Being an M Performance variant, the BMW iX M60 is obviously quite a bit more powerful than the regular iX models, packing an M5-rivaling 610 horsepower and a planet-churning 811 lb-ft (1,100 Nm) of torque. Admittedly, both of those figures are only available for a short period of time, when Launch Control is engaged.

Otherwise, under all normal circumstances, the BMW iX M60 makes 532 horsepower and 749 lb-ft (1,016 Nm). However, during launch control the iX M60 is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds. Top speed is electronically-limited to 155 mph, like most other BMWs.

The iX M60 is expected to deliver a range of up to 280 miles (preliminary EPA estimate). It’s also important to note that the 280 mile range is with 21″ wheels and BMW doesn’t have a figure for the optional 22″ wheels.

Visually, there’s little differentiation between the iX models, though that’s not unusual with M Performance cars. The main visual cues between the iX M60 and the standard models are the 22″ black wheels, the optional Titanium Bronze finish, and the big blue brake calipers. The “M60” badge is also finished in gloss black with Titanium Bronze trim.

The BMW iX M60 carries a base MSRP of $105,100 plus $995 destination and handling. If you want a high-performance SUV, akin to the X5 M Competition, but don’t want the moral burden of burning so much fuel, then the iX M60 is absolutely worth the money.

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Price

The BMW iX xDrive50 is the only iX variant currently on sale in America, so if you want one now, it’s your only choice. At $83,200, it’s priced about the same as the equivalent BMW X5 M50i. However, if you want to wait for the iX M60 performance variant, the price jumps up to $106,095, similar the X5 M. What do you get for your extra money? In terms of options, Adaptive Air Suspension is standard on the iX M60, while it’s an optional extra on the xDrive50. The M60 also gets 21″ wheels as-standard. Gesture Control and the Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system are also standard kit on the M60 but not on the xDrive50.

Power and Performance

What you’re getting for your extra money, in the iX M60, is added power and performance. Both cars use dual electric motors, one at each axle, powered by the same battery pack, but the iX M60 is far more powerful. The standard BMW iX xDrive50 makes 516 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque, while the more expensive M60 makes 610 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque.

According to BMW, the iX xDrive50 takes 4.4 seconds to get from 0-60 mph, which is downright leisurely compared to the M60’s time of 3.6 seconds. So if it’s speed you’re after, the BMW iX M60 delivers it like a proper M car.

Range

All of that added power does come at a price (aside from the, erm… price). For the BMW iX M60, range drops to 280 miles, from the ix Drive50’s 324 EPA-rated miles. Thirty miles might not be a ton but it’s enough to ruin a road trip or two. So if you want the longest range possible, the iX xDrive50 is for you.

Is the BMW iX M60 Worth the Extra Money?

That really depends on what you want. If you want a high-performance SUV, akin to the X5 M Competition, but don’t want the moral burden of burning so much fuel, then the iX M60 is absolutely worth the money. However, if you’re just looking for a good EV SUV, the iX xDrive50 offers almost all of the same luxury and technology at a much lower price, while boasting less range. So, unless performance is your main priority, the iX Drive50 is probably the better deal.

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How is that possible? Well, the all-wheel-drive-only luxobarge comes with a pair of electric motors providing a combined output of 610 horsepower (455 kilowatts). It’s not enough to take the crown for the most powerful BMW ever from the 627-hp M5 CS, but far more impressive than the hp figure is the torque delivered by the two motors.

You’d better sit down for this one because the iX M60 pumps out 1,015 Newton-meters (almost 750 pound-feet) or as much as 1,100 Nm (nearly 810 lb-ft) in Sport Mode with the launch control activated. However, we should point out the maximum power is only available for up to 10 seconds, after which the electric motors are dialed back down to the original output.

As far as range is concerned, it comes as no surprise the M60 is not as thrifty as the non-M versions of the zero-emissions SUVs. According to BMW’s own estimates, it should do anywhere between 499 to 566 kilometers (310 to 351 miles) based on the WLTP cycle courtesy of its standard 111.5-kWh battery pack. For the sake of comparison, the xDrive50 can cover up to 630 km (391 miles) on a single charge per WLTP.

