BMW iX3 M60: first of BMW’s groundbreaking Neue Klasse gains sportier flagship

---

Overshadowed at BMW’s unveiling of the iX4 yesterday was a new range-topper for the iX3 that spawned it.

With combined output of 450kW and 875Nm, the new iX3 M60 xDrive sits significantly above the 345kW and 645Nm of the iX3 50, offering claimed 0-100km/h acceleration of just 3.9 seconds.

The iX3 50’s 109kWh battery carries over, though the dual electric motors (one at each axle) are more powerful. 

WLTP range drops by 51km to 754km, but the M60 can still charge as quickly as other iX3s. Able to accept DC (fast) charging at up to 400kW, it can theoretically take in 340km worth of charge in ten minutes.

The M60 xDrive is ostensibly an M car in name only. BMW’s M Division produces its own motors, redesigns the suspension and widens the donor car; changes are so great that BMW issues it a new model code. Little of this translates in the iX3 M60, which shares its ‘NA5’ code with other iX3s.

However, the M60 xDrive offers a raft of enhancements, such as adaptive suspension, allowing its stiffness to vary based on conditions or driving mode. Also new to the iX3 is an electronic limited-slip differential on the rear axle.

Revised steering introduces a variable rack ratio that theoretically adjusts steering effort to speed and conditions. Steering benefits from chassis reinforcements at the front, and an upgraded front anti-roll bar.

M-specific front seats and steering wheel are fitted inside. On the steering wheel are buttons to engage a temporary max-attack ‘Boost’ mode, as well as M Sport and M Sport Plus mode to adapt the steering, throttle response and suspension for energetic driving.

Visible in photos is something unexpected – paddleshifters on the steering wheel. The M Division is known to be following Hyundai in developing a simulated gearbox for its EVs, but whether this is it isn’t clear.

BMW claims that “the driver can use the shift paddles on the steering wheel to actively influence the responses of M eDrive and to adapt the car’s performance with exceptional precision according to the driving situation at hand.”

On the outside, efforts to pretend the iX3 M60 is an M car include yellow daytime running lights, previously reserved for limited-edition M cars. Also new are a unique mirror design with the M Division’s blue-indigo-red stripes on it, and a new light pattern between the headlights and grille.

The iX3 M60 xDrive is confirmed for Australia, though timing and pricing is yet to be confirmed. Production starts in autumn next year, so Australian deliveries beginning next winter seems a reasonable guess.

In Australia the iX3 and the petrol X3 are priced evenly, so the iX3 M60 may mimic the petrol X3 M50’s $131,400 before-on-roads price.