BMW iX confirmed for late 2021 as xDrive 40, xDrive 50
BMW has confirmed it will initially offer two versions of its upcoming iX electric car – the xDrive 40 and xDrive 50.
Despite reports the iX may have been delayed globally, BMW Australia says it is on track to begin selling the all-electric iX large SUV in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The iX is the bigger brother to the BMW iX3; whereas the iX is designed from the ground-up as an EV, the iX3 utilises the basic design of the BMW X3.
However, while the iX is similar in size to a BMW X5, it will not offer seven seats like that car, instead being limited to five.
Either way, BMW is expecting a big sales boost from the iX3 and iX.
While BMW hasn’t announced iX pricing yet, the xDrive 40 will be the most affordable and is likely to start at around $130K.
The iX xDrive 40 will use two electric motors – one front and one rear – to make a combined 240kW and accelerate to 100km/h in six seconds.
BMW says the EV range will be more than 400km when measured on the WLTP cycle. The xDrive 40 gets a 70kWh battery pack, however that is the gross capacity; the capacity utilised in everyday driving will be less than that.
Fast DC charging can be done at up to 150kW and a 10-minute charge adds 90km of range.
The iX xDrive 50 will clearly be more expensive, likely closer to $160K.
It gets more powerful electric motors to make a combined 370kW, enough to complete the 0-100km/h sprint in five seconds, making it an obvious rival to the Mercedes-Benz EQC and Audi e-Tron 55 Quattro. Its range also stretches past 600km WLTP thanks to a 100kWh battery (gross capacity). Fast DC charging can be done at up to 200kW and a 10-minute charge adds 120km of range.
As previously announced, the in-house developed electric motors do not use rare earth metals, instead replacing permanent magnets with an electric current.
BMW says that also makes the e-motors more responsive and able to produce their peak torque more swiftly, in turn boosting performance.
“The defining trait of the driving experience of the BMW iX is power delivery that is not only lightning fast but also unusually consistent, underscoring the car’s brand-typical sporting excellence,” BMW said in announcing the two-model iX strategy for Australia.
Technology will be a major focus for the iX, although BMW design chief Andain van Hoydonk says it doesn’t come at the expense of usability and functionality, claiming the controls are “clear and uncomplicated”.
It will also be the first BMW with the new iDrive operating system, which will incorporate adjustable sounds and act as an onboard digital assistant.
“We are setting new industry standards with the technology in the BMW iX,” said BMW board member in charge of development, Frank Weber in announcing the iX last year.
“The iX has more computing power for data processing and more powerful sensor technology than the newest vehicles in our current line-up, is 5G-capable, will be given new and improved automated driving and parking functions and uses the high-performing fifth generation of our electric drive system.”
Elsewhere, the iX promises to ramp up BMW’s sustainability push. BMW says the iX will have FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) wood, leather that is coloured with olive leaf extracts and a “high proportion of natural and recycled materials”, including floor coverings made partially from recycled fishing nets.
