Are you ready to tee-off with BMW’s ‘new class’ of car, the all-electric five-seater iX3 sports activity vehicle?
The Bavarian carmaker claim it is capable of up to 500 miles on a single charge – enough to get you from the golf courses at Wentworth to the Old Course at St Andrews. That range is the longest of any electric car on sale in the UK.
Indeed, it was at Wentworth last weekend that thousands of golf fans braved the rain to attend the BMW-sponsored PGA Championship.
They became the first in the UK to see the distinctive new electric vehicle up close, following its world premiere in Munich earlier this month.
And, in the BMW ‘Village’, helpful staff – such as brand manager Andy – were on hand to talk spectators like myself through the highlights of the new car.
BMW bosses launching a concept car last year were sensitive about losing more physical buttons. So here’s the deal.
All-electric: The iX3 is capable of up to 500 miles on a single charge, according to BMW
The much-loved rotating iDrive ‘dial and press’ controller has been dropped and more controls have been put on to the smartly attired and squared-off multi-function steering wheel.
To help avoid mistaken commands, you must first ‘click’ each thumb-slider control before it becomes ‘live’.
Outside, BMW has scrapped the controversial cartoon-like kidney grille in favour of a slimmer version (which can also be illuminated) to create a more classically proportionate ‘face’, similar to more minimalist 1960s and ’70s models.
The most innovative interior change is the iDrive digital display screen, running the width of the car, sandwiched between the bottom of the windscreen and the top of the dashboard.
But if that’s not enough to maintain ‘eyes on the road’ driving, you can specify an optional head–up display (I would anyway) and there’s still the conventional iPad-like screen in the centre of the dashboard.
There are, however, physical controls for side mirrors, windscreen wipers, hazard lights and heating.
Built in Hungary in an eco factory, the first model will be the 469hp all-wheel drive iX3 50 xDrive, accelerating from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, up to 130mph. It will cost from £58,755, with first UK deliveries from March 7 next year.
Riding on 20 in wheels, there are three trim levels: standard iX3, iX3 M Sport and M Sport Pro. Expect a rear-wheel drive with a 600-mile range to follow.
The 520-litre boot extends to 1,750 litres with the rear seats down, and there’s a 58-litre front-trunk or ‘frunk’. Cosseting ‘sofa-like’ rear seats are relaxing with leather free materials standard.
Audi has launched a new ‘Jaguar’
The German car maker’s two-seater ‘Concept C’ is smaller than its rival the Jaguar Type 00 model yet still looks familiar: that slabby face with narrow lights and the curvy rear with louvred slats over the back window.
No theatrics: Audi’s two-seater ‘Concept C’ is smaller than its rival the Jaguar Type 00 model yet still looks familiar
But, Audi’s presentation of its car avoided any of the bizarre ‘woke’ theatrics that accompanied Jaguar’s rebranding and the unveiling last year of its Type 00 model – sparking criticism from traditional customers.
Coincidentally, Audi’s new design chief Massimo Frascella was previously head of design at Jaguar Land Rover.
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