The latest electric vehicles from BMW will give buyers using salary packaging and novated leasing more choice to take advantage of the FBT Exemption which was launched in late 2022.
When BMW announced the three new models, they specifically referred to the Luxury Car tax Limit for fuel efficient vehicles which is the ceiling for employees to benefit from the FBT Exemption on electric and plug-in electric vehicles.
Since the government approved the incentive to encourage take-up of electric vehicles, the level of enquiries for novated leasing has skyrocketed and has only be limited by vehicle supply and choice. And that’s what novated leasing is all about – choice of car as an employee benefit.
All three of the latest fully electric vehicles from BMW will be priced below $89,332, exempting them from both Luxury Car Tax (LCT) for fuel efficient vehicles and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) for fleet operators.
The new line-up begins with the iX1 eDrive20, which made its debut overnight and will become BMW Australia’s new entry point to its fully electric vehicle range at a price of $78,900*. It will arrive in Q1 2024.
Announcement of the iX1 eDrive20 follows the mid-2023 local launch of the iX1 xDrive30, which is priced at $84,900* and hence is also positioned below the tax thresholds.
The second new variant to arrive is the i4 eDrive35, the latest addition to the sporty i4 Gran Coupé line-up that already includes the i4 eDrive40 and i4 M50. It will be priced at $85,900* and be available for customer deliveries at the end of 2023.
The iX3 M Sport represents the third new fully electric variant and will be priced at $89,100* with introduction set for the end of 2023. It will be the new base level of the revised iX3 line-up and offer the same electric powertrain as the range-topping iX3 M Sport Pro with an adjusted equipment offering.
Addition of these new variants means BMW Australia will continue to offer the widest selection of fully electric vehicles in the Australian market.
When the i4 eDrive35 and iX3 M Sport arrive at the end of this year, BMW will have 12 variants across six fully electric models in its line-up.
The new model strategy in place by BMW Australia adds further substance to the BMW Group’s fast moving global future mobility and sustainability goals.
By next year, the BMW Group anticipates that at least one in five of the company’s new vehicles should have a fully electric drivetrain. The following year it should be one in four, and in 2026, one in three.
With this expansion, the BMW Group aims to have more than two million fully electric vehicles on the road by the end of 2025.
The rapid growth in fully electric models is in alignment with strategic sustainability initiatives. By 2030, the BMW Group will halve C02 emissions per vehicle per kilometre driven compared with 2019 levels. Throughout the lifecycle, from the supply chain, through production to the end of the use phase, the company will achieve a 40 per cent reduction in C02 emissions.
Details of the new variants to be introduced by BMW Australia are outlined below.
iX1 eDrive20
Introduction of the second all-electric model variant of the iX1 line-up expands BMW’s offering in the premium compact segment and further opens up locally emissions-free driving to a broader base of customers.
The BMW iX1 eDrive20 is powered by an electric motor with a maximum output of 150kW (with temporary boost) and achieves a range of 430 to 475 kilometres (provisional values according to WLTP).
The highly integrated drive unit on the front axle of the new entry-level model generates an instantaneously available maximum torque of 247Nm in addition to the maximum output of 150kW. The iX1 eDrive20 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, while its top speed is electronically limited to 170km/h.
The high-voltage battery, housed in the vehicle floor to save space, has a usable energy content of 64.7kWh. Its high energy density, together with the efficiency of the e-motor, contributes to the car’s favourable power consumption and delivers outstanding range compared with the competition.
The Combined Charging Unit of the new BMW iX1 eDrive20 facilitates three-phase AC charging with an output of up to 22kW, enabling a charging time of 3:45 hours. The battery can be charged using direct current (DC) with power of up to 130kW, while its state of charge can be increased from 10 to 80 percent within 29 minutes at a fast DC charging station.
The new BMW iX1 eDrive20 offers a comprehensive range of standard equipment, including the new BMW iDrive with “QuickSelect” and the new BMW Operating System 9. This new advanced platform enables a wider range of digital content for information and entertainment while providing faster update cycles for over-the-air functions.
BMW Operating System 9 also paves the way to customise the system to a high degree with additional digital services such as third-party apps and extended navigation services, which are available with the new BMW Digital Premium offering.
The BMW Curved Display is the heart of the control system. It comprises a 10.25-inch Information Display and a Control Display with a screen diagonal of 10.7 inches under a common glass surface curved towards the driver. The latest BMW iDrive generation features a redesigned start screen with “QuickSelect”, offering an improved menu structure that evokes devices from the consumer electronics sector.
