The BMW iX3, the pure EV version of the BMW X3 SUV, will be officially launched on September 13 in Shenyang, where BMW's biggest manufacturing base is situated, the German luxury car maker said. 

(BMW iX3, photo source: BMW China)

　　Some electric cars look radically different from their fuel-burning versions, but not the BMW iX3. In fact, it looks quite similar to the petrol-powered X3 from most angles. The front still features BMW's signature kidney-shaped grille, while does away with the standard X3's vertical slats. As a BEV model, the iX3 gets rid of air intakes as it doesn't need to cool a hot engine. The closed-up grille is designed to elevate the aerodynamic performance. 

　　The blue highlights can been seen at the grille, the running boards on both sides and the rear, where the exhaust pipes are supposed to exist for the oil-fueled BMW X3.

　　With dimensions of 4,746mm long, 1,891mm wide, 1,683mm tall, and a wheelbase of 2,864mm, the BMW iX3 plays in the league of medium-sized SUVs.

　　The BMW iX3 carries an electric motor that is good for 210kW and 400 N·m. Powered by a 74kWh lithium-ion battery pack offered by CATL, it can return a range of up to 460km in a single charge in WLTP cycle or 520 under NEDC. Thanks to this powertrain solution and delicate design to improve aerodynamic performance, the vehicle can sprint from standstill to 100km/h within 6.8 seconds.

　　It is noteworthy that the BMW iX3 boasts the fifth-gen BMW e-Drive technology, which is built on a flexible architecture than can be fitted into various types of FWD, RWD and AWD platforms.

　　The yet-to-be-launched iX3 will be manufactured at the Shenyang manufacturing plant of BMW Brilliance, the German automaker's joint venture with Brilliance Auto, and will be sold to not only in China but also to overseas markets (excluding the U.S.).