BMW are one of the brands leading the charge to automotive electrification. The BMW iX EV (electric vehicle) range is steadily growing, offering, they say, exceptional range and delivering powerful acceleration from a standstill. The latest EV’s from BMW are powered by an ever-improving 5th Generation of the company’s ‘eDrive’ technology. Initially the iX was available in two models (prices from GB £69,000): The iX xDrive40 and the iX xDrive50. Now they have added another in a performance orientated package.
These days, car makers seem to be continually adding new sectors of vehicles to their catalogues; now we have another one: The Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). It’s all a bit bewildering. How, for example, this differs from a SUV is not clear but as long as the cars are good it doesn’t really matter does it? This week’s vehicle is one such: The BMW iX M60. This version, again, is all electric and with the M designation signalling a performance style car, it adds another alternative within the German brand’s electric range.
On The Outside
It’s a big, powerful looking car with a subtle surface design and precise detailing that characterises the clean exterior look and gives the M60 its distinctive presence. To further distinguish this version, the brake callipers of the sports brake and energy recovery system are painted in blue and feature an M logo. The BMW Individual Titanium Bronze Exterior Line and M logos in the new High Gloss Black/Titanium Bronze finish on the front side panels and the rear of the vehicle provide clear indications of the high performance character of the iX M60. 22 inch aerodynamic wheels again featuring the Titanium Bronze design are also offered via the option programme exclusively on this variant.
The aluminium space-frame and the carbon cage with carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the roof, side and rear sections combine an intelligent mix of materials that increase rigidity and help to reduce weight. The use of CFRP to reduce vehicle weight has a long tradition at this company, going back in fact to the BMW M3 CSL, which was introduced in 2003.
Given that by their nature electric cars are heavy beasts, the iX M60’s aerodynamic properties have been optimised to achieve a drag coefficient (Cd value) of 0.27, which benefits the vehicle’s performance, efficiency and range. The high-voltage battery is located deep down in the underbody, lowering the vehicle's centre of gravity. This ensures a balanced axle load distribution, resulting in outstanding cornering dynamics and handling that can be precisely controlled at all times when on the road.
On The Inside
The BMW iX as standard already offers drivers a high level of standard equipment, but iX M60 customers benefit from even more goodies. In addition to the standard offering on the iX xDrive 50, iX M60 customers receive 22” Air Performance Alloy wheels, Soft Close Doors, ‘Laserlights’ and ‘Parking Assistant Professional’ including an all-new Interior camera, making this large car easy to park in tight spaces.
Inside the vehicle, owners also benefit from interior design in Suite Natural Leather Upholstery, Comfort Access, Heat Comfort Package, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System for your tunes, Ventilated Front Seats, Sun Protection Glass, Four-zone Air Conditioning and Front Electric and Massage Seats. That right there is a pretty comprehensive selection.
The latest generation iDrive display and control system expands the interaction between driver and vehicle; based on the new BMW Operating System 8 it has been designed with a clear focus on both the touch function of the splendid new and very minimalist Curved Display, adding voice communication with the extensively enhanced BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
Navigation with the cloud-based BMW Maps system and Augmented Reality Video on the Control Display ensures fast and precise route planning as well as outstanding, they say, traffic guidance.
On The Road
The BMW iX has been conceived, we learn, as the ideal all-electric SAV with high-performance characteristics. From its design, through to its body structure and suspension set-up, everything has been geared towards achieving both superior ride comfort and handling characteristics.
Statistics vary but for the car featured here, the zero-emission (where the tailpipe used to be) BMW iX M60 is the third and most powerful model variant of this new electric-technology flagship, embodying the best of BMW. With a peak output of 455 kW/619hp, a maximum torque of 1,100 Nm (!) and an M specific suspension set-up, the BMW iX M60 offers top performance and emission-free mobility with a range of up to 348 miles, although, as with all electric cars, this range figure has to be tempered by real world driving and conditions as always. Nevertheless, range-ability is growing and this car should have enough juice to handle most of our everyday driving without topping up.
There’s no question that this leading German brand offers some great vehicles, fossil fuel or electric, and are known as being real drivers’ cars. Please get in touch to find out how you too can import this fine EV or indeed any cars from the current BMW range from the UK to Kenya, New Zealand and other global locations.
