BMW iX Electric SUV: What To Expect

BMW India is ready to join the electric party, with three electric vehicle launches in the works. The first one will be none other than the iX electric SUV. First breaking cover in November 2020, it's the carmaker's flagship electric SUV with plenty of top-of-the-line bits. Here's what to expect:

Performance

 

It's offered in two variants overseas: base-spec iX XDrive40 (gets a dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric powertrain delivering 330PS/630Nm) and iX XDrive50 (uses the same dual-motor setup but pushes a beefy 530PS and 765Nm). The 0-100kmph sprint takes 6.1 seconds for the iX XDrive40 and 4.6 seconds for the iX XDrive50.

Range

The 71kWh and 105kWh battery packs allow for a WLTP-claimed range of 425km (iX XDrive40) and 630km (iX XDrive50). It supports fast charging speeds of up to 200kW, and topping it up from 10-80 percent takes just 40 minutes. 

Tech Talk 

The iX electric SUV's design is in line with modern BMW's, especially with those large kidney grilles. But the cabin takes modernity to a whole new level. Not only does it look clean, but it's the first model to be equipped with BMW's latest iDrive 8 infotainment technology. 

It is a curved dual-screen display consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It uses BMW's Intelligent Assistant AI interface, where you can control vehicular functions using voice commands. The adaptive OS is also capable of learning user habits with time to offer a more tailored experience. Notable features include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 5G mobile connectivity, third-party music and streaming apps, and BMW Maps.

When's It Coming?

The BMW iX electric SUV will arrive in India sometime around mid-December this year. Prices could start from Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom, India).

Rivals

Considering its expected price range, we think it will take on other luxury electric SUVs in India, like the Mercedes-Benz EQC, Audi e-tron, and the Jaguar I-Pace.