Perfect for those who want a BMW e-SUV locally, but can’t stomach the look of the iX.
While the big news lately with regards to BMW’s electrification plans over here is the imminent local arrival of its iX, the German automaker also has recently announced plans too to bring in the slightly more conservative (and conservatively-styled) iX3.
Official details on this upcoming all-electric SUV are however rather thin on the ground at present, to the point where its price or even local launch date has yet to be confirmed thus far. Judging from the pictures on BMW’s registration of interest site though, it is more than likely for the iX3 that is to be arriving in Malaysia be the facelifted version which was unveiled earlier this month.
Given that there is only one spec of this Chinese-made BMW SUV currently available worldwide too, it is therefore relatively to predict that the Malaysian-spec iX3 will be featuring a 210 kW rear-mounted motor fed by a 74 kWh battery pack, which is good for a century sprint of 7.4 seconds and 460 km WLTP-rated range.
Now moving onto its exterior meanwhile and just recapping the enhancements made during its recent revision, the facelifted iX3 follows on from its updated fuel-drinking sibling by netting a similar set of slimmer LED headlights up front and ‘pincer claw contour’ clusters round its rear. A larger (albeit blanked off) kidney grille also has since made its way onto this BMW e-SUV, which complements the newly standard M Sport package that adds a more aggressive front and rear bumpers, as well as the option of 20-inch alloy wheels.
As part of the M Sport package too, the iX3 also receives an M Sport steering wheel, sports seats and black headlining. Other interior revisions made throughout this update of this BMW eco-crossover meanwhile includes the fitment of a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display to match the fully digital instrument cluster of the same size, in addition to a new gear selector lever and some new switchgear on its revised centre console.
Delving deeper into the topic of trim also, the iX3 landing locally is likely to come in the same two flavours as currently offered in in Europe. The first of which being the standard ‘Inspiring’ variant that comes with adaptive dampers, a panoramic sunroof, and tri-zone climate control; while the (aptly-named) more premium ‘Impressive’ spec predictably adds more niceties like keyless entry, a head-up display and a Harman Kardon sound system.
Unlike buyers of the iX3 over in the old continent however, it is highly unlikely for Malaysians to be seeing this all-electric BMW SUV in showrooms by December of this year. As alluded to prior though, registrations of interests for this e-crossover are nevertheless currently open, with interested parties being able to do so via BMW’s official website that is linked here.
PRESS RELEASE: BMW Group Malaysia demonstrated its further commitment to shape the future of mobility in Malaysia, hinting at the arrival of new-generation fully Electric BMW i innovations to the country – bringing to life sophisticated electric drivetrains, innovative sustainable materials, and technologies of tomorrow, today.
The details of the First-Ever iX xDrive40, the First-Ever iX xDrive40 Sport, and the First-Ever iX xDrive50 Sport were revealed alongside the anticipated First-Ever iX3 and the First-Ever i4 eDrive40. The reveal of the upcoming electric vehicle portfolio also sets to underline the premium automaker’s Sustainable Mobility Strategy in the country moving forward.
Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “This is a milestone for the BMW Group, even more so for us at BMW Group Malaysia. We have been in the driver’s seat in accelerating innovation, awareness on new and sustainable technology for the automotive industry, shaping the infrastructure for premium electrified vehicles in Malaysia since 2015. Our success in Malaysia today is cemented by our position as the leader in electrified mobility here, which is underlined by an impressive delivery of over 2,200 units of electrified vehicles last year alone.”
De Visser added that the incoming fleet of electric vehicles from BMW i will present all the best possibilities of Sheer Electric Driving Pleasure to loyal BMW customers and EV enthusiasts alike in Malaysia, with no compromise. More importantly, it will also drive the All-New Sustainability Strategy for the BMW Group in Malaysia.
The First-Ever BMW iX3.
The all-electric BMW Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) combines the best of two worlds: the driving dynamics and premium quality of the world’s best-selling premium midsized SAV, the X3 with the increased performance and efficiency of the fifth generation BMW eDrive technology, making the BMW iX3 the most anticipated vehicle in its segment.
Pre-booking and registration of interest open for the next-generation BMW i fleet.
The First-Ever iX xDrive40 and First-Ever iX xDrive40 Sport are now available for pre-booking on the BMW Shop Online platform via https://shop.bmw.com.my/ at a fee of RM 5,000. Registration of interest for the First-Ever BMW iX xDrive50, the BMW iX3 and the BMW i4 eDrive40 are also open on the official BMW website via the respective hyperlinks.
Owners of electric vehicles from the BMW i portfolio can also enjoy battery warranty of up to 8 years or 160,000km, whichever comes first. Additionally, the first 50 customers to pre-book the First-Ever iX xDrive40 and First-Ever iX xDrive40 Sport will receive an exclusive pre-booking advantage, consisting of a Complimentary Charging Installation and a Complimentary 1-year Public Charging Access. This advantage will be available until 22nd September 2021, terms and conditions apply.
As the arrival of the next-generation BMW i fleet welcomes a new era of electromobility in Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia also has their eyes set on rapidly expanding the BMW i dealer network to key cities across the country. DC Fast Chargers will also be installed at all BMW i dealers for public use to further accelerate the availability of charging infrastructures in Malaysia, along with Rapid-charging DC Chargers to be made available for quick on-the-go charging at selected dealerships nationwide.
“We look forward to reigniting local interest and uptake for electromobility, in foresight of the much-discussed upcoming Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint. We have partnered with GreenTech Malaysia from the very beginning to grow the local charging infrastructure network as part of our key strategies to shift Malaysia towards a low carbon mobility future. Moving forward, we aim to give Malaysians the confidence to choose electric for their next – or even first, drive. In fact, there are more plans set to activate in the upcoming months that will encourage a positive reception of this future-focused way of mobility, of which we hope will also be strengthened by the upcoming revision of government policies towards electromobility,” de Visser added.
