X3

Make
BMW
Segment
SUV

It's no secret that BMW is planning to electrify its entire range – and it's happening sooner, rather than later. Between 2019 and 2025, BMW plans to launch as many as 12 new electric vehicles. As a result, we'll start to see more conventional-looking EVs based on current BMW models outside of the i range. Our spy photographers recently caught a prototype of the upcoming plug-in hybrid X3 crossover being put through its paces in snowy Sweden completely undisguised.

While this latest X3 test vehicle looks virtually identical to the plug-in hybrid, what we're looking at here is the fully electric BMW iX3. How do we know this? Well, the prominent "electric test vehicle" stickers on the doors are a bit of a giveaway, as are the lack of exhaust pipes at the back. Instead, the electric crossover has a full-width bumper devoid of any cut-outs. Just as we saw on the plug-in hybrid prototype X3, there's also a charging port on the left fender and, according to our spy photographer, lowered suspension to improve the aerodynamics and electric range. We can also see a revised front fascia featuring a redesigned front bumper on this latest BMW iX3 prototype.

Regarding the power and battery capacity of BMW's upcoming rival to the Audi E-Tron, Mercedes EQC, and Jaguar i-Pace, sources suggest it will have a range of around 200 miles on a single charge to compete with the Model X, but details are still scarce for now. In contrast to other prototype cars that have been caught testing in spy shots, BMW isn't being very secretive about its upcoming electric SUV. Clearly, it wants to promote it as early as possible, because while both the Jaguar i-Pace and Audi e-Tron will launch this year, the BMW iX3 probably won't be ready until 2019 and launch as a 2020 model, so its main competitors are getting a head start.