Kiwis’ first chance to try out Neue Klasse comes with tasty 50 xDrive variant.

AVAILABILITY of the first car promoting the Neue Klass electric architecture vital to BMW’s future will start soon, landing with a price tag just a ‘decent dinner with a drink’ short of $126,000.

The iX3 electric sports utility is a big step up from the previous electric edition of the brand’s most important product, and also divorces in respect to architecture as well.

Whereas the preceding product was a conversion of the platform used by internal combustion editions of the X3, the new electric adopts its own bespoke underpinning, being the first BMW with 800 volt architecture.

With that, it also brings a huge improvement in range, performance and technology - but at a price.

The first variant here - also the only one mentioned so far, though more are promised - is the iX3 50 xDrive, a performance-themed dual motor that kicks in at $125,900, before various enhancements are entertained.

The previous X3 electric presented for $114,900 and $124,900 when it landed almost five years ago. That car came out of Shenyang, China, and had much less power, much less range and much slower charging than the new choice.

The new is powered by dual electric motors producing 345kW and 645Nm combined, connected to a 108.7kWh battery pack. The old had 210kW and 400Nm and fed off a 80kWh battery.

The driving range for the incoming model in European WLTP testing is claimed to be up to 805 kilometres, a huge feat for any electric car here, bettering the optimal for the old product by 399km.

But regional commentators have already highlighted that the figure is derived from European calculations of base models in a less flamboyant spec.

They are suggesting as high as 793km and as low as 737km might be more probable for the launch car, the latter arriving if the standard 20 inch rims are traded for 22-inch types.

BMW claims a zero to 100kmh acceleration time of 4.9 seconds and a 210kmh top speed.

The old model needed 32 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent at up to 150kW. The new is configured for 400kW DC fast charging - that’s 50kW above the cited ability of the most powerful chargers in commercial use here. BMW says the iX3 50 xDrive will replenish from 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes. Also standard is 22kW AC home charging. A five-hour 30-minute empty to full charge is claimed.

Standard features in the 50 xDrive include 20-inch alloy wheels, the 43.3-inch Panoramic Vision projection, a 17.9-inch touchscreen, head-up display, Harman Kardon premium audio, leather-look trim, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a power tailgate.

The only colour that hasn’t a premium is Alpine White. Seven others carry a $2000 premium, the hero ‘frozen space silver’ is a $6000 add on.

The 21 inch wheels cost $2500; there are two styles of 22s - one for $5300 the other for $7700.

The M Sport Package Pro that adds an brake upgrade, M seat belts, M steering wheel and M Sport seats, plus some minor exterior visual changes, is $3500.

The electric is rated to tow 2000kg but you’re paying $2500 for the hitch, which of course has a European market ball.