Revised BMW iX on the way

BMW has announced a facelift for its German-built iX fully electric large SUV that ushers in minor interior and exterior changes but significant powertrain upgrades -- and a model nomenclature realignment.

The current BMW iX is priced from $130,900 excluding on-road costs with the new model certain to increase from this price point.

Competing against the likes of the Mercedes Benz EQE and the Audi Q8 e-Tron, the big Bimmer BEV found favour with 556 buyers last year, a decline of 32 per cent on 2023 sales.

So, assuming it is early rather than later in the year, an update is possibly timely given the sales slip and an incoming tsunami of BEVs in 2025.

The naming convention changes in line with powertrain upgrades meaning the iX xDrive40 is replaced by the iX xDrive45, the iX xDrive50 is replaced by the iX xDrive60 and the iX M60 xDrive is replaced by the iX M70 xDrive.

Of note is BMW’s claim for the new model of up to 701km range (WLTP) on the most efficient version (iX60) thanks, it says, to “innovations in the field of BMW eDrive technology,” coupled with “consistent further development of the performance electronics and fine-tuning of the wheel bearings and tyres”… among other things.

All models have dual electric motors, one on each axle creating AWD.

BMW says it has fine-tuned the drive system and the power electronics are further developed to deliver more power which correlates to 300kW in the iX45, 400kW in the iX60 and 485kW with a monumental 1100Nm of torque in the M70 all with commensurate chassis/dynamic upgrades.

For the 0-100km/h sprint, times are down to 5.1 seconds, 4.6 seconds and 3.5 seconds respectively.

Both the iX45 and iX60 models have an electronically limited top speed of 200km/h with the M70 set at 250km/h.

Claimed combined power consumption for each new model is 21.8kWh/100km for the iX45, 21.9kWh/100km for the iX60 and 23.5kWh/100km for the M70.

BMW says new battery cell technology increases the energy content of the high-voltage battery for the iX45 by around 30 per cent to 94.8kWh. The high-voltage batteries of the other model variants provide a usable energy content of 109.1kWh on the iX60 and 108.9kWh on the M70.

Further, a new inverter technology for the power electronics on all variants optimises the power density of the drive system to ensure particularly high efficiency in the transfer of energy from the high-voltage battery to the electric motor.

BMW says, “adaptive recuperation contributes to increased efficiency while driving”. The Max Range function can also increase the range remaining before the next charging stop by up to 25 per cent.

“In combination with the higher energy content of the battery for the new iX45 and other efficiency-enhancing measures for all variants, this results in a range increase of up to 40 per cent, depending on the model,” said BMW.

On the outside, the new model can be identified by a redesigned “radiator” grille with a filigree frame and a structure of vertical and diagonal lines in its interior. The Iconic Glow kidney grille with contour lighting (standard for the new BMW iX M70 xDrive) is now available as an option.

The headlights now have vertical elements for daytime running lights and turn indicators while the now standard equipment adaptive LED headlights with cornering light function and new city lights contained diagonally in the cluster.

Front and rear bumpers and associated hardware is reworked and features more body-colour painted surfaces.

The M Sport package, now optionally available on lower spec variants emphasises the dynamic character of the vehicle with powerful lines, striking air intakes at the front and vertical reflectors at the rear.

The iX M70 xDrive comes as standard with the design features of the M Sport package and the M Sport package Pro, including a model-specific BMW kidney grille with M logo, black exterior mirror caps, and 22-inch M light-alloy wheels.

A wide variety of driver assistance systems are fitted facilitating automated driving and parking while interior upgrades include new seats, upholstery, fascia colours and materials and a harman/kardon surround sound system in conjunction with BMW’s OS 8.5

Available hues are Arctic Race Blue metallic, Dune Grey metallic, Carbon Black metallic, BMW Individual Frozen Deep Grey metallic, BMW Individual Frozen Pure Grey metallic, Tanzanite Blue metallic and Space Silver metallic. The BMW Individual Exterior Line Titanium Bronze is also available as a further option for the BMW iX xDrive45 and the BMW iX xDrive60.

More details will be available closer to the new iX’s local launch.