BMW was one of the first firms to produce mass-market electric cars with its i3, and while that model served as a trailblazer, the German firm is now following it up with a range of new battery-powered models.
These include the iX3 and i4, but heading up the range will be the iX – the production version of the brand’s heavily-teased iNEXT concept car. Set to spearhead the firm’s electric range, it’s expected to make significant waves once it arrives in the UK at the end of the year. Here’s what you need to know about it…
Based on BMW’s latest architecture
With the iX set to not just act as BMW’s EV flagship, but also spearhead the brand’s technological innovations, the firm is making sure it’s as advanced as possible.
As well as sitting on a new architecture designed specifically for EVs, the iX also uses the firm’s latest generation of ‘eDrive’ technology – another word for describing the powertrain. Developed by BMW, no ‘rare earths’ are said to be used, with BMW promising around 500bhp and a large 100kWh battery that’s expected to allow for an impressive 373 miles of electric range.
Impressive rapid charging capability
That long electric range isn’t the only reason it has long-distance flexibility, but also the model’s impressive rapid charging capability.
With the model enabling DC charging up to 200kW, BMW says a 10 to 80 per cent charge with the quickest plug-in points could take under 40 minutes. When a quick burst of range is needed, 75 miles can be added after just 10 minutes of being plugged in.
Packed with technology
The technology doesn’t end there, though, with the new EV platform said to allow for significant progress to be made when it comes to digital services and automated driving.
While BMW hasn’t gone into full detail about the latter, the iX is set to be able to have greater self-driving capability than most new cars on sale today, though these functions can only be used at the moment if the driver is paying full attention, too. The model is also said to be 5G capable, which allows for enhanced connected functions thanks to the huge processing power underpinning the car.
Bold new design
Possibly the boldest thing about the iX, though, is the design, which is one of the firm’s more controversial in recent years. There’s a huge new grille, though unlike the firm’s petrol and diesel models, it’s blanked off and can hide all the sensors and radars used for the autonomous driving capability.
BMW has aimed to make the iX look as ‘smooth’ as possible, too, including its flush-fitted door handles, frameless windows and a tailgate that has no separation joints.
It has a ‘lounge-like’ interior
With the iX being BMW’s largest electric SUV – it’s a similar size to the X5 in terms of footprint – the firm has tried to make it as practical as possible, with no transmission tunnel and a light, airy cabin aiming to add to the feeling of roominess.
The German carmaker goes as far as to say it has a ‘lounge-like’ ambiance, with certain aspects of the iX sculpted in a similar way to furniture, including speakers that are out of sight and heated surfaces to add to the ‘homely’ feel of the cabin.
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