BMW is scaling up its electric car plans at a rather rapid rate.
It’s recently announced that it has delivered more than a million electric and hybrid models, and with a growing line-up of EVs coming to market, that figure is only set to increase. Its latest new electric model is the iX – a hugely important SUV that heads up BMW’s electric car line-up.
With a radical new design inside and out, new electric powertrains and a vast array of technology, it really showcases what’s to come from BMW. Here’s what you need to know about the iX.
What powertrains are available?
BMW is set to introduce a more powerful ‘M’ version of the iX in the future, but for the time being there are just two powertrains available – the xDrive40 and xDrive 50, both of which offer four-wheel-drive.
Let’s begin with the xDrive40, which features an electric motor producing 322bhp and 530Nm of torque, which allows this SUV to accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 124mph. It uses a 71kWh battery too, which allows for a claimed electric range of 257 miles.
The flagship xDrive50, meanwhile, gets a huge uplift in both power and range. Its electric motors serve up a significant 516bhp and 765Nm of torque, which allows for a 0-60mph time of just 4.4 seconds. Its huge 105kWh battery also means the iX can travel for up to a claimed 380 miles on a single charge – one of the longest ranges of any EV on the market today.
The iX can also charge at up to 195kW (150kW on the ‘40’ model, which means that a rapid charge taking the battery from 10 to 80 per cent can take as little as 30 minutes.
What trim levels are offered?
BMW offers two trim options on the iX – Sport and M Sport. Equipment highlights and prices are as follows.
Sport – from £69,905
As BMW’s electric flagship, it’s no surprise that the standard kit is particularly generous. Features include 21-inch alloy wheels, four-zone climate control, heated front seats, a range of safety kit and advanced LED Lighting. You also get a 14.9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display and Harman Kardon sound system.
M Sport – from £72,905
Upgrade to the M Sport and you get a different style of 21-inch alloy wheel and an Aerodynamics M Sport bodykit, including a sportier front, side, rear and diffuser. It also receives performance brakes, an Anthracite roof lining and privacy glass.
What about personalisation?
The iX is available with a good range of colours, including shades like Phytonic Blue, Storm Bay (a very smart dark grey) and Aventurine Red. There are various alloy wheel designs available too, depending on trim level.
Inside, customers can choose from a range of upholstery, with shades like dark brown and a tan-like colour that BMW calls Castanea.
A huge range of option packs are also available, such as the Visibility Pack that adds laserlight headlights and a Comfort Plus Pack, which brings massaging front seats and soft-closing doors.
More usual options include the choice of Titan Bronze exterior trim and a ‘Clear&Bold Interior Application’, which includes switches made from real crystal glass and an open-pore wood centre console.
Enquire on a new BMW iX