BMW iX

One of BMW’s sought-after models, the new BMW iX (first-generation), upgraded (Life Cycle Impulse – LCI) and launched in Malaysia.

A E-segment (mid-size luxury SUV – crossover SUV) contender, the BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) underpins BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive Technology.

Fully imported (CBU – Germany), available via BMW Malaysia are two variants (iX xDrive45 Sport – MYR 425,800, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro – MYR 487,800).

Price (OTR, w/o insurance) covers a standard BMW vehicle warranty (two years). Optional (MYR 34,900) is the BMW Service Inclusive (BSI – extended warranty: five years, unlimited mileage – service package: six years, unlimited mileage).

Exterior (iX xDrive45 Sport) colours (Alpine White Solid, Black Sapphire Metallic, Aventurine Red Metallic, Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Arctic Race Blue Metallic, Dune Grey Metallic). Interior (iX xDrive45 Sport) schemes (Interior Design Atelier: Oyster, Black, Mocha).

Exterior (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) colours (Black Sapphire Metallic, Aventurine Red Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Arctic Race Blue Metallic, Dune Grey Metallic, M Carbon Black Metallic). Interior (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) schemes (Interior Design Suite: Amido, Castanea – M Sport Interior Design: Black-Atlas Grey).

The new iX has an angularly modern and flat-cascading dashboard design, linked to a wide-island-style centre console (upper-deck: media controls, notch-style gear selector, drive mode selector, engine Start/Stop button, twin-door armrest storage opening – lower-deck: wireless charger, storage, cupholders).

Soft-/hard-touched (dash, steering wheel, centre console, doors), it sees leatherette-suede (SensaTec-Alcantara) upholstery in three variant-specific interior design schemes with contrast trims (Gold Bronze: iX xDrive45 Sport, M Dark Silver: iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro, High-Gloss Black: iX xDrive45 Sport, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Interior Design Atelier (Black-Oyster/Black-Black/Black-Mocha – iX xDrive45 Sport), Interior Design Suite (Black-Amido/Black-Castanea – iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) and M Sport Interior Design (Atlas Grey-Black-Atlas Grey – iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Equipped are the BMW Curved Display (single-pane glass – instrument cluster, infotainment), an ambient light system (BMW My Modes: multi-colour) and air-conditioning vents (slim: centre – rectangular: corners).

Inclusively, the layout is minimalistic and airy, with accessibilities ergonomically arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented).

One half of the BMW Curved Display, installed is a 12.3-Inch LCD fully digital driver display (instrument cluster), with a BMW Heads-Up Display (HUD).

The system runs on BMW Operating System 8.5 (BMW OS 8.5 – QuickSelect) and supports the BMW Live Cockpit Professional (Intelligent Personal Assistant: voice recognition, command, gesture – Augmented Reality View: BMW HUD), BMW My Modes (settings – interior, drive), BMW Iconic Sounds Electric (Hans Zimmer composed driving sounds) and BMW Connected Package Professional (My BMW smartphone app: remote access).

Comfortably plush, the interior sees leatherette-suede (SensaTec-Alcantara) upholstery (pattern-stitched, perforated) in variant-specific interior design schemes.

Interior Design Atelier (Oyster/Black/Mocha – iX xDrive45 Sport), Interior Design Suite (Amido/Castanea – iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) and M Sport Interior Design (Black-Atlas Grey – iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

The front gets electric-powered (driver-/passenger-multi-way-adjust, lumbar, memory) bolstered (iX xDrive45 Sport) and M (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) seats. The rear gets a manual-operated (40:20:40 split-fold) bolstered bench.

Included are armrests (front – centre console, rear – centre seat fold-out), headrests (front, rear), a panoramic glass roof (‘Sky Lounge’ – electric: tilt, slide, open/close) and an M headliner (Anthracite).

The five-seater e-crossover (mid-size luxury SUV – crossover SUV) offers generous cabin space, providing ample interior mobility for the occupants (front, rear). 

Sufficient head, shoulder and leg rooms.

Mounted is a standard (two-spoke-hexagonal – iX xDrive45 Sport) and an M (three-spoke-round – iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) steering wheel.

Leatherette SensaTec – Black) with contrast trims (Gold Bronze: iX xDrive45 Sport, M Dark Silver: iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro, High-Gloss Black: iX xDrive45 Sport, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Features are multi-function (media, Bluetooth, voice recognition, vehicle settings), paddle shifters and column adjustments (electric: tilt, telescopic, memory).

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Practical storage areas. E.g., Storage Compartment Package (side door/seat back/armrest pockets, partitioned/caverned/under-stowage centre console spaces, glovebox).

Provided are four cup holders (two – front, rear) and four bottle holders (one – side doors).

Equipped are six USB ports (two: front – four: rear), two 12 V sockets (front, boot) and one wireless charger (centre console).

