BMW added to its fully electric range. Several electric cars sneak in under $89,332, thus avoiding Luxury Car Tax (LCT) for fuel efficient vehicles and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) for fleet operators.

It starts with the iX1 eDrive20, a snip at $78,900 coming in early 2024. It joins the iX1 xDrive30, at $84,900 and the i4 eDrive35 Gran Coupé for $85,900. The iX3 M Sport comes in at $89,100 an will join the BMW electric Car forecourt towards the end of 2023. It will be the new base model, with the iX3 M Sport Pro on top. The latter will get a few extra inclusions for added “value”.

BMW Australia claims to have the widest selection of fully electric vehicles in the Australian market. With the arrival of the i4 eDrive35 and iX3 M Sport by the end of 2023, BMW will have 12 options over six fully electric models.

By next year, one in five of the BMW Group’s new vehicles will come with a fully electric drivetrain. This will be one in four the following, and by 2026, one in three BMW models will be an EV. It hardly seemed possible a decade ago. The BMW Group wants over two million of its fully electric vehicles on the road by the end of 2025.

There are still those who claim that BMW is just another company greenwashing itself with feel-good EV offerings, but by 2023, BMW will have a 40 per cent saving of C02 emissions over 2019 levels. This is measured from “nose to tail” so to speak, including the creation of the car and its supply chain. The full life cycle also includes its disposal as its sad retirement concludes.

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ABOVE: BMW’s expanded EV line-up

iX1 eDrive20

BMW iX1 eDrive20 uses a 150kW/247Nm (with temporary boost)  electric motor with a range of 430 to 475 kilometres ( WLTP). The respectable 0-100 km/h arrives in 8.6 seconds, to a limited electronically top speed of 170km/h.

The under-floor 64.7kWh battery uses 22kW to charge up in 3:45 hours. A 130kW DC public charger goes from10 to 80 percent in 29 minutes.

Inside, menus are fettled with “QuickSelect” using BMW Operating System 9. With over-the-air function, BMW will add or modify data, free for a time, but via subscription after that.

The BMW Curved Display combines a 10.25” and 10.7“ under a single smooth glass surface tilted slightly at the driver.

Specification highlights of the iX1 eDrive20 are as follows:

  • 18” alloy wheels
  • 2-zone auto climate control
  • Adaptive LED headlights
  • Automatic tailgate
  • BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant
  • BMW Live Cockpit Pro 10.7” & 10.25” curved widescreen display, feat. Operating System 9
  • Comfort Access and Digital Key Plus
  • DAB Digital radio
  • Driving Assistant Plus inc. Active Cruise Control inc. Stop&Go and Blind Spot Monitor
  • BMW Head Up Display
  • Instrument panel in Sensatec
  • M Headliner in Anthracite
  • Mirror package, incl. anti-dazzle function
  • Parking Assistant Plus incl. Surround view camera, Reversing Assistant and Drive Recorder
  • Remote Software Updates
  • Roof rails
  • Sport leather steering wheel
  • Tyre Repair Kit
  • Tyre Pressure Monitoring system
  • Upholstery, Veganza
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Wireless phone charging

Electric vehicle specific content:

  • BMW Iconic Sounds Electric
  • 22kW AC onboard charging capability
  • 130kW DC onboard charging capability
  • Flexible Fast charge cable (Mode 2)
  • Public Charging cable (Mode 3)
  • 12-month Chargefox Subscription

i4 eDrive35

BMW i4 eDrive35 uses the same fifth-generation BMW eDrive seen on all other electric BMW’s sold here.

i4 eDrive35 puts the a single motor on the the rear wheels, packing 210kW/400Nm, for a 0-00km/h of 6 seconds. It has a range of 430km with a 67kWh that can be charged at up to 11kW via AC, or at 180kW on a high-speed DC charger.

That’s still quite some way behind Porsche and the Hyundai Group’s 350kw  max charge rate

BMW i4 eDrive35  highlights:

  • 18” alloy wheels
  • Tyre repair kit
  • LED headlights
  • High beam assistant
  • Driving Assistant
  • Active Cruise Control w Stop&Go
  • BMW Iconic Sounds Electric
  • Acoustic pedestrian protection
  • BMW Live Cockpit Professional
  • BMW Head-Up Display
  • Parking Assistant
  • Accent highlights in Frozen Grey
  • Automatic climate control, 3-zone
  • Electric seat adjustment, front
  • Sport seats, front
  • Sensatec upholstery
  • Comfort Access system
  • Ambient interior lighting
  • Galvanic embellishers for controls
  • Automatic operation of tailgate
  • M headliner Anthracite
  • Storage compartment package
  • Connected Package Professional
  • Wireless Smartphone Integration
  • Wireless charging for smartphone
  • DAB+ Digital radio tuner
  • HiFi Loudspeaker system
  • Flexible Fast Charger
  • Public charging cable, Mode 3
  • 12 month Chargefox subscription

iX3 M Sport

iX3 M Sport come with 210kW/400Nm worth of grunt, and a 0-100km/h of 6.8-seconds. Range is

461km from its 80kWh (74kWh utilised). Onboard charging is done using 11kW AC, or or a max of 150kW on a “high-speed DC” charger, going from 0-80% in 34 minutes. Owners cab get a quick 100km top up in 10 minutes, handy if your destination is close by.

The BMW iX3 M Sport highlights:

  • 19” alloy wheels
  • M Sport package
  • Metallic paint
  • Panorama glass sunroof
  • Comfort Access
  • Sports seats with leather upholstery
  • Driving Assistant Professional
  • Adaptive suspension
  • Parking Assistant including reversing camera
  • Seat heating, front row

2023/24 BMW FBT & LCT exempt fully electric line-up

Model Power Torque Accel.
(sec)		 Gross battery capacity
(kWh)		 Range Price Launch

timing
iX1 eDrive20 150kW 247Nm 8.6 67 Up to 475# $78,900* Q1, ‘24
iX1 xDrive30 230kW 494Nm 5.6 67 Up to 400^ $84,900* Q2, ‘23
i4 eDrive35 210kW 400Nm 6.0 70 Up to 430^ $85,900* Q4, ‘23
iX3 M Sport 210kW 400Nm 6.8 80 Up to 461^ $89,100* Q4, ‘23

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