With the emerging trend of EVs in our country, BMW has also entered the segment with its lavish iX e-car. This electric SUV will compete with the Mercedes EQC, Audi e-Tron and Jaguar i-PACE. The BMW iX is one of three pure electric vehicles that BMW plans to launch by mid-2022. The version sold in India is the iX xDrive 40, which offers a claimed range (WLTP cycle) of 425km. With the ARAI test cycle, the rated range will be notably higher.
Aside from its electric powertrain, the iX also brings to India a new generation of BMW design; one that is a lot more in your face and near concept car-like, and that goes for the exterior as well as the interior. This first all-electric BMW SUV’s front is decorated with a large kidney-shaped panel with a triangular pattern on it. The panels are loaded in place of the grille and pack the number of cameras, radars and sensors required for driver-assist systems.
The all-LED front headlamps are the slimmest of all the BMW cars and give it an aggressive and attractive front look. Due to its aerodynamic body and a drag coefficient of 0.25, the car has a good range which is the most important feature of an electric car. There is less road and wind noise in the interior which provides a relaxing and comfortable experience throughout the drive.
This beauty sits on 22-inch chunky alloy wheels that are a good match for the Indian roads. The wheel arches on the front and rear fender are quite muscular. In addition to that, other notable details include flush-fitting door handles, frameless windows and sleek LED taillights. BMW used carbon fibre, 50% recycled aluminium and steel in the construction of the body of this electric SUV which makes it lighter in weight and environment friendly too.
The BMW iX xDrive 40 comes with a 76.6kWh battery and the dual electric motors work together to generate 326 horsepower. BMW is providing a 2.3kW, single-phase charger as standard for domestic sockets and an 11kW AC wall box charger as well. Using the 2.3kW charger, the battery can be charged from 0-100% in 36 hours, while the 11kW charger can do the same in 7 hours.
The all-new BMW iX SUV also supports DC fast charging and can charge the battery from 10-80% in 73 minutes at 50kW capacity, and in just 31 minutes if you use a 150kW charger. The top-end 150kW charger is not yet available in India but one can find a 75kW charger in some regions near Delhi.