The boot comes with an electric-powered (contactless – sensor, remote/key fob, tailgate button) tailgate (Comfort Access Package). 

Accessing it opens to 500-Litres (rear seats up) and 1,750-Litres (rear seats down) of load capacities (iX xDrive45 Sport, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Weighing in at 2,525 KG (iX xDrive45 Sport) and 2,580 KG (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro), the new iX measures at 4,965 MM long, 2,230 MM wide, 1,695 MM tall and with a wheelbase spanning 3,000 MM.

Aerodynamically solid, it parades a stockily wide and planted stance, emphasised by roundly sculpted and cleanly cut surfaces.

The front-end sees a formed bonnet (BMW emblem), angular quarter panels (raised fenders) and a shaped bumper (BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille: illuminated surrounds diagonal-pattern-closed insert – slim-central intake: iX xDrive45 Sport, large-central intake: iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro – trapezoidal corner inserts: iX xDrive45 Sport, vertical corner insert: iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Accentuations, Sport Package (iX xDrive45 Sport), M Sport Package Pro (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro), High-Gloss Shadowline Package (iX xDrive45 Sport), M Aerodynamic Package (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) and M Lights Shadowline Package (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Athletically broad, it continues the stockily wide and planted profile, emphasised by horizontally lined and sharply rounded contours.

The rear-end sees a mildly dipped roofline (roof-edge spoiler), an angularly bulbous tailgate (BMW emblem) and a shaped bumper (slim diffuser: iX xDrive45 Sport, large diffuser: iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro – corner slits: iX xDrive45 Sport, centre slits: iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro – protruding trapezoidal corners: iX xDrive45 Sport, cut-out trapezoidal corners: iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Accentuations, Sport Package (iX xDrive45 Sport), M Sport Package Pro (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro), High-Gloss Shadowline Package (iX xDrive45 Sport), M Aerodynamic Package (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) and M Lights Shadowline Package (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Sleek and sharp, the standard (clear lens – iX xDrive45 Sport) and darkened (M Lights Shadowline Package – iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) headlamps are housed inward-tilted with pointed edges. Installed are full LED units (adaptive).

Features are automatic On/Off, Daytime Running Lights (DRL – LED), High-Beam Assistant (HBA), cornering/welcome lights and sequential turn signals (LED).

Slim and sharp, the standard (clear lens – iX xDrive45 Sport) and darkened (M Lights Shadowline Package – iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) tail lamps are housed rectangularly elongated. Installed are full LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, welcome lights and sequential turn signals (LED). 

The side mirrors (dual-tone – Black-body-colour) are electric-powered (auto-fold, adjust) with the Expanded Exterior Mirror package (automatic anti-dazzle, automatic dipping, memory), blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Monitor – BSM) and turn signals (LED).

Fitted are ventilated (front, rear) disc brakes, featuring coloured callipers (Silver: iX xDrive45 Sport – Red: iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Aiding the setup is an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system and a Brake Energy Recuperation System (regenerative braking).

Sportily designed, mounted are sets of 21-Inch (Aerodynamic Style 1012 Multicolour 3D polished buff-Silver-Dark Grey – iX xDrive45 Sport) and 22-Inch (Aerodynamic Style 1025 Multicolour 3D polished buff-Silver-Black – iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) M light-alloy rims.

The sets are rubbered up in 255/50 R21 Pirelli P Zero E (front, rear – iX xDrive45 Sport) and 275/40 R22 Hankook ION EVO SUV (front, rear – iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) run flat tyres.

The new iX features the following sets of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Under Driving Assistant Professional, Active Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Steering Control Assistant, Lane Control Assistant, Emergency Stop Assistant, Automatic Speed Limit Assist, Lane Change Assistant, Lane Keeping Assistant with Side Collision Prevention, Front-Rear Crossing-Traffic Warning, Evasion Assistant, Road Priority Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition. 

Under Parking Assistant Plus, grouped are Park Assist (Automatic parking: parallel/perpendicular), Active Park Distance Control, Reversing Assistant, Lateral Parking Aid, Parking Drive Off Monitoring and Surround View Camera (remote 3D view, 180-degree, 360-degree).

Other systems. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Hill-Start Assist (HSA), Hill-Descent Control (HDC) and High-Beam Assistant (HBA).

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-passenger, front sides, front-rear curtains), seat belts (anchors, pretensioners, reminders), ISOFIX (two – outer-rear-seat), interior camera (occupant sensing), High-Beam Assistant (HBA), parking sensors (six – front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 180-degree, 360-degree), rear-view mirrors (automatic anti-dazzle: interior/exterior), side mirrors (automatic dipping, BSM, memory), acoustic protection for pedestrians (exterior loudspeaker), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), door ajar warning, automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic headlamps (On/Off/low-/high-beam), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), run flat tyres and anti-theft system (security alarm, immobiliser, anti-theft recorder).

