The 2027 BMW iX3 M60 xDrive has been revealed with 450 kW, 875 Nm and a claimed 0–100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds. BMW’s first Neue Klasse SUV now has an M Performance flagship, bringing a substantial power increase alongside adaptive M suspension, a rear M Sport differential and a more distinctive design.
The headline numbers are strong, but the more interesting story is the balance between performance and everyday EV use. BMW also quotes up to 754 km of WLTP range, a 108.7 kWh usable battery and peak DC charging of 400 kW. Those M60 figures remain provisional. Australian pricing, local specifications and delivery timing are not confirmed in the supplied global announcement.
BMW iX3 M60 xDrive vs iX3 50 xDrive: specs compared
The 50 xDrive makes a useful reference point because it already has the Neue Klasse battery architecture and dual-motor all-wheel drive. Moving to the M60 adds a performance-focused chassis package as well as a stronger drivetrain. It does not increase the maximum quoted range.
Using those announced figures, the M60 gains 105 kW and 230 Nm, while cutting a full second from the 0–100 km/h time. Its range ceiling is 51 km lower. That gives buyers a clear question to work through: is the added chassis hardware and stronger acceleration worth more to them than the 50 xDrive’s longer quoted range? Pricing will be central to that decision.
450kW and 875Nm: what changes in the M60 drivetrain?
BMW fits one motor to each axle, with an upgraded electrically excited synchronous motor at the rear. The rear drive unit uses a new stator and a more powerful inverter, alongside changes to gearing and usable motor speed. BMW quotes a provisional 240 km/h top speed.
The motor changes explain why the M60’s extra pace goes beyond a different badge or software mode. For everyday driving, however, how smoothly that output arrives will matter as much as the maximum figure. We have not driven the M60, so its acceleration and handling remain manufacturer claims at this stage.
BMW identifies the iX3 M60 as an M Performance model. Its announced standard chassis equipment includes adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, variable-ratio sport steering, an electronically controlled rear M Sport differential and M Sport brakes. BMW also describes revised chassis tuning and additional front-end bracing.
Those changes are relevant when comparing it with the 50 xDrive. The strongest reason to choose a performance SUV is often the way it responds repeatedly through a sequence of corners, rather than one full-throttle launch. Body control, steering feel and the balance between comfort and grip are the points a road test will need to establish.
Heart of Joy and the M-specific driving modes
BMW’s Heart of Joy computer works with M Dynamic Performance Control to coordinate the drivetrain and driving dynamics. The steering wheel provides access to Boost Mode and M Mode, while the M Sport and M Sport Plus settings change the responses of the drivetrain, chassis and steering.
There is also an everyday side to the technology. BMW’s Soft Stop function is intended to make the final moments of braking smoother through energy recuperation. A quick SUV still spends most of its life dealing with junctions, parking and traffic, so the quality of those low-speed transitions will help determine how easy it is to live with.
BMW iX3 M60 range, battery and 400kW charging
The M60 uses BMW’s Gen6 electric-drive technology with cylindrical battery cells and an 800V architecture. Its usable battery capacity is quoted at 108.7 kWh, with maximum WLTP range of up to 754 km and combined consumption of 17.6–20.5 kWh/100 km. BMW labels these figures provisional.
Peak DC charging is quoted at 400 kW. The announcement also includes AC Charging Professional with a maximum AC rate of 22 kW as standard in the described specification. Achieving that AC rate requires a suitable supply and charging installation; a vehicle’s maximum rating does not establish what every home can deliver.
For long-distance travel, the useful questions are how long the battery sustains high charging power and how the car prepares it before a stop. Temperature, state of charge and the charger itself affect the result. The M60 press release does not provide a 10–80% DC charging time, so the 50 xDrive’s published 21-minute figure should not simply be copied across.
Bidirectional charging functionality is part of the Gen6 announcement. Australian buyers should wait for local confirmation of supported applications, hardware and services before planning around a particular use. Likewise, 754 km is a maximum laboratory figure; motorway speed, weather and cabin heating or cooling can change actual distance between stops.
M Yellow Lights and a more assertive exterior
The M60’s most recognisable design detail is its yellow front lighting. BMW says the M Yellow Lights can be used with the low-beam headlights, depending on the market. The design also brings illuminated M-inspired elements near the grille, M mirror caps and an M-specific roof spoiler with two aeroblades.
