Impressive Journey of the Electric Crossover
BMW demonstrated the impressive endurance of its new iX3 electric crossover in real-world conditions. The second generation of this model, which debuted several months ago with a claimed WLTP range of 497 miles, even exceeded the manufacturer’s expectations.
Key Test Details
Experiment Conditions
The BMW engineering team decided to test the real capabilities of the electric vehicle on a long journey. They started from the factory in Debrecen, Hungary, where this model is produced, and headed to the company’s headquarters in Munich, Germany.
As company representatives note:
We wanted to test what our new electric vehicle is truly capable of in real-world operating conditions
Secret of Success
To achieve the maximum range, the team used several important strategies. They avoided highways, preferring smaller roads with lower speeds where the regenerative braking system works most efficiently.
The tested iX3 50 xDrive – the only version announced so far – is equipped with two electric motors producing 463 hp with a torque of 476 lb-ft, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The large 108.7 kWh battery was a key factor in achieving this result.
This experiment demonstrates that modern electric vehicles can offer practical travel range sufficient for most real-world usage scenarios. Although the test conditions were specifically optimized for maximum efficiency, the results are still impressive and show significant progress in the development of electric vehicles. It’s important to consider that in everyday operational practice, the figures will be somewhat lower due to the use of climate control, audio systems, and highway driving.