BMW launches first Neue Klasse EV in Australia at a price to undercut rivals

German luxury carmaker BMW has unveiled the Australian pricing for its all-electric iX3, the first model of its so-called Neue Klasse, which will be priced from $109,900, substantially undercutting its direct rivals.

BMW unveiled the specifications for the iX3 50 xDrive launch variant last month, boasting an eye-watering range of 805 kilometres (WLTP), maximum charging rate of 400 kW, and BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive featuring a 108 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack with cylindrical cells and 800-volt technology.

More information about the Australian specifications and a tour of the car can by The Driven’s own Riz Akhtar can be found in the relevant links.

On Tuesday, BMW confirmed  the Australian pricing, and the $109,900 starting price (RRP, including LCT and GST but excluding on-road costs) which may send a shudder through their rivals.

There are of course a range of additional extras which will send the price inching up, plus whatever on-road costs will be required.

Direct competitors such as the Audi Q6 e-tron quattro, Porsche Macan 4, Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor, and Genesis Electrified GV70, are all priced somewhere between $120,000 and $140,000, though even the heavily discounted Cadillac Lyriq is still retailing for between $117,000 and $119,000.

Interestingly, the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive will only be $5,000 more expensive than the outgoing model in the highest single-motor specification, and only $3,000 more expensive than the BMW X3 plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

Conversely, the new iX3 features a dual-motor configuration capable of producing 345 kW of power and 645 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from 0-100km/h of only 4.9-seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h.

The standard specification for the BMW iX3 50 xDrive is as follows, with nine paint exterior paint options, six alloy wheel options, a $3,500 M Sport Package Pro, and various upholstery and steering wheel options.

BMW iX3 50 xDrive – standard specification

20-inch wheels

22kW AC charging Professional

400kW DC charging

800V electrical architecture

Acoustic protection for pedestrians

Alarm system

Ambient light

Automatic air conditioning

Automatic tailgate operation

BMW 3D Head-up Display

BMW Digital Premium – 3-year duration

BMW Dynamic Performance Control

BMW Iconic Glow exterior package

BMW Panoramic Vision

Control display in Free-Cut Design

Comfort Access system incl. Digital Key Plus

DAB+ tuner

Driving Assistant Plus

Active Cruise Control

Steering and Lane Control Assistant

Fast charging cable, mode 3

HiFi loudspeaker system Harman Kardon

Intelligent charging flap

Luggage compartment separating net

M Sport Package

M Sport Brakes, Blue

M roof spoiler in body colour

Multifunction Charger, Mode 2

Multifunctional seats for driver and front passenger

Panoramic glass sunroof with climate comfort glazing

Parking Assistant Plus

Seat adjustment, electric, with memory

Seat heating for driver and front passenger

Sports steering wheel

Storage compartment under bonnet

Steering wheel heating

Sun protection glazing

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Tyre repair kit Plus

Veganza upholstery

 

Option program

 

A high level of standard specification and features makes for a simplified option program for the all-new BMW iX3, as summarised below:

 

Exterior paints
Name	Type	Price
Alpine White	Standard fitment
Black Sapphire metallic	Metallic	$2,000
M Brooklyn Grey metallic	Metallic	$2,000
Space Silver metallic	Metallic	$2,000
Fire Red metallic	Metallic	$2,000
Ocean Wave Blue metallic	Metallic	$2,000
Eucalyptus Green metallic	Metallic	$2,000
BMW Individual Polarised Grey metallic	BMW Individual	$2,000
BMW Individual Frozen Space Silver	BMW Individual	$6,000

 

Alloy wheels
Size	Type	Style	Colour	Price
20″	M light-alloy	Double-spoke style 1048 M	Bicolour	Standard fit.
20″	M aerodynamic	1047 M	Bicolour	No cost option
21″	M light alloy	Star-spoke style 1050 M	Bicolour	$2,500
21″	M aerodynamic	1051 M	Bicolour	$2,500
22″	BMW Individual aerodynamic	1053	Bicolour	$5,300
22″	M light alloy	Y-spoke style 1054 M	Bicolour	$7,700

 

M Sport Package Pro – $3,500 Features listed are in addition to those of the M Sport Package

M Sport brake, red high gloss

M seat belts

M steering wheel

M Sport seats for driver and front passenger

Specific contents of M Sport Pro Glass kidney grille in M Shadowline M-specific black high-gloss diffuser Mirror caps back high-gloss

 

Alternative options to pair with M Sport Pro Both no cost options

M Sport brake, dark blue metallic

Multifunction seats for driver and front passenger

 

Upholstery

Interior Design Contemporary – Veganza Only in combination with Multifunction seat

Black Bicolour Digital White Bicolour Castanea Bicolour Note: all no cost options

Interior Design BMW M – Veganza/Performtex combination

Black No cost option

Interior Design BMW Individual with Leather

Black Bicolour: $4,000 Only in combination with Multifunction seatAdelaide Grey Bicolour: $4,000 Only in combination with M Sport Seat

 

Steering wheels
Style	Price
Sports steering wheel (black)	Standard fitment
BMW Individual steering wheel (white) Only in combination with Digital White Bicolour upholstery	$300
M steering wheel (black) Only in combination with M Sport Pro	No cost option

 

 

Towbar

Trailer tow hitch preparation $2,500 Note: tongue kit and trailer power cable to be sold separately by authorised BMW dealerships. Full details including towing capacity and tow ball limit to be confirmed.

 

The BMW iX3 at a glance
Power unit, drive	Dual motor, fully electric, xDrive
Max power (kW)	345
Max torque (Nm)	645
HV battery (kWh)	108
Max AC charging (kW)	22
Max DC charging (kW)	400
Charging time (AC, 22kW; 0-100%)	5h30mins
Charging time (DC 400kW; 10-80%)	21 minutes
0-100km/h (sec)	4.9
Top speed (km/h)	210
Energy consumption (kWh/100km)	15.1
EV driving range (WLTP)	Up to 805km
Price	$109,900*