Four drive modes at the driver’s disposal (COMFORT, SPORT, ECO PRO, ADAPTIVE).

Each mode correlates with the BMW Iconic Sounds Electric, featuring driving sounds composed by Hans Zimmer.

Included is the BMW My Modes (PERSONAL, SPORT, EFFICIENT, RELAX, EXPRESSIVE, DIGITAL ART) interior drive setting.

Completing the BMW Curved Display, installed is a 14.9-Inch touchscreen central display (infotainment). 

The system runs on BMW Operating System 8.5 (BMW OS 8.5 – QuickSelect) and supports the BMW Live Cockpit Professional (Intelligent Personal Assistant – voice recognition, command, gesture), BMW Connected Package Professional (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, My BMW smartphone app: remote access), BMW My Modes (settings – interior, drive), BMW Iconic Sounds Electric (Hans Zimmer composed driving sounds), BMW ConnectedDrive Services (intelligent emergency call, teleservices), Bluetooth and navigation.

Entertainment is channelled via a Harmon Kardon surround sound system (655 W, 18 speakers – iX xDrive45 Sport, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

The new iX underpins (iX xDrive45 Sport, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) an all-electric (BEV) powertrain (5th-gen BMW eDrive Technology) with variant-specific outputs.

Embedded (iX xDrive45 Sport, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) is a dual-electric-motor (Externally Excited Synchronous Motors – EESM) setup (front-rear-axle-mounted).

Total (front-rear e-motors) system outputs (402 HP/300 KW, 700 NM: iX xDrive45 Sport – 400 KW/537 HP, 765 NM: iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Mated to the setup is a single-speed automatic transmission.

Power is surges to all four wheels (iX xDrive45 Sport, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro), via BMW’s Intelligent Electric All-Wheel Drive (xDrive AWD) system.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 5.1 seconds (iX xDrive45 Sport) and 4.6 seconds (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro). Top speed is electronically capped at 200 KM/H (iX xDrive45 Sport, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Powering the e-motors (X5 xDrive50e M Sport) is a Lithium-Ion battery (100.6 KWH: iX xDrive45 Sport – 111.5 KWH: iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro), enabling an electric driving range (WLTP) of 602 KM (iX xDrive45 Sport) and 701 KM (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro).

Charging via AC (Type 2: 22 KW – iX xDrive45 Sport, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) takes 5.0 hours (iX xDrive45 Sport) and 5.75 hours (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) for a 0% to 100% State of Charge (SoC).

Charging via DC (CCS2: 175 KW/195 KW – iX xDrive45 Sport/iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) takes 34 minutes (iX xDrive45 Sport) and 35 minutes (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) for a 10% to 80% SoC.

The new iX features these conveniences.

E.g., Comfort Access system (keyless entry, electric-tailgate, engine Start/Stop button), interior camera (occupant sensing), parking sensors (six – front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 180-degree, 360-degree), rear-view mirrors (automatic anti-dazzle: interior/exterior), side mirrors (automatic dipping, BSM, memory), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), door ajar warning, automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic headlamps (On/Off/low-/high-beam), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), four-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents, rear controls), steering wheel (multi-function, paddle shifters, electric column adjustments, EPS), electric-powered (driver-/passenger-multi-way-adjust, lumbar, memory) bolstered (iX xDrive45 Sport) and M (iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) seats, armrests (front – centre console, rear – centre seat fold-out), headrests (front, rear), panoramic glass roof (‘Sky Lounge’ – electric: tilt, slide, open/close), BMW Live Cockpit Professional (BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant: voice recognition, command, gesture – BMW Connected Package Professional: My BMW smartphone app – BMW My Modes: settings: interior, drive), multiple charging outlets (USB, 12 V, wireless charger), interior lighting (LED – reading, floor, welcome, ambient, boot), run flat tyres and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Installed is a four-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents, rear controls) system.

Propping-up the chassis (iX xDrive45 Sport, iX xDrive60 M Sport Pro) is a setup of double wishbones (front) and multi-link (rear), incorporating BMW’s dual-axle air suspension system (adaptive dampers).

Overall, it is solid and comfortable with a luxurious ride quality, refined and agile handling with smooth power delivery.

Good sound insulation, with all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects of the build accounted for. 

The cabin can suppress wind, road and tyre noises well, making them barely noticeable at all speeds.

The new BMW iX is in a class of its own. Enveloped by a sportily luxurious appeal that commands a presence like no other. 

A striking exterior, it is well designed with the harmonious proportions, powerful contours, and emphasis on the wide stance and aggressive body sculpture. 

Quality of the equipment and materials installed inside and outside of the car impresses with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.

Ultimately, the new iX is more than just a strong character, it is a great vehicle that offers a sporty outlook, sporty e-performance, practicality and comfort all in one.