After confirming the arrival of the sedans Bmw i4 and i4 M50i 2022, the manufacturer is now launching the iX, its first SUV to no longer depend on a heat engine. This vehicle will arrive in dealerships across the country early next year at a starting price of $ 89,990. Here are all the details about it.
At the time of its arrival on the market, the iX, whose design is certainly not unanimous with its cubic appearance and its enormous renal grille, will be offered in only one variation, namely the iX xDrive50.
This midsize SUV, which will be roughly the same size as the current BMW X5, will be based on the same architecture as the i4, but will be powered by a higher capacity battery of 106.3 usable kilowatt hours ( 111.5 gross kilowatt-hours).
It will only be offered in 4-wheel drive thanks to two electric motors placed on the front and rear axles. Total combined power comes in at 516 horsepower, and torque at 564 pound-feet, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km / hour in 4.6 seconds. The range is estimated, like the i4, at 475 kilometers, according to EPA projections.
An internal charger with a power of 200 kilowatts (depending on a compatible terminal) will allow the iX to give itself up to 150 kilometers of range in just ten minutes, and to refuel from 10 at 80% of its charge in 30 minutes. A heat pump will also be offered as standard to precondition the passenger compartment and the battery in cold weather.
BMW, however, made no mention of the towing capacity or cargo space of its upcoming battery-powered SUV. This information will be shared with us in a few weeks, along with other potential variations.
Unsurprisingly, the iX’s dashboard is fully digital and made up of two glued screens, one of 12.3 inches and the other of 14.9 inches.
The iX is also equipped with the next generation iDrive 8 multimedia system which not only allows us to update remotely through a 5G connection and to be fully personalized as we please, but also incorporates an advanced form of intelligence. artificial that the manufacturer calls “Shy Tech”.
This adapts to the preferences of the driver and only intervenes when the user really needs it. This system can also be operated using voice commands.
However, BMW seems to have left its central dial intact, which has long allowed its multimedia systems to stand out from the competition in terms of ergonomics. Hopefully, however, this new technology will be just as user-friendly as what the manufacturer currently offers.
RPM’s opinion
I admit that the design of the iX is striking and has absolutely nothing in common with the current BMW SUVs, but the technical characteristics of this new electric SUV, which will come to play directly in the beds of the Tesla Model X and Audi e-tron, are convincing. Although its range is less than that of its competitor Tesla, this BMW greatly surpasses its main German rival in this regard.
It is also an SUV whose interior presentation is much better than what Tesla offers in this niche. I imagine that we can also expect the exemplary build quality of the manufacturer.
However, the iX is not cheap, it will only be reserved for a small percentage of the population. He will also not be eligible for discounts for the purchase of an electric vehicle. However, it will be interesting to see if consumers prefer it to the Tesla, because on the Audi side, the e-tron does not show remarkable sales.
It is nevertheless a serious product with convincing range figures, which could allow BMW to capture a significant share of the luxury electric vehicle market with this model.
