BMW has released the first official images of its updated iX large luxury electric SUV.
Where once it was taking on the likes of EQC and E-tron, it is now up against EX90, Polestar 3 and forthcoming Range Rover Electric. So it needs to be up to speed technically.
Introduced in 2021 as a flagship electric SUV, the company has recently made a range of updates to its battery , motors and tech. There are also subtle styling tweaks. It is due to go on sale next year.
Expect the battery pack to have even more kWh than the 112 it currently has. BMW has yet to put an exact or indeed any number on that. However, it says rolling resistance will be 10 per cent lower which will also lead to increased range (near to 700km). Relatively simple measures include friction-optimised wheel bearings, and fresh rubber. New silicon carbide inverters supposedly improve efficiency as well.
The suspension has undergone tweaks too. There’s a new hydraulic rear axle bearing for the new powertrain options, and added body control.
Existing powertrains offer between 240 and 454kW and that will rise slightly, the synchronous motors a little beefier. A new Sport Plus drive mode offers fixed regeneration for greater brake feel. At the other end of the spectrum a new Max mode teases out extra range. Evidently it adds 20 per cent without the usual Eco strangled sensation, a good trick.
Expect only small styling changes, perhaps with diagonal strake sections to the kidney grille. We’ve seen these already on X3 . Likely there are new headlight designs too. A large kidney grille is needed for all the sensors that are needed for semi-autonomous drive capability.
Evidently M Sport models will get new red calipers. Inside, the M Sport trim line will be a bit more obvious, with a round three-spoke sports steering wheel (instead of the hexagonal helm). Expect more technical fabric and leather trim options too.
This will continue to be the flagship EV for the brand until a new generation all-electric X5 launches but that’s still a few years away.
The final update for iX is a new model naming structure that will eventually roll out to all future BMW EVs.
