The flagship of the BMW electric range has opened its doors to us. What are its assets to shake the Tesla Model X, its direct competitor?
New BMW iX 2021 – It has been almost 10 years since BMW launched a model based on a 100% electric platform, since the city car i3. In the meantime, the Bavarian firm had mostly contented itself withadapt thermal models to electricity, such as the iX3 SUV. This return to an exclusively electric vehicle is being orchestrated today at the top of the range, with the impressive BMW iX.
iX vs. Model X
So segment of a very large electric SUV, around 5 meters long, competitors are still scarce. We must ogle on the side ofAudi with the e-tron to find him a direct rival. But the main target of the iX is obviously the Tesla Model X, true instigator of the genre. Compared to the Californian, the German is 8 cm shorter, with a total length of 4.95 m, but it further optimizes its architecture since its wheelbase reaches 3 m. It is 4 cm better than the Model X but the latter is the only one to offer 7 seats, against only 5 at BMW. On the trunk side, the iX changes its volume from 500 to 1750 l.
Techno cocoon
On the style side, we must recognize that the design of the iX is far from being unanimous, during its revelation. Its designers have favored a very original drawing, unlike its competitors, therefore necessarily more divisive. On board, this singularity is also present, although the whole seems more harmonious. The dashboard is ultra-refined with ventilation nozzles reduced to their simplest expression, enhanced by a huge curved digital panel, connected to 5G, for the first time. Seeming to be levitating, it brings together a 14.9 ”central touch screen, in addition to the 12.3” one housed behind the wheel.
Eco-responsible
For its part, the center console contains more physical keys and is inspired, in its design, by the world of high-end furniture. A very high-end interior which nevertheless forms part of a virtuous approach by multiplying the use of recycled plastics, from FSC labeled wood or even leather tanned with olive leaf extract.
Generous interior
A real cocoon that also makes the emphasis on livability, and in particular in the rear seats where we appreciate the absence of a transmission tunnel, in favor of a flat floor. The older ones will have no problem cramming their legs. On the other hand, the panorama offered to these rear passengers is less rewarding than at the front with, in the field of vision, huge pieces of plastic covering the backs of the armchairs.
Comfortable autonomy
To recharge the BMW iX, two battery capacity levels are offered. First of all 76.6 kWh on the entry-level xDrive40 which promises a autonomy the 425 km WLTP. As the name suggests, its 240 kW electric motor, i.e. 326 hp, has all-wheel drive, just like the 385 kW strong xDrive50 variant, approx. 523 hp, which increases the capacity of its battery to reach 105,2 kWh in order to browse up to 630 km WLTP.
Can do better in cooldown
Impressive characteristics to be compared with the relative low tension of the whole who settles down between 330 and 369 V, depending on the version, where a Porsche Taycan or a Hyundai Ioniq 5 feature 800 V technology, for lightning-quick recharging times. When the latter require less than 20 min to recover 80% of the load on a supercharger, it will be necessary to wait more than 30 min with the BMW iX.
BMW iX price
We already know the prices of the iX range starting at € 86,250 for the 326 hp model, when the 523 hp model claims € 103,500. Two models whose commercialization will take place in November, before a M60 version, delivering more than 600 hp, complete the catalog during 2022.
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