At the end of this year a completely new age was due at BMW. BMW boss Oliver Zipse no longer promised in March when submitting the balance for the past financial year 2024. In concrete terms, he means the market launch of the first car model from the ranks of the “new class”, a purely electrical generation that does much, if not everything has been different than before. The name has a historical reference. At the beginning of the 1960s, the “new class” saved the BMW when the car manufacturer was in great difficulty. The first “new class vehicle” a good 60 years later is an SUV that will replace the IX3, and we had the opportunity to extend in the BMW test site in Miramas at Marseille. Experienced was quite impressive. In all matters. The new IX3 is very busy in the old BMW slogan “Joy in driving”. Two electric motors were used in the prototypes, one on each axis. BMW is still very economical with exact data, but there is talk of more than 300 kW (408 hp) and more than 600 Newton meters of maximum torque. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h should be done in less than five seconds. Perhaps the most important thing: the range should be 700 to 800 kilometers to WLTP, with a very moderate consumption of only 15 kWh per 100 kilometers. This suggests that the largest battery should offer around 120 kWh. Large cinema is the “Panoramic Vision” new “dashboard”. Manufacturer’s new battery is one of the core elements of the new class, it is a completely new high-voltage battery with 800-volt architecture. BMW has developed cylindrical battery cells that offer up to 20 percent higher energy density. Around 350 kilometers of range should be reloaded at a direct current charging station with up to 400 kW in ten minutes. We were also able to convince ourselves of this in Miramas, but you can assume that the new IX3 will not only be available with all -wheel drive, but also only with rear -wheel drive, which presses the prices and increases the range. It is well decided that a second, smaller battery will be available. BMW will be revealed more details at the latest at the IAA in Munich if he celebrates its world premiere. Series -related subject Miramas were only available to all -wheel drive vehicles. For example, our standard -close test showed a range of almost 700 kilometers with a charging level of 95 percent. On a good one -hour tour on public roads, we noted a considerably low consumption of 16.6 kWh at 100 kilometers. The “Panoramic Vision” is a new “dashboard”. There is no longer one right behind the steering wheel, all relevant information is reflected at the bottom of the windscreen. This is very functional and makes a head-up display superfluous, as you hardly have to take your eyes off the street to see how quickly you drive. Of course, the display can be adjusted individually. Probably more than 300 kW (408 hp) and more than 600 Newton meters of maximum torque manufacturers The first glance you believe that the game seen is on a flat, extremely wide screen, but that’s not the case. The lower edge of the windshield is the projection surface. Everyone in the car can see the display. A head-up display that only the driver sees will be available for an additional charge. It can hardly be said about the interior, since it was also camouflaged. “Switched” is with a small tipping switch. There is no paddle on the steering wheel with which recuperation can be influenced. However, there are very well available steps to one-pedal driving, which can be selected via the on-board monitor with a diagonal of 17.9 inches. He sits in the middle of the driver with a striking design and courage to slide. The mechanical brakes are rarely needed, usually the recuperation is always delayed when the foot is on the brake, i.e. with the e-motors. The IT and software architecture of the new class is a kind of revolution. There is a new software organization that bundles functions via four central high-performance calculators, internally called “Super Brains”. One computer controls drive train, driver assistance, infotainment and other vehicle functions. This domain architecture increases the computing power of the vehicles by a factor of 20 compared to today’s systems. There is enough performance for advanced assistance systems (ADAS), networked driving and future AI functions. Almost all of the software has developed BMW itself, it was said. What is the autonomous driving, the IX3 is (still) on the level of level 2 ++, so you can take your hands off the steering wheel, but you have to remain careful, otherwise the systems switch off. The automatic parking is to be simplified with a new button on the steering wheel. The procedure can be started with it when the systems have recognized a parking space. That works well. From the format, the SUV will be like the previous IX3, which is 4.73 meters long. Here, too, BMW is still covered with data. The new should be a little bigger. The camouflage hides a lot from the new design language that BMW wants to maintain, but quite as revolutionary as the limousine of the new class, which comes onto the market in the course of 2026, is not the SUV. The IX3 is more of a topic in a new plant in Debrecen in Hungary, the electric motors are produced in Steyr, the cells are produced in Germany and Hungary, the technology is of course from China. Catl and Eve are the suppliers. BMW has two and a half exciting years ahead of them. Including facelifts, more than a dozen new models have been announced by the end of 2027. You can be excited.
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