In my opinion, iX3 is not so much an attempt by BMW to "formally" enter the new energy market in China after i3 and i8, but another unique understanding of BMW's embrace of pure electric life in the current environment. Then the question is, how many BMW genes are still flowing in the blood of this iX3, and how pure the X3 is after being electrified. The answers are revealed one by one.
"oil to electricity"
Actually, to be honest, when you get into a BMW? At the moment of iX3, the author had some "collapse" in his heart. Accurately speaking, he is unwilling to accept this reality-"oil to electricity".
In fact, iX3 is almost the same as X3 in appearance, interior, space and layout.
However, iX3 adopts a closed double kidney front grille similar to most pure electric vehicles, and adds a silver "I" logo at the front fender to show the difference. In addition, the hub is replaced by a 5-spoke two-color low wind resistance hub, and the cutting surface of the outer edge can be obviously felt to be very smooth.
However, when you enter the car, you will find that its interior is more prosaic, except for some blue decorative strips, such as the steering wheel logo, keyless start button and iconic shift lever. Even the "ancestral" yellow backlight atmosphere lights on BMW models are in this brand-new BMW? IX3 is passed.
But don't really think iX3 is not desirable. On the contrary, apart from the "some things" mentioned above, every sentence and point I will say next reveals BMW's ambition and its extraordinary strength.
A little electricity.
The first is the electronic sound.
As the name implies, it is to use special sound effects to simulate the state when the vehicle starts and the sound when accelerating. As for how special it is, I think everyone has seen Inception's Pirates of the Caribbean, Interstellar. Worst of all, you've heard of the lion king, haven't you?
Yes, in order to let all the senses of iX3 owners experience BMW's pure driving pleasure, BMW specially invited Hans Zimmer, the legendary winner of Oscar and Golden Globe Award for best film score, to create the sound of starting, stopping and accelerating the vehicle.
Among them, there are two modes of accelerating simulated sound waves, one is sports with loud sound, and the other is relatively normal balance. I have to say that the actual experience can really arouse your driving desire more than ordinary pure electric vehicles, which is quite unexpected. Because in the traditional sense, it is difficult to stimulate the driver's nerve center only by hearing. To achieve such a strong contrast and stimulation, there is only one possibility, and that is "hearing+vision".
It's not that iX3 used any AI black technology, which deliberately created a different visual impact for you, but the author simply wanted to express that it was really "fast", especially when the author drove it into the Jinkana Stadium, which made this point clearer.
Of course, it's not just you, and I'm not used to the track without the roar of the engine, but I didn't know I had a BMW until I heard a little squeak of tires. The limit of this BMW was so high.
At the moment when the green light is on, even if the switch is fully open, this iX3 will not release all its strength, but will steadily push you out of the starting line and then fire with all its strength. This feeling is very similar to that of a traditional fuel car. Facts have proved that this car is very easy to use and will not make the first-time passengers feel uncomfortable because of electric drive.
The author started with a sudden braking before entering the corner, followed by an "S" curve, followed by a heavy braking, followed by a 360-degree circle, a set of smooth operation, almost forgot the original market positioning of iX3, it is a medium-sized SUV! But you can't stop acting like a rabbit. Speaking of stopping, the author observed that the car almost never stopped after the start of the race. In my hand, it has been driving for at least 50 laps, but the whole braking system can still give the driver enough confidence.
So whether iX3 is a BMW or not is not a word from the author, but is telling every BMW fan present with actual performance-because it is electricity, it is enough.
Hugging electricity
After leaving the stadium, let's talk about BMW's understanding of pure electricity.
This iX3 has three power modes, namely, sports, comfort and ECO. The difference between these three modes is quite big, mainly reflected in two points, one is the sensitivity of the electric switch, and the other is the steering feel of the steering wheel. To put it bluntly, the switch in sports mode is more sensitive, and the vehicle will jump forward when it is slightly stepped on. In ECO mode, the feedback of the switch pedal is slow, and it will not raise its head even if it is downshifted.
But no matter which mode, the steering wheel's righting torque is similar, and it will not be deliberately reduced because of exercise, nor will it be deliberately increased because of economy. Moreover, the damping of the steering wheel from left to right is also moderate, and there is no light fake or deliberate weight.
Of course, these are all expected. To my surprise, iX3 has an adaptive function besides three kinetic energy recovery modes: high, medium and low.
The implication is that it will judge whether there is a car driving ahead according to the camera at the front of the car, and will automatically switch the level of energy recovery with the speed. To be honest, I personally think the significance of this function is more for security reasons. Because it does help you brake in advance when the vehicle in front suddenly brakes, the actual experience can still be obviously felt a bit abrupt, not very linear, and even a long stop-and-go may make passengers and drivers feel uncomfortable.
In addition, I think everyone is familiar with ACC autopilot assistance system, and iX3 is no exception. It is equipped with two modes, one is intelligent assisted cruise mode, and the other is distance control function. During the whole experience, whether it is following the car before and after, or following the car left and right, the vehicle is very easy-going, gentle and close to normal driving habits.
When the hands leave the steering wheel for a short time, about five or six seconds, there will be a yellow light belt on the steering wheel to remind the driver to put his hands back on the steering wheel. It is worth learning that unlike other brands, BMW uses a capacitive steering wheel, which is safer, because you don't need to shake the steering wheel left and right to tell the feedback system "I am back", just put your hand back on the steering wheel gently. This function can be realized anywhere on the steering wheel, and the response is very sensitive.
Finally, the 50-meter reversing function.
If the speed does not exceed 35 kilometers per hour, the vehicle will automatically record the last 50 meters of the steering wheel and can help you realize the reversing function.
In fact, as early as the 1972 Olympic Games, BMW's pure electric technology emerged on the world stage. So today's iX3 is not BMW's hasty decision. On the contrary, on iX3, you can see BMW's determination for future electric travel. At the same time, iX3 also let all BMW fans see the unique soul that electric drive gives driving control. I believe that with the large-scale promotion of China's electrification industry, iX3' s future market performance will be more eye-catching, and BMW's electrification trend will also be fully launched.
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.