BMW Jamaica welcomed the model they expect to lead them into the future — the all-new iX3 — on the East Lawn of Devon House, St Andrew, on Sunday, June 14.

“To finally reveal to Jamaica what many have touted as the world’s best electric vehicle ever made, and to be made by BMW, that’s an amazing feeling,” Uche McLean, head of business, BMW Jamaica, told the Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.

The BMW iX3 represents the Neue Klasse era for the brand, with a new design language and a massive jump in technology.(Photo: Rory Daley)

The iX3 reflects a major leap in BMW vehicles going forward, bearing a new design language, improved electrification, and a digital transformation. BMW has termed this era Neue Klasse, and the iX3 is the first model to bring all these elements to market.

Body lines have been reduced, leaving sharp and precise surfacing for a more powerful appearance. The iconic BMW kidney grille has been reinterpreted, now vertical, and integrated with a horizontal light signature that replaces the traditional chrome surround. The rear also sports a new visual look that provides animated lighting during vehicle operation.

As an electric platform, you get a front-trunk with the iX3. (Photo: Rory Daley)

Under the skin of the iX3 is the sixth generation of BMW’s eDrive technology. The model is built on an 800V architecture, where the new, more energy-dense battery is a structural component of the vehicle. It can charge at up to 400kW, giving 231 miles of range in 10 minutes, also partly due to enhanced battery management software. Total range is up to 500 miles, dependent on model, and there is vehicle-to-load capabilities. Horsepower figures range up to 469 based on the trim level.

The iX3 premieres the BMW Panoramic Vision and the Panoramic iDrive system. (Photo: Rory Daley)

BMW has labelled the iX3 as a software-defined vehicle due to the improved technology backbone built into the new platform. The technology can be seen in the interior as BMW moves to expand the digital interaction between driver and vehicle. This is obvious via the BMW Panoramic Vision, running the Panoramic iDrive system, alongside a new free-cut centre display touchscreen, and if equipped, a 3D head-Up Display. Panoramic Vision projects information across the entire length of the lower section of the windscreen. Using the BMW App, users can access a significant amount of vehicle functions, from the surround view cameras to vehicle location.

“The X3 is a critical model. It’s the model that carries the weight of the brand here in Jamaica. Thankfully, it’s a very versatile line-up, from two-wheel drive petrol engines, to all-wheel drive petrol engines, to M Performance versions that give you BMW’s racing heritage, to plug-in hybrid, to this new EV,” said McLean.