‘Utterly hideous. Can of petrol and a box of matches should sort it.’ If you ever needed confirmation of the general PH consensus around the BMW iX, that comment from the M60 drive pretty much summing up most opinions. It hasn’t gone down tremendously well since its 2021 launch, primarily because of the looks. As an electric SUV, the iX is actually one of the best around, luxurious and soothing and actually reasonably efficient, given everything.
The update of the I20 (yes, that’s the BMW product code) isn’t likely to win over the detractors, though there are some changes that might help it appeal in the face of fresh opposition. The new look is unmistakably iX, even with fresh bumpers, lights and the Iconic Glow grille. The wheel designs (from 21- to 23-inch) are fresh, with options including dark M Shadow line lights - and you thought the days of BMW smoked lenses were done - an M Sport package for all models that ‘emphasises the dynamic character of the vehicle with powerful lines, striking air intakes at the front and vertical reflectors at the rear’ plus an M Sport Package Pro. And whatever a BMW Individual Exterior Line Titanium Bronze is. All of that probably still won’t make for a classically handsome BMW, though it’s an understandable move given how big a deal personalisation is. To that end there are new paints available as well, including Arctic Race Blue, Dune Grey, Tanzanite Blue and some BMW Individual finishes including Frozen Deep Grey.
The interior was arguably the best part of the iX experience first time around, so it hasn’t altered too much. The iDrive is still underpinned by BMW Operating System 8.5, the layout is broadly familiar, and there’s no mention of any additional standard kit bar some new seats. Instead the focus is - you’ve guessed it - on the optionally available stuff, including an M Sport package, the Sky Lounge pano roof, soft-close doors, a Heat Comfort package plus the ‘Clear & Bold interior application’. Again, we’re drawing a blank on that one. But suffice it to say the driving environment of the BMW iX can be made exceptionally lavish if required.
All variants are all-wheel drive, and the previous entry point to the range - an xDrive 40 - has gone. With a smaller battery pack, it lacked both range and performance against the rest of the iXs, so its demise isn’t a surprise. And more can be charged for a faster entry point to the range. So now xDrive45 is the beginning, with two motors, 408hp and a chunky monkey 94.9kWh battery. The previous 40 was 326hp and just 74.1kWh strong, so it’s a big uplift: a second has been taken from the 0-62mph time, for 5.1 seconds. Range has increased significantly as well; for the obvious reason of more battery capacity, but also thanks to a new inverter that improves efficiency ‘and other efficiency enhancing measures for all variants’ that even include weight and friction optimised wheel bearings. The xDrive 45 is rated at 305-374 miles and 2.85mi/kWh, where the old 40 was 251-269 miles.
The range monster is the xDrive60, though, the replacement for the old 50 and with a 108.9kWh whopper under the floor. BMW says anything up to 435 miles is possible, which will probably take you far away from anyone scowling at your car. It’s only marginally less efficient than the 45, too, at 2.83 miles per kilowatt hour, with 544hp in addition. As with the previous xDrive 50, the new 60 looks like being the most popular variant of the xDrive range.
Then there’s the silly one, because a BMW EV line up isn’t complete without a silly one. The M70 xDrive replaces the M60, now with even more power - 659hp against 619hp - to pulverise whichever poor stretch of tarmac it ends up on. With 811lb ft alongside, it’ll reach 62mph in 3.8 seconds, and wallop its way to 155mph (with the other two pegged to 124mph). A 109.1kWh battery - just to be that little bit bigger - provides 324 to 373 miles, with official efficiency rated at 2.64 miles for every kWh of the battery. It can be identified by the standard illuminated grille and unique 22-inch wheels. The two senior models can charge at 195kW, the xDrive 45 at 175kW. ‘Particularly efficient charging times’ are being promised thanks to improved pre-conditioning.
For charging away from the motorway services, AC charging is up to 22kW, and the iX is now fit for ‘solar- and load-optimised charging as well as cost-optimised charging based on a dynamic electricity tariff’ thanks to Connected Home Charging. There’s even a new wallbox from BMW for those feeling especially flush - that’s not going to come cheap.
There are some interesting chassis tweaks for the new iX as well. Because of the ‘optimised’ battery tech, which we’ll take as a little bit lighter, the weight balance has actually changed, so the suspension has been tweaked to take account. There’s a ‘hydraulic rear axle support bearing’ to even better balance ride and dynamics. The M70 gets its own M tune of bars, dampers and steering.
BMW’s latest Sports Activity Vehicle will be available to order from the spring; prices start at £74,400 for the 45, then £92,200 for the 60, and £113,300 for the M70. So it might be a good time to pounce on an original, for those that don’t mind the appearance too much - xDrive 40s are well under £40k now, even from BMW, and the 523hp 50 from £45,000. As is often the case with super EVs, though, the biggest bargains are to be found with the fastest one: this M60 would have been £120k in 2022, and now it’s little more than £60,000.
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