The Bavarian automaker introduced the G01 third-generation BMW X3 battery-electric version at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show with the model code G08 and the BMW iX3 moniker. Back then, it was just a concept, but it quickly morphed into the third member of the BMW I family as the first all-electric BMW sport utility vehicle starting in 2020.
However, the all-new BMW iX3 wasn't brought to places like North America because of its rather limited range and RWD configuration – the production version debuted in July 2020 with a single electric motor for the rear axle packing 282 hp and an acceleration of 6.8 seconds to 100 kph (62 mph) plus top speed of 112 mph (180 kph) facilitated by a battery of 80 kWh which enables a WLTP range of 290 miles (460 km) on a single charge.
Soon enough, in 2022, it went through a facelift procedure – BMW's so-called LCI (life cycle impulse), when it debuted a larger (fake) kidney grille, slimmer adaptive LED headlights, and a standard M package, among other subtle features. Naturally, with a brisk pace for updates, everyone thinks it won't take long before the Bavarians bring out the second-generation iX3 or another model as its successor.
For quite a while already, the rumor mill has been debating the situation based on the latest spied prototypes – the replacement for the BMW iX3 is expected sometime later this year or early in 2025 with significantly different looks compared to the current generation. Of course, the mystery has cleared a bit since BMW introduced the Vision Neue Klasse X Concept – most likely, the iX3 will adopt the fresh Neue Klasse underpinnings along with the quirky design that's bound to spark another massive set of debates regarding the necessity of such extreme styling.
Well, everyone seems to have gotten accustomed to the distinct possibility of seeing the next X3 and iX3 sport, the Neue Klasse X vision – including the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. More precisely, this virtual artist, better known as SRK Designs on social media, has decided to trust his CGI instinct and come up with a dreamy BMW iX3 all-electric CUV directly based on the real-world's Vision Neue Klasse X concept SUV.
The latter sports one of the most radical (re)designs BMW has ever attempted in modern history, according to some – and we all know that it hasn't been a lack of extreme styling ideas from the Bavarian automaker's designers recently if we think about the iX, 7 Series and i7, X7 LCI, M4, M3, or M2, plus the flagship XM, among others. On the other hand, maybe that's what it takes for BMW to break Tesla Model Y's best-selling streak, right? So, what do you think?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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