BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase travels over 800 km without recharge in real-world test
A BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase prototype completed a demanding 800+ km loop around Qinghai Lake on a single charge, ending with 2% battery remaining and an average consumption of 12.6 kWh/100 km.
- more than 800 km
- 12.6 kWh/100 km
- 108.7 kWh
What Happened
Conducted on public roads in China, the challenge started in Xining at 2,200 meters elevation, climbed to nearly 4,000 meters, and returned. The vehicle faced heavy snow, rain, strong sunshine, and temperatures from 1°C to 21°C, demonstrating robust thermal management and energy efficiency.
12.6kWh/100 km
Achieved over more than 800 km of mixed-altitude driving.
- Optimized aerodynamics
- BMW Energy Master for intelligent energy distribution
- Sixth-generation high-voltage battery with 108.7 kWh usable energy
- New drivetrain with electrically excited synchronous and asynchronous motors
- Heart of Joy control system enabling energy recovery in 98% of braking situations
The integrated thermal management system maintained stable battery and cabin conditions, while the vehicle used Efficient mode to reflect realistic long-distance driving. BMW emphasizes that the result is a holistic system achievement, not a single technology.
Why this matters
The test shows that BMW's Neue Klasse electric platform can deliver real-world range exceeding 800 km, helping ease range anxiety for potential EV buyers.
Terms in This Story
- Neue Klasse
- BMW's next-generation electric vehicle architecture focused on efficiency and digitalization.
- Energy Master
- A software control unit that manages energy distribution based on route, temperature, and driving conditions.
- Heart of Joy
- A control system that integrates energy recuperation and drivetrain management for maximum efficiency.
- Efficient mode
- A driving mode that balances comfort and energy economy for longer range.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.