Make us your preferred source on GoogleBavarian brand’s new electric mid-size SUV to gain wild M variantThe News
A more potent version of BMW’s electric iX3 SUV has been all but confirmed for Australia, with local executives hinting at the possibility of an M or M Performance variant being in development.
The Key Details
Hotter BMW iX3 M all but confirmed for Oz
Current flagship 50 xDrive described as “mid-tier”
Could utilise wild quad-motor powertrain
The Finer Details
Speaking to media at the launch of its new iX3 Neue Klasse, BMW Australia’s product boss Brendan Michel described the (current) range-topping 50 xDrive as a mid-spec variant.
“345kW combined power output is really amazing for what we’d say is our mid-tier model in the whole portfolio,” he said.
Arriving as the flagship model from $109,900 in its initial rollout, the 50 xDrive is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, good for 345kW/645Nm and a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 4.9 seconds.
BMW iX3 50 XDrive M
BMW iX3 50 XDrive M Sport
BMW iX3 50 XDrive M Sport
It’ll be joined later this year by an entry-level 235kW single-motor 40 variant, which will slot in at $89,900 plus on-road costs.
Details of the top-tier variant are few and far between right now, but when quizzed further, Michel said: “yeah I gave you a little hint [during the presentation]. Very good [pickup], that.
“This is the tip of the iceberg and the iceberg is very big.”
The Road Ahead
The iX3 M or M Performance would obviously need to topple the 50 xDrive’s outputs – and in turn, shave that 0-100km/h sprint time down into the three-second range.
There’s no word on when Aussies can expect the hotter – likely M-branded – iX3 to arrive, however, it’ll likely follow the new i3 sedan, which BMW Australia execs confirmed will land in early 2027.
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