By Otsile Kadiege

BMW recently unveiled the all-new BMW iX Sports Activity Vehicle, which was initially called the iNEXT. It’s an all-electric luxury SAV with its sight set on the Tesla’s Model X, Mercedes-Benz EQC and the Audi e-tron. According to BMW, the iX has the length of an X5, the height of an X6 and the wheels are as big as those on the X7.

Design

The iX has been developed from the inside out. The minimalist interior looks, luxurious and modern thanks to plush seats which incorporates a combination of high-quality textile, microfibre fabrics and head restraints with integrated speakers. There is a large, high performance computing, free-standing curved digital display screen grouping made up of a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen display. It also features 5G connectivity.

New to the iX is what BMW has termed Shy tech which includes out-of-sight speakers, intricately designed air vents, seamlessly integrated heads-up display and a touch sensitive panel with optional open-pore wood centre console. Some optional features include an electrochromic panoramic roof, a 30 speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System, crystal gear selector as well as crystal switches and knobs.

Outside, the iX features a controversial prominent grille which BMW calls the intelligence panel. It houses camera technology, radar functions and other sensors integrated into the grille. The panel also has a self-healing technology should rocks chip or damage it. The BMW logo on the aggressively styled hood is actually a cap which can be popped open to refill the windscreen washer fluid. The iX features slim head & taillights, blue accents on some specifications and frameless doors.

Performance and Efficiency

The iX makes use of BMW’s fifth generation eDrive technology which features 2 electric motors. It produces a maximum of 370 kW of power and BMW claims it will sprint to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds. BMW also claims the electric power consumption will be less than 21 kWh per 100 Kilometers in the WLTP test cycle. It has a range of 600 kilometers With DC fast charging of up to 200 kW, the iX will charge from 10 to 80 percent of its full capacity in under 40 minutes, whilst 10 minutes of charging will give you more than 120 kilometers.

Availability

The iX will arrive in SA in the first quarter of 2022. Production of the iX will begin early 2021.

By Otsile Kadiege

BMW recently unveiled the all-new BMW iX Sports Activity Vehicle, which was initially called the iNEXT. It’s an all-electric luxury SAV with its sight set on the Tesla’s Model X, Mercedes-Benz EQC and the Audi e-tron. According to BMW, the iX has the length of an X5, the height of an X6 and the wheels are as big as those on the X7.

Design

The iX has been developed from the inside out. The minimalist interior looks, luxurious and modern thanks to plush seats which incorporates a combination of high-quality textile, microfibre fabrics and head restraints with integrated speakers. There is a large, high performance computing, free-standing curved digital display screen grouping made up of a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen display. It also features 5G connectivity.

New to the iX is what BMW has termed Shy tech which includes out-of-sight speakers, intricately designed air vents, seamlessly integrated heads-up display and a touch sensitive panel with optional open-pore wood centre console. Some optional features include an electrochromic panoramic roof, a 30 speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System, crystal gear selector as well as crystal switches and knobs.

Outside, the iX features a controversial prominent grille which BMW calls the intelligence panel. It houses camera technology, radar functions and other sensors integrated into the grille. The panel also has a self-healing technology should rocks chip or damage it. The BMW logo on the aggressively styled hood is actually a cap which can be popped open to refill the windscreen washer fluid. The iX features slim head & taillights, blue accents on some specifications and frameless doors.

Performance and Efficiency

The iX makes use of BMW’s fifth generation eDrive technology which features 2 electric motors. It produces a maximum of 370 kW of power and BMW claims it will sprint to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds. BMW also claims the electric power consumption will be less than 21 kWh per 100 Kilometers in the WLTP test cycle. It has a range of 600 kilometers With DC fast charging of up to 200 kW, the iX will charge from 10 to 80 percent of its full capacity in under 40 minutes, whilst 10 minutes of charging will give you more than 120 kilometers.

Availability

The iX will arrive in SA in the first quarter of 2022. Production of the iX will begin early 2021.