- The first of the ‘new class’ of BMW vehicles is the new IX3
- Larger battery models will offer a 500 mile electrical range
- The interior begins in a new IDRive information and entertainment system
BMW has eliminated the first of its new ‘Neue Klasse’ vehicles, a confessive restoration of design language and the approach to the design of electric vehicles of the German brand.
First he mocked in the soft and well -formed BMW Vision Neue Klasse Saloon two years ago, and then again with the sporting activity with X tape last year, the new lines move away from the giant divisive front grins and Chintzy’s chrome towards a simpler and more cohesive future appearance.
We are told that the new bold approach will feature more than 40 new models in the next two years, which is an amazing power game of a brand that, like so many established premium players, feels the heat of numerous more affordable Chinese rivals.
The German brand is also establishing its stool when it comes to the performance of its electric motor train, with the range IX3 50 XDrive that offers up to 500 miles in the WLTP cycle from a 108.7kWh battery pack.
The ultra fast load of up to 400kw is possible thanks to the now omnipresent 800V electric architecture, which will see 23 miles of added reach in just 10 minutes.
BMW has also started from scratch with the electricity architecture that will support the next generation of EV. Four high -performance ‘Superbrain’ computers will supervise driving dynamics, automated driving, infotainment and basic comfort functions.
The so -called “heart of joy” unit will deal with vehicle dynamics and it is said to be 10 times faster than conventional rivals.
There are also impressive things inside the cabin, with a new iteration of the Panoramic Panoramic Panoramic Panoramic System of BMW, which now consists of a trapezoidal central touch screen, the haptic buttons on the steering wheels and the pièce de-résensence in the form of a large black strip that runs the width of the edge ships.
This will house six individual data areas that can be customized to offer all types of driving information, navigation and multimedia instruction. We will have to wait and see what it is like to interact (especially those buttons of the haptic steering wheel), but it certainly looks impressive in the flesh.
Analysis: Big Range, Big Tech, Bold looks
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While there are some style elements that date back to the originally beautiful original cars of the “new class” of the 1960s, the exterior of the first modern interpretation will probably divide the opinion.
Press images do a lot of heavy work, showing the side folds with the intelligent use of the reflexes and making the posture more aggressive with the lighting tricks, but I was a bit disappointed to see it in the meat.
It is not yet a conventionally beautiful car and, although it moves away from the huge chromed kidney rack of recent BMW models, it is still based on enlightened elements that have become increasingly popular in models from China.
But BMW says that prices will begin at £ 58,755 for the 50 XDrive in the United Kingdom, and prices are expected to be in less than $ 60,000 in the United States (around AU $ 91.00), which is less than the current ICE X3 and the Outgoing IX3, despite being more spacious, more powerful and offering a widely greater range.
Beauty is in the viewer’s eye, after all, but BMW seems to be securing everything else in the Neue Klasse package all the right boxes marks.
I am happy to endure the living room version, which promises to be infinitely better.
