2021 BMW iX Review

Big, bold, expensive

About ten years ago, a rare automaker denied himself the pleasure of going through the grandiose plans of Tesla – they say, the consumer does not need it, there is no infrastructure, and in principle it is inconvenient to drive on the “socket”. However, during this time, almost all companies have acquired an extensive range of at least hybrids, and at most full-fledged electric cars, and for many these are models developed from scratch, without versions with internal combustion engines. This is exactly what the BMW iX is.

Actually, the i3 was the first-born of such a concept – a body made of Kevlar was hoisted onto a platform with a battery, the texture of which is visible on unpainted fragments like doorways. In this regard, the iX is almost an analogue: it is built on an aluminum platform, on which a Kevlar frame is hung. Steel and thermoplastic CFRTP are also used in the construction. But this did not make the model a feather: its mass is more than 2.5 tons.

The battery, only 14 cm high, was placed so compactly in the bottom of the car that it is almost imperceptible – neither from the outside nor inside. Two versions of the crossover are offered – “forty” and “fifty”, however, these designations have nothing to do with battery capacity. The base xDrive40, like our test drive, is equipped with a 76.6 kWh battery (71 available), accelerates from standstill to 100 km / h in 6.1 seconds and promises a range of up to 425 km on the WLTP cycle. Two electric motors with a total capacity of 326 hp are initially installed on the model. with., which give out 630 N m. It is noteworthy that the car is sold only in the European market – from there, in fact, this copy was delivered. Its cost is 75 thousand euros.

The xDrive50 version also has two electric motors and all-wheel drive, but here (I wanted to say “under the hood”) there are already 523 hp. With. and 765 Nm. Acceleration to hundreds lasts only 4.6 seconds, and the maximum speed is limited to 200 km / h. The declared battery capacity is 111.5 kWh, the useful one is 105.2 kWh. They promise that the car will be able to drive up to 630 km. At an official dealer in Belarus, xDrive40 costs from 81,800 euros, xDrive50 version – from 91,800 euros.

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RETHINKING DESIGN WITH THE BMW iX

Large-scale surfaces and characteristic lines create the unmistakably monolithic appearance of the BMW iX. Every detail seamlessly complements the modern design language, reinforcing the impression that the car is as if molded in one mold. The streamlined body panels, which provide an impressively low drag coefficient cd = 0.25, are complemented by expressive details such as the dynamic glazing line tapering towards the rear. For the first time, a BMW SAV is equipped with frameless doors with hidden handles, which at first glance show its pioneering spirit.

Platform? No not CLAR

Upon arrival in Dingolfing, we had a tour of the BMW factory where the iX is made. It is assembled on the same line that is intended for series 5, 7 and 8. My question about sharing the CLAR platform with them angered Kistler. He insisted that this is an independent architecture and cited the fact that iX does not have a central tunnel as evidence.

I also asked why the same electric motors are used in the younger model with an index of 40, but their return is lower. As I thought, the amount of horsepower depends on the voltage of the electric current coming from the battery. And it is the batteries in versions 40 and 50 that differ.

Die Leistungskurve des iX 50 (links im Bild) endet abrupt bei 385 kW

And it’s not only about the size of the batteries, but also about the fact that the junior and senior blocks use different batteries from different manufacturers. BMW employees did not answer the question of whether the “chemistry” is different in them.

But Kistler showed me an electrochromic glass roof that can be tinted at the push of a button. The company claims that it can be completely transparent, but I would say that when the tinting is turned off, the glass still remains unclear.

The standard equipment looks like a scam. I tested the car with air suspension and a full-steering chassis, but otherwise it was very poorly equipped. It did not have the usual cruise control, lane keeping system, and even a rear-view camera. Now all this is in budget small cars, and it is strange not to see such options in a car priced from 98 thousand euros.

Such a well-thought-out recovery system and no cruise control? Seriously? In general, keep in mind that when ordering a car, you need to count on an increase of several thousand, or even tens of thousands of euros.

Interior

As for the interior of the new BMW iX, it has moved away from the traditional structure of the Bavarian company, there is minimalism here. A torpedo with two screens and a tunnel catches the eye. Inside there is a lot of piano lacquer, which is made of polyurethane. It allows you to get rid of small scratches when you turn on the heating for a few minutes. There is no central tunnel familiar to many, and a separate two-level box armrest is placed between the front seats. It was very nice to look at the crystal gear selector BMW X7.

The company understood this, so they decided to add this to the new BMW iX electric car. The small selector itself is crystal, but 2 washers of the multimedia center were also made crystal. The wooden panel is equipped with a transparent washer, and touch-type keys are placed along the wood itself. All this looks very modern. Sitting in the driver’s seat, you can see a 2-spoke steering wheel (the Germans themselves call it hexagonal, which is actually so, based on its shape). It has a small number of buttons and boasts 3-stage heating.

