Photos of the forthcoming BMW iX3 may have just been revealed online. An Instagram user posted what appears to be images of BMW’s production-bound battery-electric crossover SUV sans camouflage.
The German brand’s EV X3 looks good in the leaked images, too, which show off the model’s black grille, more aero-friendly front fascia, star-shaped wheels, and blue lower-body trim pieces. Predictably, it looks much like the iX3 concept that BMW unveiled in 2018. Unfortunately, however, it seems the electric X3 variant is nothing but forbidden fruit for North American consumers.
Back in March, Automotive News reported that BMW had nixed plans to bring the iX3 to the U.S. market. BMW didn’t elaborate on its purported decision, but many believe the model’s range will fall short of what American consumers prefer (and what competitors offer). The concept iX3 debuted with a range of over 249 miles on the global WLTP cycle, which is typically more liberal than the EPA’s scale. The crossover’s supposed lack of all-wheel drive at launch likely further limits its desirability here in the States.
BMW is targeting 25 electrified vehicles in its lineup by 2023. The futuristic-looking BMW iNext electric car will roll out of the automaker’s factory in Dingolfing, Germany, starting in 2021. As we recently learned, BMW is also preparing a production-bound iteration of its i4 concept electric sedan. While we Yanks might miss out on the upcoming iX3, we certainly expect BMW to send its fair-share of battery-electric vehicles to the United States in the coming years.