves a lot, but it may miss the customers who also want to show off the new electric toy they have, it will definitely stay for the next generation of their trams.
More on Walla!
BMW iX3 in Israel.
What do competitors have to fear?
To the full article
On the other hand, in the objective examination of things, in the real world, not that of the specification pumps, the preferred range over its competitors is "worth" much more than that second-and-a-half of acceleration.
It is significantly cheaper than them with a price tag of NIS 430,000 (starting from NIS 500,000 in Mercedes and 525 in Audi) and is NIS 15,000 more expensive than its plug-in version, a gap that depending on the nature of use will be offset very quickly by ongoing maintenance costs (fuel, treatments , License fee).
Bottom line, the BMW iX3 is not a brilliant BMW in what we are used to expecting in terms of enjoyment of driving this brand, but it is an excellent electric vehicle, with proper filling and above that of expectations from a luxury electric car.
Excellent as an electric, not as shiny as a BMW (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
On the technical side: BMW iX3
Engine, propulsion:
electric, rear
Engine:
single, three-phase
Battery (kWh):
80
Power (hp):
286
Torque (kg):
40.8
Gearbox:
Single gear
Dimensions:
Length (cm) :
473
Width (cm):
189
Height (cm):
167
Wheelbase (cm):
286
Trunk (liters):
510
Performance:
Acceleration 0-100:
6.8 seconds
Maximum speed
: 180 km / h
Competitors:
Jaguar i-PACE, Audi e-tron, Mercedes EQC
Price:
NIS 430,000
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