Specification highlights of the iX1 eDrive20 are as follows:
- 18” alloy wheels
- 2-zone auto climate control
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Automatic tailgate
- BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant
- BMW Live Cockpit Pro 10.7” & 10.25” curved widescreen display, feat. Operating System 9
- Comfort Access and Digital Key Plus
- DAB Digital radio
- Driving Assistant Plus inc. Active Cruise Control inc. Stop&Go and Blind Spot Monitor
- BMW Head Up Display
- Instrument panel in Sensatec
- M Headliner in Anthracite
- Mirror package, incl. anti-dazzle function
- Parking Assistant Plus incl. Surround view camera, Reversing Assistant and Drive Recorder
- Remote Software Updates
- Roof rails
- Sport leather steering wheel
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring system
- Upholstery, Veganza
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless phone charging
Electric vehicle specific content:
- BMW Iconic Sounds Electric
- 22kW AC onboard charging capability
- 130kW DC onboard charging capability
- Flexible Fast charge cable (Mode 2)
- Public Charging cable (Mode 3)
- 12-month Chargefox Subscription
i4 eDrive35
The new BMW i4 eDrive35 features the renowned fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology that is also aboard every other fully electric BMW model available in Australia.
The power system of the i4 eDrive35 includes a single motor that drives the rear wheels – a classic BMW configuration – and develops 210kW and peak torque of 400Nm. This aids in the new i4 accelerating from zero to 100km/h in only six seconds.
A high level of efficiency complements its impressive performance, with driving range capability of up to 430km on the Combined Driving Test Cycle in accordance with ADR 81/02. The high voltage battery, which has a net capacity of 67kWh, can be charged at up to 11kW via AC, or at 180kW on a high-speed DC charger.
The i4 eDrive35 features a low centre of gravity with weight-minimised body and optimised aerodynamics (Cd of 0.24), which, combined with an exterior design characterised by sporting elegance and a driver-focused cockpit, creates a compelling new proposition in the market.
An extensive array of equipment features is offered as standard on the BMW i4 eDrive35, with highlights listed below:
- 18” alloy wheels
- Tyre repair kit
- LED headlights
- High beam assistant
- Driving Assistant
- Active Cruise Control w Stop&Go
- BMW Iconic Sounds Electric
- Acoustic pedestrian protection
- BMW Live Cockpit Professional
- BMW Head-Up Display
- Parking Assistant
- Accent highlights in Frozen Grey
- Automatic climate control, 3-zone
- Electric seat adjustment, front
- Sport seats, front
- Sensatec upholstery
- Comfort Access system
- Ambient interior lighting
- Galvanic embellishers for controls
- Automatic operation of tailgate
- M headliner Anthracite
- Storage compartment package
- Connected Package Professional
- Wireless Smartphone Integration
- Wireless charging for smartphone
- DAB+ Digital radio tuner
- HiFi Loudspeaker system
- Flexible Fast Charger
- Public charging cable, Mode 3
- 12 month Chargefox subscription
iX3 M Sport
The new iX3 M Sport combines outstanding driving characteristics and a high level of specification at a new price level. Its drive system produces peak power output of 210kW and torque of 400Nm, helping to propel the iX3 M Sport from zero to 100km/h in just 6.8-seconds.
A driving range of up to 461km is possible thanks to its high voltage battery, which has a gross energy content of 80kWh, of which 74kWh is utilised.
The high-voltage battery can be charged at up to 11kW via AC, or at 150kW on a high-speed DC charger.
This means it can be charged from zero to 80 per cent capacity in just 34 minutes. Drivers can add up to 100 kilometres of range to the car after just 10 minutes of charging.
The BMW iX3 M Sport will offer impressive base specification, with prominent features as per the following:
- 19” alloy wheels
- M Sport package
- Metallic paint
- Panorama glass sunroof
- Comfort Access
- Sports seats with leather upholstery
- Driving Assistant Professional
- Adaptive suspension
- Parking Assistant including reversing camera
- Seat heating, front row
2023/24 BMW FBT & LCT exempt fully electric line-up
| Model | Power | Torque | Accel. (sec) | Gross battery capacity (kWh) | Range | Price | Launchtiming |
| iX1 eDrive20 | 150kW | 247Nm | 8.6 | 67 | Up to 475# | $78,900* | Q1, ‘24 |
| iX1 xDrive30 | 230kW | 494Nm | 5.6 | 67 | Up to 400^ | $84,900* | Q2, ‘23 |
| i4 eDrive35 | 210kW | 400Nm | 6.0 | 70 | Up to 430^ | $85,900* | Q4, ‘23 |
| iX3 M Sport | 210kW | 400Nm | 6.8 | 80 | Up to 461^ | $89,100* | Q4, ‘23 |
*Recommended Retail Pricing is shown and includes GST but excludes on-road costs. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing enquiries.
#Provisional values according to WLTP.
^ Range is based upon Combined Driving Test Cycle in accordance with ADR 81/02 on purpose built test vehicles. Actual figures will depend on many factors including traffic conditions, driving habits, prevailing conditions and your vehicle’s equipment, condition and use. These figures should not be expected to be achieved in real world driving conditions and should only be used for comparing one vehicle with another.
