BMW’s highly anticipated electric car, the iX3, has achieved a remarkable feat, exceeding range expectations. During a special drive on public roads, the electric SUV managed to exceed 1,000 kilometers on a single charge. The second-generation iX3, unveiled a few months ago and rated at 800 kilometers according to WLTP standards, proved to far exceed its official range with this rigorous test.

New Record from BMW iX3

BMW assembled a dedicated team to personally test the limits of this new model, built on its next-generation electric vehicle platform, Neue Klasse. The team took delivery of the iX3 from its Debrecen factory in Hungary and set off for Munich, BMW’s headquarters in Germany.

The team completed the 1,007-kilometer route without recharging. At the end of the trip, the vehicle’s battery had 2 percent charge remaining. This means they could theoretically cover approximately 20 kilometers more.

This remarkable range achievement stems from the team’s rigorous strategies. High-speed highways were strictly avoided throughout the journey, opting instead for lower-speed roads where the vehicle’s regenerative braking system would operate most effectively.

As a critical step to maximize energy efficiency, the smaller 20-inch wheels were used on the test iX3 instead of the optional 21- or 22-inch wheels. Furthermore, to further reduce energy consumption, vehicle features such as air conditioning, heating, and radio were turned off throughout the journey.

BMW performed this impressive drive with the only announced version, the iX3 50 xDrive. This powerful version generates a total of 463 horsepower from its dual electric motors and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds.

This high-performance SUV also boasts a substantial 108.7 kWh battery pack. The achievement demonstrates that this large battery, combined with efficient driving techniques, offers exceptional range potential.