BMW to begin deliveries of long-range iX electric SUV variants this year

BMW will release its iX electric SUV in two variants before the last quarter of 2021 when it intends to commence deliveries to customers, it announced today.

First unveiled in late 2020, the 5G-capable, fast-charging xDrive40 and xDrive50 variants boast more than 400km and 600km driving range respectively according to the European WLTP test cycle, thanks to very generous 70kWh and 100kWh batteries.

“We made a promise and we will deliver on that promise: the market launch of the BMW iX will get underway at the end of this year with a two-pronged approach – in the form of the BMW iX xDrive40 and BMW iX xDrive50,” said Pieter Nota, board member for BMW group said in a statement.

The xDrive40 will deliver 240kW for acceleration from 0-100km/hr in 6 seconds , while the xDrive50 ups those figures with 370kW to spring from a standing start to 100km/hr in 5 seconds.

A maximum charging rate of 150kW for the xDrive40 and 200kW for the xDrive50 mean the two vehicles can add 90km or 120km charging time respectively in as little as ten minutes.

It appears BMW is not skimping on digital technology either, promising 20 times the computer processing power of its previous models meaning double the amount of sensor data can be processed, and 5G capabilities enabled.

“We are setting new industry standards with the technology in the BMW iX,” said Frank Weber, board member for development n a statement.

“The iX has more computing power for data processing and more powerful sensor technology than the newest vehicles in our current line-up, is 5G-capable, will be given new and improved automated driving and parking functions and uses the high-performing fifth generation of our electric drive system.”

Billed by the German carmaker is not so much an SUV but an “SAV” (sports activity vehicle), both are designed to appeal to  sustainably-minded drivers not only in their ability to drive with zero tailpipe emissions but also in the use of material in the motor and interior.

These include leather tanned with natural olive leaf extracts and other ingredients, FSC-certified wood and floor coverings and mats made from fishing nets. The electric motors also avoid the use of rare earth metals, says BMW.

“Rather than simply passing responsibility on to the supplier network, we take responsibility together with our direct suppliers,” said Dr Andreas Wendtboard member responsible for the purchasing and supply.

“In so doing, we tap into our many years of experience and create processes for attaining greater transparency and traceability.”

Additionally, BMW is procuring the cobalt and lithium needed for its battery cell suppliers from Australia and Morocco. The extraction of cobalt from Morocco has been mired in reports of exploitation of workers, which BMW counters saying it is sourcing from “controlled sources”.

Local pricing has not yet been announced and we expect to know more prior to launch later in 2021.