BMW is launching the iX3 in Europe. This electric SUV comes with an impressive range and a charging speed that’s equally notable. And, for once, Europe gets it first before China. The Chinese market won’t have precisely the same version, since BMW has had to tailor the iX3 for local requirements.
Modified door handles
If you follow Chinese automotive news regularly, you know regulators have decided to legislate to better regulate the use of electric door handles. The goal is to prevent people from getting trapped during accidents because of powered handles.
The iX3 uses outwardly retractable door handles and interior handles that are electrically operated. While it has been confirmed that an opening remains possible in a crash, the China‑bound iX3 features different hardware. Indeed, there are no retractable exterior handles. The entry points are integrated, but a slot allows you to slide a finger to trigger the release.
The system appears simpler and cheaper to manufacture, without a complete redesign of the vehicle’s styling. Additionally, the aerodynamic impact should be very small.
An extended wheelbase version
Another major change on the Chinese iX3 is the wheelbase length. Now stretched to 3,005 mm, it is 11 cm longer than the European iX3. But why this choice, when Chinese buyers are, on average, smaller than their German counterparts?
The answer is cultural. In China, interior space is a key criterion, especially for premium cars often driven by chauffeurs. Another explanation is that vehicles are sometimes bought for younger generations by their parents, who are then chauffeured. If you’re buying a car to be transported, rear-seat space becomes paramount.
That 11 cm longer wheelbase thus serves as a strong selling point for the iX3 in China, even though charging speed and range should already meet expectations. In China, the stated range is listed at about 900 km, versus 800 km in Europe, thanks to a more favorable homologation cycle; in reality, the most efficient examples could approach 1,000 km with their iX3. In France, a BMW iX3 40 version is arriving to offer a more accessible entry price.
