The 2027 BMW iX3 M60 xDrive makes 603 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque from its dual-motor powertrain. BMW claims a 3.9-second 0-60 mph time, but the company has a habit of sandbagging these numbers. Expect something closer to 3.5 seconds in the real world.
What separates this from the typical “M Performance” exercise is that BMW didn’t just reflash the ECU and slap on some badges. The M60’s rear electrically excited synchronous motor gets a different stator and a stronger inverter compared to the 50 xDrive, which makes 463 hp. The front asynchronous motor carries over unchanged, and top speed climbs from 130 to 149 mph.
Launching alongside the fastback iX4 M60 xDrive, the iX3 variant shares every mechanical upgrade with its sleeker sibling. The iX4 is a roofline exercise on the iX3 platform, so the parts-sharing is expected. Both sit on BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, which has already impressed in its base configuration.
The chassis work matters more than the power bump. Adaptive suspension dampers replace the passive units found on the 50 xDrive, giving the M60 a wider range between comfort and aggression. A rear electronically controlled differential handles torque distribution.
Variable sport steering pairs with revised anti-roll bar links and extra chassis bracing. M Sport brakes with colored calipers handle the stopping duties.
BMW’s “Heart of Joy” high-performance control computer ties all of it together. The system coordinates powertrain, suspension, steering, and differential inputs with reduced latency. Early impressions of the standard iX3 suggest this controller delivers tighter dynamic cohesion than any previous BMW EV, which sets a promising baseline for the M60.
The iX3 M60 xDrive wears M Sport body styling as standard, including a black diffuser-style lower rear panel and a finned roof spoiler exclusive to this trim. Standard 21-inch wheels fill the arches. The press car wore Malachite Dark Green Metallic from the Individual palette, a color that suits the SUV’s proportions well.
Animated LED lighting around the grille, headlights, and taillights comes standard on the M60, an option on the lesser model. Yellow LED headlight accents are available, a nod to BMW’s endurance racing machines and a visual link to other M-branded road cars. It is a small detail that signals intent without being obnoxious.
The cabin carries over the 50 xDrive’s layout largely unchanged. The 17.9-inch trapezoidal touchscreen dominates the dash, and BMW’s pillar-to-pillar Panoramic Vision display stretches across the windshield base. Options include a 3D head-up display and deeply bolstered sport seats with illuminated M logos.
For years, the knock on electric M Performance models was that they felt like software unlocks with cosmetic garnish. The M60 xDrive’s actual motor hardware changes, adaptive dampers, electronic differential, and reinforced chassis suggest BMW heard that criticism. Whether the driving experience validates the engineering spec sheet is a question the first real-world tests will have to answer.
Pricing has not been announced, and BMW has not confirmed when deliveries will begin. The parallel launch with the iX4 M60 suggests both will arrive within the same window. The Neue Klasse SUV lineup is filling out fast, and the M60 is clearly aimed at buyers who found the 463-hp base model too restrained. There are apparently enough of those people to justify a second powertrain this early in the platform’s life.
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