Later this year, the new BMW iX will go on sale in Ireland. It's the company's technology range-topper, debuting its latest infotainment, connectivity, driver assistance and electric propulsion offerings, along with a keen focus on sustainability. A few more details have been released on the big electric SUV, including the initial line-up.
BMW iX with xDrive
Two powertrain options will be initially made available in the iX. Both get all-wheel drive courtesy of an electric motor on each axle. The entry-level iX xDrive40's motors make up to 326hp (240kW), propelling the iX to 100km/h from rest in "a touch over' six seconds, while the xDrive50 model gets 503hp (370kW) and a 0-100km/h time of "less than" five seconds. The top speeds of both are limited to 200km/h.
Perhaps of more importance are the battery packs, mounted between the axles. The xDrive40 variant has a 70kWh unit (gross), allowing a WLTP-ratified range of just over 400 kilometres. BMW quotes an energy consumption figure of 20kWh per 100km for this model and it can be recharged at up to 150kW. At that rate, 10 minutes of charging adds about 90km of extra range.
Meanwhile, the iX xDrive50 packs a 100kWh battery pack. That's good for over 600km, with an energy consumption rating of 21kWh per 100km. It can be recharged at up to 200kW on a DC fast charger, meaning up to 120km of range added per 10 minutes charging.
The battery is covered by an eight-year/160,000km warranty.
More than just zero emissions
BMW is at pains to point out that its iX is more than just a big SUV with zero tailpipe emissions. It uses no 'rare earths' in its electric motors for a start, while its lithium and cobalt comes from 'monitored, transparent and sustainable extraction' in Australia and Morocco. 'Secondary' aluminium and recycled plastic (the floor coverings and mats are made from recovered fishing nets) are also used, as is FSC-certified wood.
New iDrive system and switchgear
Speaking of wood, if the 'Clear & Bold' specification is chosen, the centre console control panel is made of open-pore walnut, with backlit buttons within it that light up only when the car is turned on. That's just one example of what BMW has termed 'shy tech'. Others include hidden speakers, particularly stylish air vents, heated surfaces and the projector for the head-up display integrated into the back of the instruments.
Those are worth a closer look, as they're housed behind the 'BMW Curved Display', a stylishly minimal unit that incorporates the digital instrumentation and the central touchscreen behind one curved piece of glass. It will host the debut of the next generation of BMW's own operating system and hides serious computing and connectivity power.
Irish pricing of BMW iX
BMW Ireland has confirmed that the iX xDrive40 will start at €80,815 including the SEAI grant. That puts it on a roughly equal footing with the plug-in hybrid BMW X5 xDrive45e, and significantly cheaper than the entry-level diesel X5.