Tech-Rich Head-Turner

One of the newest EVs to covet, the BMW iX offers a powerful electric drivetrain and the coolest cabin around. Tony Tan reviews it.

- Tony Tan

BMW IX XDRIVE40

DRIVE TYPE BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE (BEV)

DRIVE CONCEPT ELECTRIC DRIVE, TWO ELECTRIC MOTORS TO THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS

MAX SYSTEM OUTPUT 240KW/326HP

MAX SYSTEM TORQUE: 630NM

TRANSMISSION AUTOMATIC, SINGLE SPEED WITH FIXED RATIO

ELECTRIC POWER CONSUMPTION (COMBINED) 25.1KWH/100KM

BATTERY TYPE LITHIUM-ION

BATTERY VOLTAGE 300.3V

BATTERY CAPACITY 232AH

ACCELERATION 60-100KM/H IN 6.1 SECONDS

TOP SPEED (ELECTRONICALLY LIMITED) 200KM/H

RANGE (WLTP TEST CYCLE) 372-425KM

When BMW introduced the i3 back in 2013, it showed the world that it was ahead of the pack when it came to electric cars. That the decade-old model still looks fresh and desirable is a testament to the brand’s achievements. Since the i3, BMW has fallen behind its rivals where the electric car is concerned. However, the all-new iX represents a fresh restart for the German marque, and it is perhaps its most significant electric-only model to date as the car targets the top end of the segment.

While in terms of size, the iX sits alongside the X5, and to a certain extent the X7, it is extremely different in all other respects. It is a sizeable SUV, or SAV (sports activity vehicle) in BMW speak. And at the front, there’s no avoiding the signature grille which will attract its fair share of comments. That it has no useful function like being a conventional air intake does make you wonder why BMW wanted it on the car in the first place. Perhaps to make a statement?