BMW unveils electric SUV as its first export from China

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Concept launch

BMW plans to begin producing its first all-electric sport utility vehicle, dubbed the iX3, in 2020 at its joint-venture plant in China's Shenyang, and will sell the model abroad, according to partner Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. The German manufacturer is offering buyers an early taste of the car with a concept unveiled Wednesday at the Beijing auto show.

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Reuters

Suitable for exports

The iX3 project makes BMW the first major luxury-car maker to ship high-tech vehicles from China, in a sign consumers no longer equate the country with cheap products. It positions the Shenyang site to supply SUVs to the US, the second-biggest market for BMW, even with the question of higher American tariffs against Chinese-made goods still up in the air. The government’s Made in China 2025 development drive is giving foreign carmakers more confidence their local joint-venture factories have the technology suitable for exports.

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AFP

Built on BMW X3 chassis

According to a BMW blog, some unique changes were made for electric duty. For instance, the iX3 receives a new rear subframe and modifications to fit a battery pack and electric motor. This will be the first in flexible architectures for BMW, which will all be able to accommodate internal combustion engines as well as electric powertrains.

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BMW

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Jazzed up X3

At the front, its kidney grilles are replaced with sort of faux grilles, as electric cars don’t need air cooling. It’s a closed grille unit and it looks good, as it still shows off the classic BMW kidney grille design without have an actual grille. It’s a much better alternative to Tesla’s Matrix-like mouth. Down the side, it looks like a standard X3, except for the blue highlight down the side skirt and the charging port that’s been cleverly incorporated into the Air Breather.

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BMW

Power terrain and range

The SUV uses BMW's fifth-generation of electric motor that’s been developed specifically for SAVs (BMW Speak for Sport Activity Vehicle). The BMW iX3 will make 270 hp and a total range of 249 miles. With 150 kWh, it’s said that it can charge almost 100 percent in just 30 minutes.