- BMW has quietly introduced the entry-level iX3 40.
- It features a smaller battery and rear-mounted motor.
- Crossover has 316 hp and a WLTP range of 395 miles.
When BMW introduced the iX3 last fall, it was launched with a 108.7 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. The company promised further variants would follow including an entry-level model.
The automaker is now delivering on that by introducing the iX3 40. The crossover features a smaller 82.6 kWh battery as well as a rear-mounted motor developing 316 hp (235 kW / 320 PS) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. This enables the entry-level EV to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).
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Buyers can expect a WLTP range of up to 395 miles (636 km), which falls well below the iX3 50’s rating of up to 500 miles (805 km). On the bright side, a 300 kW DC fast charger can provide up to 186 miles (299 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes. The model also has a bidirectional charging capability and can go from a 10-80% charge in as few as 21 minutes.
The iX3 40 will arrive in the United Kingdom this summer, where pricing starts at £53,250 (approximately $70,450 at current exchange rates). That’s £5,505 (around $7,280) less than the iX3 50, which represents a considerable savings.
The automaker was coy on equipment details, but said “as with its exterior and interior design, standard specification for the new iX3 40 is identical to that of the iX3 50 xDrive.” However, that might not be the same for all markets and we wouldn’t be surprised if some regions got smaller wheels or other minor changes.
