The new class of BMW is a milestone for Munich’s future. A first trip in the BMW IX3 50 XDRIVE prototype shows whether the optimism of BMW is justified.
When a new car is started, the marketing machine of a manufacturer leads to millions of euros and countless development hours at full throttle. The new class of BMW was announced so loudly that it is almost tinnitus-inducing. After the BMW development manager Dr. Joachim Post described the platform as the “project of the century”. Sounds terrific – but the new class platform is indeed fundamental. By the end of 2027, over 40 models will use its technology. A failure here would be catastrophic.
Production begins at the beginning of next year with the BMW IX3, which embodies new class purity. In contrast to Mercedes’ approach, BMW used EV platforms used for compact and medium -sized models. We are in a prototype IX3 50 XDrive with an EESM rear engine and an ASM front engine. Accurate numbers are secret, but the EESM engines range from 200 kW to 300 kW and ASM units from 120 kW to 180 kW. Together it is a lot of strength – and it proves that the accelerator steps hard on the accelerator pedal. The power supply is pre-tensioned at the back, whereby the front wheels only enter into the BMW tradition and more efficient if necessary.
Our prototype uses a full steel chassis – no adaptive dampers. “Steel is honest,” says vehicle dynamic expert Stefan Kecht and he is right. With a solid basic structure, adaptive dampers simply refine more than compensating than compensating. The street of the chassis relay feels clearly, but remains comfortable. Body Pogo is minimal and the car rises well. High torsion stiffness in the battery area means chassis and suspension must harmonize without weight. The steering of the IX3 feels intuitively, with traction awareness at the front. The return forces are also fixed in sports mode, but not exaggerated as with some older BMWs.
The IX3 moves quickly with confidence – BMW delivers the dynamics. His brain is a new controller “Heart of Joy”, who manages ten times faster than before a chassis, engines, engines and brakes. It synchronizes the steering input, the wheel speeds and turns the torque and immediately brakes on the right wheels. Even a lane change at 130 km/h is effortless. This system is fully developed by BMW-no external suppliers who retain IP. Four such powerful computers manage driving dynamics, infotainment, climate and autonomous driving.
BMW offers three rain level and a pedal mode (“B” on the gear lever). Roll mode is not yet available. The pedal feeling is natural; The braking force is balanced. The full stops are smooth, with seamless transition between rain and mechanical brakes.
Driver aid emphasizes human control. The car brakes for pedestrians, navigated through partially parked vehicles and stood up during the hands-off highway lane as soon as they blind or look. Even an e -mail dictation at 130 km/h is possible, which confirms the real autonomy of level 3.
Panorama Idrive eyelashes is triggered by the rotary switch in favor of language and steering wheel controls. Buttons offer haptic feedback, and only relevant functions are active. A slim display under the windshields hosts customizable widgets, which always shows speed and battery status. AR HEAD -UP display projects a virtual 52 -inch screen at seven meters away.
