It’s been a little more than a month since BMW unveiled the all-new Neue Klasse-based iX3 crossover, and despite the broader market’s apparent aversion to the adoption of EVs, this one is proving so popular that BMW is struggling to meet demand. The Bavarian automaker isn’t resting on its laurels, though, and our spy photographers have captured the next chapter in BMW’s electric crossover’s story, the high-performance iX3 M, near the Nürburgring. The prototype they’ve spotted is still covered in plenty of camouflage, but it’s wearing production headlights and taillights, and behind the placeholder wheels, we can see big brakes with drilled discs, hinting at its sporty credentials. That said, there’s still a lot being hidden from us, including what to expect in terms of output.
iX3 M Prototype Wears Curious Body Cladding
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Unusually for an all-electric vehicle (as confirmed by the closed-off upper front fascia and the lack of exhaust tips), this prototype has some strange cladding on the hood that appears to hide venting. Presumably, these will be fake outlets like the recesses on the hood of the current BMW M4. Further back, the mirror housings appear to be similar to those of the G90 M5 sedan, and that super sedan’s rear fascia appears to have influenced the diffuser panel on this prototype with a recess in the middle, which exists to accommodate a tow hitch, underscoring the duality between practicality and performance that the upcoming crossover will personify. The side skirts also seem more textured, and the taillights we mentioned earlier appear to be slightly tinted to add a more aggressive look and feel to the rear end. Finally, the roof spoiler appears to be slightly chunkier than that of the regular iX3.
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Performance And Reveal Date Remain A Mystery
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As noted on the Bimmerpost forum, BMW has already begun offering the new iX3 with M Performance cosmetic upgrades, but that’s all the M Division is giving us for now, with no hint as to the launch date or performance metrics of this hotter M variant. The standard iX3’s dual-motor powertrain produces 463 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque, enough to get from 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 130 mph. Presumably, that means the iX3 M will exceed 500 hp and get to 60 mph in the mid-to-high three-second range. With just two months to go until 2025 draws to a close, we don’t expect a reveal until next year, likely toward the end of the first quarter. Should more information become available, we’ll update you as soon as we get it.
