The BMW iX3 has gained a new entry-level ‘40’ variant priced at £53,250 – £5505 less than the existing ‘50’ model. 

It trades the 50’s dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain for a single rear-mounted motor with outputs of 316bhp and 369lb ft, giving a 0-62mph time of 5.9sec.

Its battery has also been downsized, from 113.4kWh (usable) in the 50 to 82.6kWh. That reduces its range from 500 miles to 395.

It can be recharged at up to 300kW, giving a 10-80% refill time of 21min.

Deliveries of the iX3 40 start this summer.

The new powertrain is also expected to feature in the new BMW i3 saloon, which shares its underpinnings with the iX3. The i3 will be offered exclusively in four-wheel-drive 50 form for the first few months after its launch, before gaining additional options. 

In the i3, the 40 powertrain is likely to provide more than 400 miles of range, given it is significantly more aerodynamically efficient. For reference, it officially delivers 559 miles in 50 trim, compared with the iX3 50’s 500 miles.