Electric X3 to come here from China?

An electric version of BMW’s X3 SUV has been revealed, with production set to start in 2020 – and the NZ version could be coming from China.

The new version of the popular midsize SUV promises 200kW of power, and a range of around 400km from a 70kWh battery pack. The iX3 is capable of fast charging at up to 150kW – which will allow for a fill in just 30 minutes if such chargers were to come to New Zealand.

While the X3 is built in the United States and South Africa, the iX3 will launch production for the model in China, with some reports that will be the only manufacturing location.

BMW AG management board chairman Harald Kruger noted China’s leading role in the EV world at the reveal during the Auto China 2018 show.

“China is clearly leading in e-mobility,” he says. “That’s why I brought this world premiere to Beijing: The BMW Concept iX3.”

Kruger says the iX3 will be the first all-electric BMW core model and will go into production in China in 2020.

”That we will build the all-electric BMW iX3 here clearly demonstrates our strong commitment to China.”