This is the brand new BMW iX, the company’s first all electric flagship SUV and it’s certainly an interesting looking car. The iX will go on sale in late 2021 and it’s a five seat SUV which looks like it is taking on the very capable Tesla Model X – as it has 500bhp, a range of 373 miles and can do 0-60mph in under five seconds.
The first thing you’ll be drawn to is the massive “grill” at the front, which of course being an EV it doesn’t need something that large for air intake and apart from generating discussion online, that space is used for the front facing sensors, radar and cameras. Above the grill is the bonnet area, which doesn’t open – BMW has said that, “Without a traditional engine or frunk, there is no need for customers to open the bonnet.” – but that space, like a Tesla, could have been used for storage.
Apart from the Model X, the iX will be taking on the Mercedes EQC and Audi E-Tron with a size about the same as the current X5, but like we are finding with electric cars the interior space just opens up, so the inside has the same sort of capacity as the current X7.
In terms of charging, it supports DC fast charging at 200kW, which will be able to add 75 miles of range in 10 minutes. Inside the iX there is a large array of screens, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster as well as a dash mounted 14.9-inch touchscreen for the infotainment. And judging by the photos, it keeps the screens more out of the way, less in your face than something like a Tesla or the new Ford Mustang Mach E, which have their screens sort of next to you.
BMW has also mentioned this is the first ever premium car with 5G built in.
BMW is going be launching the iX next year, at the end of 2021 but pricing has not been revealed or even hinted at – however BMW Blog has predicted that prices for the top of the line model at least, could be over $100,000 (£76,000) which is in the same ball park as a high end Tesla Model X.
