German automaker BMW has released pricing and specifications for the new high performance variant of its first SUV to be built on an all electric platform, the IX M60.
The M60 follows the earlier release of the xDrive40, xDrive40 Sport and xDrive50 Sport variants, and it has a breathtaking price ($222,900 before additions and on road costs) to go with its breath-taking acceleration of 3.8 seconds (o to 100km/h).
The iX – as we reported in this review – the IX range is an impressive shift to electric technologies for BMW, which apart from the i3 that it launched nearly a decade ago, has focused mostly on electric versions of existing petrol and diesel models.
The M60 is the most powerful of the iX variants, with quicker acceleration and considerably more torque (1100Nm). It shares the same sized 112kWh as the xDrive50 variant but trades in range for speed, with a WTLP estimate of 566kms, vs 620kms for the xDrive50.
The iX is a beast of a vehicle, and not exactly streamlined. Well, BMW would insist it is very aerodynamic, but it the slower variants will consume an average 22.5kWh per 100kms, 23kWh for the xDrive50, while the consumption for the M60 variant has not been released.
Happily for the customer, they get five years free charging from ChargeFox charging installations at part of the deal.
That is good news because at those consumption rates, it doesn’t give a significant lowering of running costs (if using a public fast charger at 60c/kWh), although the current surge in petrol and diesel prices does help.
Charging at home would still deliver significant savings, although how much that matters to the owner of a $223,000 luxury SUV is a moot point.
BMW is releasing the iX M60 as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations and is keen to promote its environmental qualities.
It says the cars and battery packs are made with 100 per cent fgree electrions, a include a high proportion of secondary aluminium and recycled plastic. Interior aspects include FSC-certified wood and other natural materials, while recycled fishing nets serve as raw material for the floor coverings and floor mats.
The supply of cobalt and lithium required for the high-voltage batteries is sourced by BMW from controlled sources in Australia and Morocco and delivered to the battery cell manufacturers.
It says the design principle of the electric motors makes it possible to dispense with the use of rare earth metals in the rotors of the drives. And, for good measure, the company acquires aluminium produced using electricity from solar energy plants.
Its inclusions are:
It offers five colours for no added cost: Alpine White (non-metallic), Black Sapphire, Sophisto Grey, Phytonic Blue, Blue Ridge Mountain, and Oxide Grey. It offers Storm Bay and Aventurine Red for an extra $2,600.
And for another $3,500, you can have heated steering wheels, heated arm rests, and even heated instrument panel lower section, beneath the steering wheel and glove box lid, because some things must never get cold.
The BMW iX M60 will be officially launched in Australia in the middle of the year.
Giles Parkinson is founder and editor of The Driven, and also edits and founded the Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid web sites. He has been a journalist for nearly 40 years, is a former business and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review, and owns a Tesla Model 3.
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