BMW iX
The BMW iX is an electric sport utility vehicle manufactured and marketed by the German automobile manufacturer BMW. It was unveiled in concept form named Vision iNext at the 2018 Paris Motor Show,[2] and then as fully production-ready in November 2020.[3] The iX is the first purpose-built electric vehicle by BMW since the i3 from 2013,[4] and the fourth BMW i sub-brand model.[5] The iX nameplate was chosen to signify the model’s position at the top of the electric i line-up and its role in showcasing technology.[6]
BMW iX (i20) | |
---|---|
BMW iNEXT concept vehicle | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | BMW |
Also called | BMW Vision iNext |
Production | 2021 |
Assembly | Germany: Dingolfing |
Designer | Tianyuan Li[1] |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Mid-size SUV |
Body style | 5-door SUV |
Layout | Dual-motors all-wheel drive (xDrive) |
Platform | Cluster Architecture (CLAR) |
Powertrain | |
Electric motor | 2x Synchronous electric motor |
Transmission | Single-speed with fixed ratio |
Battery | 100 kWh |
Electric range | 600 km (373 miles) WLTP |
Plug-in charging | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,997 mm (118.0 in) |
Specifications
The BMW iX is built around the CLAR version of BMW’s fifth-generation electric drivetrain architecture and an aluminum spaceframe.[7] The electric platform is a "totally new development", though it is "highly compatible" with the modular CLAR platform. This shared chassis componentry allows BMW to produce the iX alongside combustion engines at the Dingolfing plant.[6]
The body is made out of a combination of high-strength steel, aluminium, thermoplastics and carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) to keep weight as low as possible.[8] The front features a similar kidney grille to the G22 4 Series, which contains camera, radar and other sensors.[7] The iX resembles the G05 X5 in length and width, but with the roof height of an G06 X6 and the wheel size of an X7.[9] It has a 0.25 drag coefficient that adds around 40 miles of range.[7]
It is able to DC fast charge at up to 200 kW, being able to charge from 10% to 80% in 40 minutes or 75 miles of range in 10 minutes.[4] An 11 kW charger will be able to fully charge the battery from empty in around 11 hours.[7]
Equipment
The BMW iX features a new version of BMW’s iDrive that combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen to form a single curved unit. The system comes with an upgraded version of BMW’s personal voice assistant and retains the iDrive controller.[4] It comes standard with a hexagonal steering wheel.[10] Other available options include a head-up display, a Harmon Kardon surround-sound setup with 18 speakers (including four built into headrests) and a pair of subwoofers fitted under the rear seats, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system setup with 30 speakers (including eight built into headrests) and "4D Audio" capability,[8] and M Sport styling.[6]
It is the first luxury car to feature built-in 5G technology that allows it over-the-air functionality. The iX has 20 times the on-board computing power of previous BMW models, allowing it to process double the amount of data coming from cameras and sensors mounted. This will allow for a high level of automated driving capability and an extensive range of driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technology.[8] The grille comes with a self-healing coating that can smooth-out scratches and small chips to make sure that the sensors can always "see" clearly.[4]
BMW hinted at Level 3 autonomous driving when it unveiled the iNext concept. However, any mention of iX’s self-driving capabilities were absent from the official release.[7][9]
Models
Model | Years | Gross capacity | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h (62 mph) | Top speed | Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iX | 2021– | 100 kWh | 370 kW (503 PS; 496 hp) | TBA | 5.0 seconds | TBA | 300 mi (483 km) EPA 373 mi (600 km)WLTP |
References
- Spears, Tim (2020-12-03). "the monolith: rethink design with the exterior of the first-ever BMW iX". designboom. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
- Nile Bijoux (17 September 2018). "Striking BMW iNEXT Concept Revealed". Autocar New Zealand. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- Lambert, Fred (2020-11-11). "BMW unveils iNEXT electric SUV, becomes 'BMW iX' with over 300 miles of range". Electrek. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- "New BMW iX electric SUV revealed: price, specs and release date | carwow". www.carwow.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- Anthony Alaniz (31 August 2020). "BMW iNext Electric SUV Spied Up Close Losing Some Cladding". Motor1.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- "BMW iX is brand's new 500bhp electric flagship". Autocar. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
- Duff, Mike (2020-11-11). "2022 BMW iX Electric Crossover Will Offer 500 HP, 300-Mile Range". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- "BMW iX electric SUV: pictures, specs and release date". DrivingElectric. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
- Hawkins, Andrew J. (2020-11-11). "BMW launches its new flagship iX electric SUV with 300 miles of range". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- Florent Ferrière (22 July 2019). "BMW iNext : nouveau teaser de l'habitacle". Caradisiac.