BMW is wasting little time turning up the heat on its new Neue Klasse EV lineup. The 2027 BMW iX3 M60 xDrive arrives as the most performance-focused version of the electric SUV so far, bringing 603 horsepower, 645 lb-ft of torque and standard all-wheel drive. It is not a full-fledged M model, but with enough power to reach 62 mph in a claimed 3.9 seconds, the iX3 M60 is clearly meant to offer more than just a sportier badge and a few cosmetic upgrades.

The extra performance comes primarily from an upgraded rear electric motor. BMW has fitted the M60 with a newly developed stator, a more powerful inverter and a higher usable rotor speed, all of which help push output well beyond the 463 horsepower and 476 lb-ft available in the iX3 50 xDrive. The result is a 140-horsepower jump, while the top speed climbs from 130 mph to 149 mph. That should make the M60 feel substantially more urgent than the standard iX3, especially when calling on all of its power from a stop or during highway passing.

BMW has also made sure the chassis can keep up with the additional power. Adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering, upgraded M Sport brakes and an electronically controlled M Sport rear differential are all part of the package. Those systems work alongside BMW’s new Heart of Joy control unit, which manages the powertrain, braking, steering and regenerative braking functions through a centralized processor. BMW says the system reacts considerably faster than its previous-generation electronic controls, with the goal of making the SUV feel more natural and precise even as the underlying technology becomes more complex.

Battery and charging hardware remain among the iX3’s biggest strengths. The M60 uses a 112.2-kWh usable battery along with BMW’s 800-volt electrical architecture, allowing DC fast charging at up to 400 kW. BMW has not yet released an EPA range figure for the M60, but the regular iX3 50 xDrive can achieve as much as 434 miles depending on wheel and tire configuration. The M60 comes standard with 21-inch wheels, with 22-inch wheels available, so its eventual EPA figure should land below the longest-range versions of the iX3 50. Still, the combination of a large battery and extremely fast peak charging should make it a capable long-distance EV.

Visually, BMW has resisted turning the M60 into something dramatically different from the rest of the iX3 lineup. Instead, it gets M-specific aerodynamic details, a unique roof spoiler, distinctive lighting signatures and BMW’s illuminated exterior treatment. Buyers will also be able to choose yellow lighting elements inspired by BMW motorsports. Standard 21-inch M wheels help give the SUV a more purposeful stance, but the overall design remains unmistakably Neue Klasse, with cleaner surfaces and a more restrained interpretation of BMW’s familiar kidney grille.

The cabin continues the same futuristic theme introduced with the latest iX3. BMW’s Panoramic iDrive system stretches key information across the lower portion of the windshield, while a 17.9-inch central touchscreen handles most infotainment functions. An optional 3D head-up display adds another layer of information for the driver. The M60 also gets sportier front seats, an M steering wheel with dedicated Boost and configurable driving-mode controls, and M-specific interior trim. A 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with Dolby Atmos support comes standard, giving the cabin plenty of premium touches to go along with the performance upgrades.

BMW says ordering for the 2027 iX3 M60 xDrive will open in late January 2027, with production scheduled to begin in the spring at the company’s Debrecen, Hungary plant. Pricing has not yet been announced. The iX3 50 xDrive currently starts at $62,850 including destination, so it would not be surprising to see the M60 push well beyond $70,000 once pricing and options are finalized. With 603 horsepower, sub-four-second acceleration and the latest version of BMW’s EV technology, the iX3 M60 looks ready to give performance-minded luxury EV buyers a much more interesting reason to plug in.