Further, 2 connected screens, designed for 12.3 and 14.9 inches, catch the eye. For the virtual dashboard, we decided to use a 12.3-inch display, and a wider one for the multimedia system. Also not without a projection display. Looking up, you can see a large panoramic cover that received electrochromic glass. The entire interior has a premium level of assembly and only expensive finishing materials, which include recycled and natural raw materials (recycled plastics and aluminum, nylon, wood, and leather).

For the buyer of the new BMW iX 2021, the German company has provided support for modern 5G Internet, a wireless charging pad, UCB-C ports and even a classic 12V outlet.

Emphasize the non-standard approach of the design team to the interior of the skin colors. To be more precise, a combination that has not yet been used by anyone. As for finishing materials, this includes Sensatec fabric and leather. Comfort features boast heating, ventilation and even massage. Inside there is plenty of free space, although the BMW iX car can not be called the longest, but it is quite high. Music lovers will definitely appreciate the 18-speaker Harman/Kardon music system.

For those who don’t think that’s enough, you can equip the Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound machine with 30 speakers, 1615 watts. However, only a simplified 12-speaker system will be available for the base model, with a total output of only 205 watts. The car is designed for 5 people. The front end boasts bucket seats with built-in headrests, pronounced lateral support, a solid list of electrical adjustments, a heating function and other “gadgets”.

The second row is equipped with a completely flat floor, a comfortable sofa and small additional amenities, which include a folding armrest with two cup holders, heating and “sockets”. There is no official information about the luggage compartment anywhere. However, there is no doubt that it will be roomy. Moreover, it can certainly be increased if the rear row of seats is folded down, resulting in a flat area and increased volume.

RETHINKED DESIGN

Smooth surfaces with few characteristic lines create the unmistakably monolithic appearance of the BMW iX. Every detail seamlessly complements the modern design language, reinforcing the impression that the car is as if molded in one mold. The meticulously streamlined bodywork, which delivers an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.25, draws the eye with expressive details such as the dynamic glass line tapering towards the rear. For the first time, a BMW SAV is equipped with frameless doors with hidden handles, a sign of its pioneering spirit at first glance.

Advantages and disadvantages

Machine advantages

• Clearance;
• Unusual titanium wheels;
• Special body color;
• The most modern optics;
• Good aerodynamic characteristics;
• High-quality, expensive and comfortable interior;
• Some controls are made of crystal;
• Comfortable seats;
• Two large displays;
• Plenty of free space;
• Roomy luggage compartment;
• Dynamic characteristics;
• Various electronic assistants and systems;
• No harmful emissions;
• Safety;
• Travel range;
• There is a possibility of fast charging;
• Four-wheel drive.

Comparison with other electric cars competitors

Electric crossovers are becoming more and more popular. The table shows the comparative characteristics of the BMW iX 2021 with its competitors.

Models	BMW iX	Audi E-tron	Hyundai Ioniq 5
Motor power	523 HP	408 HP	306 HP
VVB capacity	105.2 kWh	95 kWh	72.6 kWh
Power reserve	600 km	436 km	480 km
Acceleration to “hundreds”	4.6 seconds	5.7 seconds	5.2 seconds
Top speed	200 km/h	200 km/h	185 km/h
Price	9.3 million rubles	5.6 million rubles	3.8 million rubles

Welcome to the future

Panoramic roof (the largest in the BMW lineup) with electrochromic dimming, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system with five sound modes and thirty speakers (some of them located in the headrests and front seat backs) that deliver 1600 watts of power – none of this list was not in the test instance. However, even in a configuration close to the base, iX finds something to impress.

First, here is a curved panel, consisting of two displays. It is called the BMW Curved Display and connects a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.9-inch central display. Stunning graphics, fast interface, but a slightly confusing menu, the logic of which is not easy to understand. Despite the fact that you can control the functions both through the screen (including voice and gestures) and the iDrive selector puck, it’s not always clear on the go where the window or application you need is located. But when the owner sorts it out, he will certainly have no complaints: a rather high degree of individualization of car settings is expected.

Secondly, if you are a fan of the BMW brand, you will surely love the interior of the iX. Yes, it looks a little strange – there is no familiar center console, there are at least physical keys on the panel, but for some little things, details, touches, the electric car feels like a BMW model. Even the hexagon steering wheel does not look like a foreign element: both in normal modes and during high-speed maneuvering, it does not cause inconvenience, except that the rim is too thick.

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