BMW's 800V Performance EVs Are Coming to Australia: iX3 M60, i3 M60 and iX4 M60 Explained
BMW's electric mid-sizers are getting the M treatment — and Australia is on the list. According to Drive, high-performance M60 versions of the new-generation iX3, i3 and iX4 will reach Australian showrooms in 2027, bringing M3-beating power to the brand's mainstream electric line-up.
Here's what the three models deliver, what the numbers mean in practice, and the one ownership question buyers of a 108.7 kWh, 400 kW-charging SUV should be asking before they sign.
What's Coming, and When
Three M60 variants are confirmed for Australia in 2027:
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Model
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Body style
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Position
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BMW iX3 M60
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Mid-size electric SUV
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Flagship of iX3 range
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BMW iX4 M60
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Coupé-style electric SUV
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Flagship of iX4 range
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BMW i3 M60
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Electric sedan
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Flagship of i3 range
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These M60 grades serve as the performance flagships until full M versions arrive — with reports pointing to the M3 arriving at the end of 2027, ahead of an electric X3 M by mid-2028. Think of M60 as "M-lite" in the best sense: meaningful hardware upgrades without the full-fat price and aggression of a dedicated M car.
They'll compete against sports EVs from Audi, Genesis and Polestar — a segment that's filling fast as premium brands electrify their performance lines.
Power: 450 kW and 875 Nm
The headline figures are substantial. The M60 package lifts combined output to 450 kW and 875 Nm, up from 345 kW/645 Nm in the existing 50 xDrive variants. The jump comes primarily from a new rear electric motor with a newly developed stator and uprated inverter, delivering more peak and continuous power — the latter being what actually matters on a mountain road or a track session.
Performance numbers:
- 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds (down from 4.9 seconds in the 50 xDrive)
- Top speed 240 km/h (up from 210 km/h), thanks to longer gearing
- Front motor largely carried over from existing models
For context, that acceleration figure puts a family SUV in territory that would have been supercar-exclusive a decade ago — and comfortably ahead of where the petrol M3 sat until recently.
Battery, Range and the 800V Charging Story
All M60 variants share the 108.7 kWh usable battery with cheaper grades, but the performance hardware takes a predictable bite out of efficiency:
- Range: up to 754 km in the iX3 M60, versus 805 km for the iX3 50 xDrive — though the lower figure is measured on smaller alloy wheels and without the M Sport styling that's standard on the M60
- DC charging: up to 400 kW on an 800-volt charger, for a quoted 10–80% in 21 minutes
That 400 kW figure is the practical headline. It places the M60 among the fastest-charging vehicles on Australian roads — on paper, at least. The reality of Australia's public charging network is another matter: the country's fastest public chargers currently top out around 500 kW, and such sites remain scarce outside major corridors.
In other words, the car's capability exceeds what most of the network can deliver today. That gap is closing as networks upgrade, but it's worth understanding before assuming you'll routinely see 400 kW.
Chassis: More Than Straight-Line Speed
BMW hasn't simply bolted in a bigger motor. The M60 SUVs get a genuine chassis package:
- Adaptive dampers (added to the iX3 range from March 2027 production)
- Electronically controlled M Sport rear differential
- Unique spring and damper tuning, additional chassis bracing
- New anti-roll bar links on the front axle for sharper turn-in and reduced body roll
These upgrades are confirmed for the SUVs, with the i3 M60 expected to receive them closer to launch. The combination points to a car engineered for composure at speed rather than just a drag-strip party trick — the traditional BMW differentiator in a segment where straight-line acceleration is becoming commoditised.
Design and Cabin: Subtle M Cues
Visual changes are tasteful rather than shouty:
- Yellow daytime running lights inspired by motorsport
- Three-stripe light elements in the front panel
- M side mirror caps, revised rear spoilers and M badges
Inside, the M60 treatment includes a red 12 o'clock marker on the steering wheel with shortcut buttons for Boost Mode and M Mode, M Sport seats with illuminated headrest logos, and three-stripe M seatbelts. The 17.9-inch touchscreen and 43.3-inch Panoramic Vision display gain M-specific views, including an M Drag Meter for acceleration timing and an M Cockpit telemetry screen.
It's the kind of software-driven theatre that premium EV buyers now expect — and a reminder that in this segment, the digital experience is as much a selling point as the drivetrain.
Pricing and Positioning
Pricing will be confirmed closer to launch, but logic dictates the M60 grades will sit above the existing 50 xDrive models, which are currently listed at:
Expect M60 versions to land somewhere in the 120,000–140,000 range, positioning them against fully loaded German rivals and the upper end of Chinese premium offerings. That's genuine luxury-SUV money — and it puts a premium on the ownership experience beyond the badge.
The Ownership Question Nobody Asks at the Dealership
Here's the practical consideration for anyone buying a 108.7 kWh EV with 400 kW charging capability: how will you charge it day to day?
Public DC fast charging at 400 kW is impressive, but it's also the most expensive way to run an EV and the least convenient for routine use. The overwhelming majority of charging sessions — for this car or any other — happen at home or at work, on AC power. With a battery this large, that means:
- A standard household socket is effectively useless for overnight recharging (it would take days)
- A dedicated Level 2 AC setup is essential — 7 kW adds roughly 40 km of range per hour, 11 kW closer to 65 km
- Australian households with three-phase power have a significant advantage here
Charging standards also matter: Australian EVs use Type 2 connectors, unlike the NACS standard spreading across North America or GB/T in China — a distinction that trips up buyers importing vehicles or travelling abroad, as we covered in our guide to Chinese EV charging adapters in the UAE. And as the industry continues consolidating around regional standards — a shift we examined in whether adapters are still needed as NACS rolls out — buying certified equipment for your own market remains the safest approach.
The Bottom Line
The iX3 M60, iX4 M60 and i3 M60 bring together the two things BMW does best — chassis engineering and powertrain ambition — in packages that don't ask buyers to sacrifice practicality. At 450 kW and 3.9 seconds, they're fast enough to embarrass dedicated sports cars, and at 754 km of range they're usable as everyday family vehicles. The 2027 Australian arrival gives the brand a serious answer to Audi, Genesis and Polestar in the performance EV segment — and a clear bridge to the full M models coming in 2027–2028.
FAQ
When are the BMW iX3 M60 and i3 M60 coming to Australia?
Both are due in Australian showrooms in 2027, alongside the iX4 M60. Full M versions follow: the electric M3 is expected at the end of 2027, with an electric X3 M by mid-2028.
How much power does the BMW iX3 M60 have?
450 kW and 875 Nm combined, up from 345 kW/645 Nm in the 50 xDrive, enabling 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and a 240 km/h top speed.
What is the range of the BMW iX3 M60?
Up to 754 km, using the same 108.7 kWh usable battery as other grades — slightly less than the 50 xDrive's 805 km due to performance tyres, wheels and M Sport aero.
How fast does the BMW iX3 M60 charge?
Up to 400 kW on an 800V DC charger, delivering a 10–80% charge in a quoted 21 minutes. Australian public chargers currently max out around 500 kW, with such sites still limited.
