BMW iX3 design changes detailed on Technipedia

The BMW iX3 brings sweeping design changes that will impact the way the vehicle will be repaired, according to documents uploaded to the BMW Technipedia page. 

These changes include, but are not limited to, body design, material used, wiring, and ADAS features. 

The design is characterized as having a number of technical innovations, according to the documents. They say a new body concept offers a level of accident safety that ensures protection. 

“The bodyshell consists predominantly of various steel grades,” the document says. “The biggest change is the ‘pack-to-open-body’ concept, which makes it possible to omit the floorplan.”  

The pack-to-open body allows for the high-voltage battery unit to be integrated into the open body without a floor assembly. 

“This makes it possible to significantly increase the usable passenger area,” the documents say. “The high-voltage battery unit is bolted to the cross members using numerous bolts and is also adhesively bonded. To ensure stability, cross members made of ultra-high-strength, hot-formed steel are used. These support the seat cross members. This results in a functional unit of battery and body, which ensures that all loads are diverted via the body load paths. The high-voltage battery unit has no load-bearing effect.” 

Materials used in the body include “other steel grades,” bake-hardening steel, low-alloy steel, dual-phase steel, ultra high-strength hot-formed steel, and some aluminium. 

The majority of the outer skin parts of the body are made of various steel grades. The only panel using aluminum is the hood. 

“This permits good repair properties for the outer skin,” the document says. 

The NA5 vehicle class is the first to replace the vehicle electrical system since 2020, according to the documents. 

A zoned architecture approach will be used to integrate platforms. Zone integration modules bundle computing capacity for functions and enable a more powerful generation of control units, the document says. 

The zonal wiring is 30% lighter and reduces cabling by 600m. Conventional fuses will also be replaced with 12C fuses, reducing weight. 

A revamped coolant and refrigerant circuit, including heat pump function, will increase efficiency, the document says. It says that for this reason, a new refrigerant module and a coolant distributor are used for the first time. 

Driving interface components will also differ from the G45. 

“In addition to new hardware components for display and operation, a new BMW Operating System, the BMW Operating System X, is being introduced. The BMW Operating System X is characterized by the fact that it creates a feeling of clarity with modern appearance and at the same time dispenses with too many levels. The result is a clear and reduced cockpit design.” 

BMW has advertised that the cockpit will include Panoramic Vision, which will project key content directly on the lower section of the windshield. 

The main control for ADAS sensors will be located in the Integration Platform Assistance (IPA) system. Special features include the interior camera on the interior mirror and the front radar sensor in the left headlight. 

Driver assistance features include:

• • Emergency steering intervention
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane change warning
  • Side collision warning
  • Avoidance assistance
  • Front collision warning with brake intervention
  • Collision warning
  • Rear-end collision warning, 
  • Attentiveness assistance with emergency stop
  • Cruise Control with brake function
  • Speed limit device 
  • Road sign detection with traffic light detection
  • Road sign detection
  • Manual speed limit assist 

Optional equipment that could be available in some countries includes: 

• • Distance control 
  • Steering and lane control assistant basic 
  • Automatic speed limit assist 
  • Road layout control. 

Some features will be optional for a time limit in some countries. After the time period, vehicle owners will have to pay a subscription through the BMW Connected Drive Upgrades, according to the documents. 

Images

Feature photo of BMW iX3 courtesy of BMW.