The Driver's iX
Car India|April 2024
The BMW iX range gets one more option in the form of the top-shelf xDrive50. We take it out for a spin to see if it is worth the extra money
Joshua Varghese
The Driver's iX

LIKE MOST LUXURY MANUFACTURERS, BMW are also offering luxury sport utility vehicles (SUV) that could easily pass for spaceships. The iX is their flagship electric SUV and it has been on sale in India for a while now. What is new about this one then? This is the top shelf xDrive50 and we aim to help you decide if it is worth the premium over the xDrive40 that arrived earlier.

Visually, there is not much to tell the xDrive40 and xDrive50 apart. This one is also dimensionally comparable to the X5 with a roof-line like the X6's and the car we drove had the optional 22inch Air Performance wheels. These are not only optimized for aero but are also lighter than stock units. In this grey paint scheme, the iX has a commanding presence that is subtly but tastefully projected. As with all electric vehicles (EV), aerodynamics has played a significant role in the design of the iX. Each of its curves and creases has been sculpted to facilitate the passage of air, even manipulate it in some instances. The most obvious elements of this approach include the flush-fitting door-handles and the slim, over-engineered mirrors. In fact, the effect is so pronounced that BMW claim aero alone contributes to 65 kilometres of the car's range. One may argue that by submitting to the demands of aerodynamics, BMW may have compromised on the muscular character of their SUV family but their attention to detail remains intact. A good example would be the secondary tail-lights under the large seamless boot-lid. Useful to alert other road-users when the boot is open.

Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Car India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Car India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.