Updated BMW iX goes 426 miles per charge, gets 650bhp ... but the design still divides
It still has a face for radio
BMW has revealed a raft of updates for the posh iX electric SUV as part of its mid-life update.
While there are some changes to the controversial exterior design, as well as upgrades to the interior technology and handling dynamics, the big news is a significant upgrade across the board for the big SUV’s electric drivetrain, resulting in better efficiency, more performance and longer ranges between charging.
Increased power, range and charging speeds
Thanks to further development of the iX’s electric drive system, BMW can claim that the new one is up to eight per cent more efficient, with a range increase of up to 40 per cent, and yet peak power is also increased with around 25 per cent more performance than the car it replaces (with gains of course varying by version of the model).
Propping up the line-up is the iX xDrive45, featuring new battery cell technology to increase its usable capacity by a significant 30 per cent — to 94.8kWh. On the official efficiency test, that translates to a range of up to 374 miles depending on specification (as always with these advertised figures, expect less in the real world, especially at motorway speeds), while the battery can be charged at up to 175kW using a suitably powerful DC charger, meaning a 10-80 per cent top-up in 34 minutes.
Despite using a larger battery pack — 109.1kWh if you’re asking — the iX xDrive60 only takes a minute longer to achieve the same charge as it can take it in at up to 195kW. It’s the range champion of the line-up with an official figure of up to 426 miles, the highest of any electric BMW to date. The performance-oriented iX M70 only manages up to 366 miles in comparison, despite an almost-identical battery capacity.
All versions of the iX use two electric motors for all-wheel drive. The xDrive45 peaks at 402bhp for a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds; the xDrive60 puts out up to 536bhp to reduce that time to just 4.6 seconds; and the iX M70, developed by BMW’s M sports division, can produce up to 650bhp for 0-62mph in as little as 3.8 seconds.
Only the M70 is allowed a 155mph top speed, presumably so it can strut its stuff on the outside lane of the German autobahnen, while the other models have to make do with a 124mph v-max.
M70 gets all the toys
Unsurprisingly, BMW’s M department specified a higher technical specification for the M70 model, too. As standard it gets adaptive air suspension and electronically controlled dampers, plus what BMW calls “Integral Active Steering”. This means the rear wheels change angle while cornering to enhance both stability at high speeds and manoeuvrability at a slower pace. The system can be fitted to the other versions of the iX… for a price.
As can a sportier look to mimic that of the M70. The introduction of the facelifted iX marks the arrival of M Sport and M Sport Pro trim packages, along with a selection of new paint colours and new designs of alloy wheel.
A set of 23in rims are available for the first time and the body of the iX has also come in for a series of subtle tweaks, some apparently designed to reduce the domination of the front end by the controversial upright grille.
The bad news for some is that it doesn’t look very different from the outgoing divisive design, despite new lighting details — including the option of “Iconic Glow” contour lighting around the grille itself, for those who’d rather draw attention to it than hide it.
Return of a round steering wheel
Inside, there are further updates, though the biggest changes come when one of the M Sport packages is ordered. These add the expected dark-themed and sporty touches to the cabin, including new sports seats, while the strange hexagonal steering wheel can be replaced by a perfectly round one for the first time in the iX.
A wide range of colour and trim options are also offered for those that want to personalise the car.
Prices for the updated BMW iX start at £74,400, and it’s set to arrive in the UK from May this year.
Related articles
- If you were interested in the new-look BMW iX, you might also like to read our review of the BMW M3 Touring
- Have you seen the next-generation BMW M2?
- Any interest in the pure-electric Audi A6 e-tron?
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