The M2 Competition won’t be BMW‘s only star attraction at Auto China as the company has released the first teaser video of the iX3 concept.
Designed to preview a production model that will arrive in 2020, the iX3 concept will have a new and likely controversial interruption of the company’s twin kidney grille. As you can see, the grille is a single piece unit with nothing in the middle to separate its two sides.
Besides looking like a combination of a BMW and Kia grille, the component has two different interior designs and serves no functional purpose as the model is an electric vehicle.
BMW iX3 test mule based on the new X3’s body
BMW is staying tight-lipped about the concept but spy photographers have caught prototypes of the production model on several different occasions. The crossover is largely identical to the standard X3 but it has been equipped with a charging port on the front fender. The model also has a new rear bumper as the iX3 doesn’t need an exhaust system. Engineers also appeared to have reduced the ride height in an effort to minimize drag and eke out a little more range.
Additional modifications are expected and the grille on the iX3 concept could be preview one of the possible changes. Of course, we’ll get a better look at the model when it is officially unveiled later this month.
There’s no word on powertrain details but BMW Chairman Harald Krüger has previously suggested the company will have plenty to say about the model at Auto China. However, BMW has already confirmed the production crossover will be a “Gen 4” battery electric vehicle like the upcoming MINI EV. This suggests the crossover will miss out on the Gen 5 technology that will debut on the 2021 iNext.