The announced package includes 21-inch M wheels, with options extending to 22 inches. Larger wheels can be visually appealing, but tyre choice, replacement cost and ride quality belong in the same decision. The best-looking configuration in a press photo will not automatically be the most comfortable one on your daily route.
BMW lists the iX3 M60 at 4,782 mm long, 1,895 mm wide and 1,635 mm tall, with a 2,897 mm wheelbase. Those figures help put the SUV’s footprint in context, but passenger comfort and loading convenience still need an in-person assessment. The supplied M60 release does not give a luggage-volume figure.
Interior: Panoramic iDrive, M Sport seats and Dolby Atmos
BMW Panoramic iDrive with Operating System X combines Panoramic Vision, a 17.9-inch central touchscreen and the M Sport steering wheel. The BMW 3D Head-Up Display is optional in the announcement. That distinction matters when comparing equipment lists: the broader system description does not make every display standard.
The M Sport seats include ten-way electric adjustment and a massage function. Their integral head restraints carry illuminated M logos. BMW also specifies a 13-speaker, 430-watt Harman Kardon audio system with Dolby Atmos capability.
These details give the M60 a cabin identity beyond its acceleration figures. Seat comfort, intuitive controls and good sound are benefits a driver can appreciate on an ordinary trip. BMW Digital Premium is optional and enables M-specific apps, so those app features should be checked against the eventual local offer rather than assumed to be included.
Driver assistance: SAE Level 2, with market details to confirm
BMW describes SAE Level 2 driver assistance with Symbiotic Drive and a Motorway Assistant capable of hands-free operation at up to 130 km/h in the announced system. Level 2 assistance still requires driver supervision. The global announcement should not be treated as confirmation of Australian availability, permitted roads or local operating conditions.
2027 BMW iX3 M60 release date, pricing and Australia
Orders are due to open at the end of January 2027, while BMW says production in Debrecen, Hungary, begins in the European spring of 2027. An order opening, a production start and customer deliveries are separate milestones; the release does not give an Australian delivery date.
Australian pricing and final local specifications for the BMW iX3 M60 xDrive are not announced in the supplied global press release. The local price premium over the 50 xDrive will be especially important because both models share the same quoted usable battery capacity and peak DC charging rating.
Our reading of the announced figures is that the M60’s case rests on its stronger drivetrain, chassis hardware and cabin equipment. The 50 xDrive remains a useful choice to consider for buyers who place greater weight on maximum quoted range. Until local pricing and a road test arrive, this is a comparison of what BMW has announced rather than a verdict on value or driving quality.
For more Neue Klasse coverage, read our 2027 BMW iX4 range, charging and M60 comparison, revisit the original BMW iX3 Neue Klasse reveal, or browse TechDrivePlay’s Drive coverage.
BMW iX3 M60 xDrive FAQs
How powerful is the 2027 BMW iX3 M60 xDrive?
BMW quotes a provisional 450 kW, 612 hp and 875 Nm from two electric motors, with all-wheel drive.
What is the BMW iX3 M60’s 0–100 km/h time?
The claimed time is 3.9 seconds. BMW labels the performance figures provisional.
How far can the BMW iX3 M60 travel on a charge?
BMW quotes up to 754 km in the WLTP cycle. This figure is provisional, and real-world range depends on configuration and driving conditions.
How fast does the BMW iX3 M60 charge?
BMW quotes up to 400 kW DC and 22 kW AC, with up to 340 km of added test-cycle range in ten minutes under specified conditions. These figures are provisional.
When will the BMW iX3 M60 be available in Australia?
The global release says orders open at the end of January 2027 and European production begins in spring 2027. It does not confirm an Australian delivery date or price.
Sources and photography: BMW Group: The new BMW iX3 M60 xDrive, released 8 October 2026. The 50 xDrive benchmark comes from BMW’s original global iX3 announcement of 5 September 2025. All eight photographs are official BMW Group press images from the M60 gallery. This is reveal coverage, not a road test. M60 numerical claims remain provisional, with binding WLTP values not yet available; equipment and availability may vary by market.
Elijah Cowling is a Melbourne-based technology and automotive journalist, reviewer and content creator at TechDrivePlay. A lifelong fan of cars, gaming and technology, he brings an enthusiast’s perspective to hands-on reviews, features and video content.
