Canadian Dealer Breaks Record: Drives 1,011 km on a Single Charge

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A remarkable achievement was recorded by a driver who successfully covered a distance of 1,011 km in a 2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive from Niagara Falls to just beyond Québec City, consuming only 10.8 kWh/100 km.

A remarkable feat was accomplished by a BMW dealership in Ontario, covering an impressive distance of 1,011 km (628 miles) on a single charge in a 2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive. Geoff Hills from Performance BMW in St. Catharines undertook this journey from Niagara Falls to just beyond Québec City in under 15 hours.

The vehicle used for this challenge was the dealership’s launch unit of the NA5 iX3. Hills and the team at Performance BMW were inspired by BMW’s own 1,000 km drive and decided to replicate it once their first car arrived. They surpassed BMW’s run from Hungary to Munich by 3.3 km, despite using larger wheels and having a single driver throughout the journey.

Achieving 1,011 km on a Single Charge

The impressive achievement of covering 1,011 km on a single charge was attained through a hypermiling run, with the iX3 maintained in Max Range mode throughout the journey, devoid of climate control, with closed windows and radio off. This was described as a deliberate max range test, not reflective of typical usage.

One challenge faced during the journey was the use of 21-inch wheels on Performance BMW’s iX3, while BMW’s engineers utilized 20-inch wheels for their drive. This difference impacted the range, with EPA figures showing variations based on wheel sizes.

Over nearly 15 hours, the iX3 achieved an energy consumption of 10.8 kWh/100 km, equating to approximately 5.8 miles per kWh. Maintaining an average speed of around 68 km/h (42 mph), this journey required patience and careful energy management. In comparison, BMW China’s long-wheelbase iX3 achieved an average of 12.6 kWh/100 km during an 805 km loop.

Hills was the sole driver of the iX3, accompanied by a chase car and a videographer, without any driver changes. Enduring 15 hours in a cabin without heating, air conditioning, or entertainment posed a unique endurance challenge.

Comparison to BMW’s 1,000 km Achievements

BMW’s European drive from Debrecen to Munich covered 1,007.7 km, with 2% charge remaining, surpassing previous records for the longest single-charge drive by a BMW SAV. In contrast, BMW China’s drive with the iX3 50L xDrive achieved a remarkable 1,030.2 km with 5% charge remaining.

Expected Range for iX3 Owners in Canada

The 2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive in Canada is certified by Natural Resources Canada for a range of up to 698 km on the EPA test cycle, with pricing starting at $75,900 CAD. Real-world factors such as speed, temperature, terrain, and cabin heating may impact actual range, making the achievement of 1,011 km an exceptional case rather than a standard expectation for iX3 owners.