BMW iX: Everything we know so far

BMW ix: Everything we know so far

(Epitome credit: BMW)

BMW 9 xDrive 50

Release Date: Summer 2022
Price: $83,200
Power: 493 bhp, 2 motor, AWD
Battery range: 300 miles (EPA)
0 to 60 mph:v seconds
Smarts: Apple CarPlay, Android Motorcar, Harman/Kardon stereo, iDrive operating organization and vocalisation assistant, optional 5G and Wi-Fi hotpot

The BMW iX xDrive 40 and xDrive 50 will both characteristic a twin-motor, 4-wheel-drive setup that'll take them from 0-62 mph in super-quick time then on to a top speed of 124 mph. But they can also lay claim to being among the greenest mass-produced cars yet, thanks to an assortment of environmentally friendly features.

Hither's everything we know most the BMW iX series and so far, including the pricing, specs, release date, range and more.

BMW nine: Release and pricing

The BMW nine xDrive 40 arrived towards the end of 2021, while the xDrive50 will launch in early 2022. The xDrive 50 prices are confirmed to start at $83,200 in the U.Southward., which gives it something of an advantage over the Tesla Model 10. Tesla's premium electrical SUV starts at $91,000 and rises to $121,000 for the most expensive version.

We don't withal know if the xDrive 40 will be released in the U.Southward., merely in the U.K. it will get-go at £69,000.

Pre-orders for the nine xDrive fifty are live on the BMW website, and right at present U.S. customers car expect to take delivery of the car sometime in Summer 2022. You will need to mitt over a $1,500 deposit, merely this is fully refundable.

BMW nine: Design and interior

The BMW nine has already turned some heads with its questionable outside blueprint. Particularly when you compare it to the shine and curved edges on a lot of other all-electric SUVs.

Information technology's a lot more crude and angled than some people might like, but fortunately the interior of the automobile is a totally different story.

BMW iX interior and leather seats — (Prototype credit: BMW)

In typical electric vehicle mode BMW has included a a large touchscreen control panel, aslope a panoramic sunroof that features electrochromic shading. In other words you lot can flick a switch to either tint or articulate the glass, every bit your needs run across fit. It's non a flim-flam y'all see on a lot of cars, simply it is something we'd similar to encounter more of.

Powered front end seats are heated, and are available in leather, faux leather, or microfiber material.

BMW nine: Power and performance

The iX xDrive forty and nine xDrive 50 are BMW'southward starting time ever electric SUVs, and both will exist seriously powerful. Both cars are expected to offer all cycle drive as standard, with a single motor on each beam.

The entry-level xDrive 40 will produce 296bhp (240 kW) and will be able to handle the 0-62 mph sprint in a little over half-dozen seconds, while the even beefier xDrive l will serve up 493bhp (370kW) and accomplish 62 mph in nether 5 seconds.

That'southward impressively quick, if not quite as spectacular every bit the Tesla Model Ten, which can hit 60 mph in either 3.8 or 2.5 seconds, depending on the model.

BMW iX in white on mountain roads — (Image credit: BMW)

BMW 9: Range and charging

In terms of range, the xDrive50 has a 100 kWh bombardment that'south good for a 373-mile trip, while the forty has to make exercise with a lxx kWh jail cell that will conk out after 249 miles. The Model X, past comparison, can go for 340 miles, or 360 in its Long Range guise.

Both the ix cars can go from x-eighty percent of accuse in a piddling under 40 minutes, though the xDrive 50 is faster overall in this regard: its 200 kW charging can take it to 75 miles in 10 minutes, whereas the xDrive 40 has a 150 kW charger and will add 56 miles in the same fourth dimension.

BMW iX in white driving close to mountain edge — (Image credit: BMW)

BMW iX: Intelligence panel and iDrive

As y'all'd look for a mod EV, the iX series is packed with tech. That large kidney-shaped front grille functions as an "intelligence panel", which houses the cameras, radar and sensors information technology uses for its automatic-driving systems. BMW says it will procedure 20 times the amount of data compared to previous models.

Inside, the nine range will be the beginning BMW to use the brand's new iDrive operating system, complete with onboard digital assistant.

BMW iX intelligence panel and steering wheel by the dea — (Image credit: BMW)

Simply impressive though the cars look, BMW seems most excited about their greenish credentials.

BMW iX: Greenest SUVs e'er?

The xDrive forty and xDrive 50 are the issue of "an all-encompassing approach to sustainability" that covers every pace of the production procedure. Neither uses any rare-earth materials and BMW itself procures the cobalt and lithium used in their batteries, to ensure that "environmental and sustainability standards are observed."

The batteries are manufactured exclusively using light-green ability and BMW says that overall production procedure emissions for the iX range were cut by 18%. The interior, meanwhile, uses a "loftier proportion of secondary aluminum and recycled plastic" included recovered angling nets, plus FSC-certified wood and other natural materials. In total, the nine contains 132 pounds of recycled plastic.

BMW claims that over the course of 125,000 miles, the 9 xDrive40 has a 45 per centum lower global warming potential than a comparable diesel fuel car.

BMW ix in gray parked by a building — (Image credit: BMW)

BMW iX: Outlook

At that place'south still a bit to exist learned about both the BMX iX xDrive twoscore and xDrive l, so we can't make any major judgements correct at present. Questionable exterior aside, BMW is no stranger to the world of the all-time electrical cars, so nosotros have high hopes for both iX models.

Plus it'southward commendable that the company is aiming to brand the production process cleaner and more than sustainable. Whether it's fair or non, the electrical motorcar industry has got a lot of flack for how production tin impact the environment — particularly with the mining of lithium and rare earth metals.

We're still interested to see what autonomous and smart driving features BMW has in store as well. High-end electric cars have been going all in with Level 2, and potentially Level 3 autonomy recently. While they're nowhere near capable of true driver-free democratic driving, it's notwithstanding progress towards that goal. BMW knows that, and hopefully has a few things still to show off.

More: Should you buy a used electric car? Everything yous need to know

As U.Chiliad. Editor in Chief on Tom'south Guide, Marc is responsible for the site'south U.K.-focused output likewise equally overseeing all gaming, streaming, sound, Telly, entertainment, how-to and cameras coverage. He previously edited the tech website Stuff and has tested and written most phones, tablets, wearables, streaming boxes, smart abode devices, Bluetooth speakers, games and much more than. He besides spent years on a music magazine, where his duties mainly involved spoiling other people'southward fun, and on a car mag. An gorging photographer, Marc likes nothing better than taking pictures of very pocket-size things (bugs, his daughters) or very big things (afar galaxies). When he gets time, he also enjoys gaming (console and mobile), cycling and attempting to watch as much sport as any man can (peculiarly cricket).