BMW iX Road Test. Shifting Electric Motoring Preconceptions
20 Times More Powerful Computing
Among those advances, iX boasts computing prowess 20 times more powerful than previous models. To allow double the amount of data to be processed by vehicle sensors and further underpin significant future automated driving advances. The iX of course packs in a full selection of latest BMW driver aids. Its front collision warning system now even detects oncoming traffic when turning across oncoming traffic. And wayward cyclists and pedestrians, when steering away from the road.
All of the above is built into a carbon caged aluminum spaceframe construction flaunting carbon reinforced plastic in its roof, flanks and rear quarter. To offset natural battery electric vehicle weight gains. The BMW iX also utilizes advanced aerodynamics to cheat the wind and achieve an impressive 0.25 coefficient of drag. But the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing-built iX’s biggest claim to fame is its greenness. Which spreads throughout this quit remarkable machine
BMW for instance procures the cobalt and lithium required for those high-voltage batteries from controlled sources in Australia and Morocco, for supply to its battery cell manufacturers. Those battery cells, all iX aluminum, its FSC-certified wood, olive leaf tanned leather, floor mats made from recovered fish nets and other core raw materials are all manufactured using only exclusively certified green power sources.
Revolutionary Synchronous iX Motors
Even its electric motors avoid the use of rare earths in their unique construction. Built as integrated single units in compact housings comprising all transmission and power electronics components, these current-excited electric motors eliminate the use magnets and the critical materials required to manufacture them. Synchronous electric motors are induced by fed-in electric energy, rather than conventional fixed permanent magnets.
Precisely powered rotor excitation has a further positive effect on these fifth-generation BMW eDrive tech motors’ performance. It enables immediate peak torque produced on pulling away, to be maintained over an extremely broad band and consistently maintain lightning-fast power delivery. Munich promises a typical BMW sporty feel from the 516 HP and 565 lb.-ft bi-motor BMW iX xDrive50.
Geared to ensure emissions-free driving pleasure, The BMW iX has fast-acting and precise electric bi-motor all-wheel drive. Comprising two electric motors, one on the front axle and another at the rear, it boasts near-actuator wheel slip limitation, our test barge included two-axle air suspension, Integral Active Steering and Sport brakes too. It’s all powered by a fifth-generation BMW eDrive battery pack sitting low down in the vehicle floor as an integral component of the chassis.
BMW iX Has a Market Leading 400-mile Range
The lithium-ion high energy density high-voltage battery pack yields 20% improved gravimetric energy density for a gross energy content of over 100 kWh. That allows iX to boast a 30 kWh per 100-mile WLTP combined electric power consumption to ensure a most impressive and market-leading 400 miles of WLTP-calculated battery electric operating range. At zero local CO2 emissions. BMW also claims 4.5 second zero to 60 mph and iX is rated for a 120 mph top speed.
Recharging is normally a challenge, but iX’s extreme range makes living with an electric car far easier. It is a mere formality to plug it in to your wall charger and the power it consumes costs about a fifth or less of what we’d pay to fuel a frugal X5 M50d. Who knows how much less than an X5M? Interestingly, were you to take your home off the grid and charge your iX via you domestic solar or similar system, not only would you drive, but you’d also basically live for free.
So, what is this BMW showcar for the road like to drive? Well, first off, as noted, iX brings that weird sensation of space and freedom inside. Love it or hate it, that at room is really and truly concept car cool and we felt privileged to drive it. Some of the controls and operating systems take a bit of time to get one’s head around, but they are all quite logical in the end. And once again, neat.
Cue Skywalker & Vader’s Pods
It ‘fires up’ and operates stealthily. No noise, no fuss, no bother. But boot it and by golly, does it go! That immediate maximum torque response is brutal, and it just keeps on shoving. Cue Skywalker or Vader’s pods. Just quieter. And real! Our test data was better than BMW’s claims and it felt like it too. Driven normally, this big electric bus is friendly to live with. We enjoyed single pedal motoring, but that takes a bit of practice and patience to get used to. It was good to occasionally watch the range climb too.
Overall, this car proved a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand from a petrolhead point of view, charging challenges and where that electricity comes from, what will one day become of that huge battery, and all that, are always questions. But this BMW iX renders all of that back of mind in so many ways. Its now adequate driving range being one of the prime contributors.
Just looked at as another car on another day, the BMW iX is one of the finest we have driven this year. Warts and all. And that’s a huge electric step forward for us.
ROAD TESTED: BMW iX xDrive50 Motors:2x synchronous electric Output: 516 HP 565 lb.-ft combined Drive: Direct AWD Battery: 100 kWh lithium-ion TESTED: 0-40 mph: 2.23 sec 0-60 mph: 4.29 sec 0-80 mph: 5.78 sec 0-100 mph: 9.88 sec ¼-mile: 12.5 sec @ 182 km/h 50-75 mph: 2.64 sec 75-100 mph: 3.88 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 120 mph Energy Consumption: 30 kWh/100 miles CO2: 0 g/km local LIST PRICE: $83,200 MSRP RATED: 9 Photos: Lupini