Once the battery is running low, you can charge it 200 kW, in which case it can be replenished from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes. Using a DC fast-charging station will result in 93 miles (150 kilometers) of range within 10 minutes, provided the battery’s state of charge (SOC) is at a minimum of 10%.

Even though it’s a big and bulky SUV, the drag coefficient is a relatively low 0.26 as long as the vehicle is in the aforementioned Sport Mode. It doesn’t look all that different compared to the standard iX since the changes are limited to blue calipers for the upgraded M brakes, optional 22-inch aero wheels with a Titanium Bronze look, and black M badges with a bronze contour to mirror the XM Concept.

Another important feature is the implementation of air suspension on both axles, complete with electronically controlled shock absorbers. The engineers have also added rear-wheel steering to lower the turning circle and make the iX M60 a bit more agile while being pushed hard through the corners.

BMW will showcase its fastest electric vehicle ever on January 5 at CES in Las Vegas where it will also present a futuristic in-car entertainment system along with new tech for changing the body color of a vehicle. The global rollout of the M-branded electric SUV is scheduled to commence in June.

Source: BMW

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The first-ever iX M60 kickstarts the high-performance division’s celebrations as 2022 marks half a century of the “most powerful letter in the world.” It will be positioned above the iX xDrive50, but with barely any different changes in terms of design, save for some special badging akin to the XM along with new black wheels. The changes will be on a more subtle level compared to the i4 eDrive40 and the significantly more aggressive i4 M50 with its larger air intakes and other revisions.

We’ve heard through the grapevine the hotter M60 will have over 600 horsepower courtesy of dual electric motors – one mounted at the front and one for the rear. To be offered exclusively with xDrive, the range-topping iX is said to take a little over three and a half seconds to complete the sprint to 60 mph from a standstill. For those who are more familiar with the 62 mph (100 km/h) test, the job will be done in less than four seconds.

If these performance numbers seem a bit familiar, it’s because the aforementioned i4 M50 is just about as quick in terms of acceleration. Rumors say it will be blessed with the bigger 115.5-kWh battery pack, but expect the range to take a hit compared to the iX xDrive50 since the engineers have favored performance over efficiency. As a refresher, the current top-tier variant can cover 391 miles (630 km) before running out of battery juice.

Depending on where you’ll be watching the livestream, it’s scheduled to kick off this upcoming Wednesday, on January 5 at 8 PM CET / 7 PM GMT / 2 PM EDT.

Source: BMW

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Official images of the BMW iX M60 have emerged onto social media to show the SUV’s exterior design in full. Yes, we know what you are probably thinking by now – it looks just about the same as the xDrive50 model. Surprisingly, the changes over the non-M version are rather subtle, up to the point you can’t even tell them apart. The biggest giveaway is the blacked-out alloy wheels, which might be a little bit larger in size.

A closer look at the front fenders shows a small M logo, and speaking of badging, the tailgate carries a fairly large M60 script. Much like the wheels we mentioned earlier, all logos are finished in black with a white outline to mirror the look of the badges seen on the XM concept last year. If it weren’t for the wheels, blue M-branded brake calipers, and different badging, it would be borderline impossible to identify this version as the M60 since the rest of the design is virtually identical.

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As far as the technical specifications are concerned, a previous report stated the BMW iX M60 will have as much as 611 horsepower (619 PS) from a pair of electric motors granting an all-wheel-drive setup. Acceleration from a standstill to 62 mph (100 km/h) is said to take 3.9 seconds or 3.7 seconds until 60 mph (96 km/h), thus perfectly matching the i4 M50.

Rumor has it sportier iX will cover up to 575 kilometers (357 miles), which is likely the WLTP rating for the model that will be sold in Europe. Logic tells us the M60 will utilize the larger 111.5-kWh battery pack rather than the 76.6-kWh pack of the base xDrive40 available on the Old Continent.

We will have to wait until tomorrow for the official debut with all the details. As for pricing, the M60 is going to cost significantly more than the xDrive50 available in the United States from $83,200 and in Germany from €100,000.

You can check out the full photo gallery at the first source link below.

Source: NetCarShow, cmarzen_209 / Instagram

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And if you’re a techy, you’ll have plenty of gadgets and nifty features to play with. Today, we’re going to outline some of the best and coolest features of the BMW iX. Things like the impressive driving range or power are excluded for now, even though they’re absolutely worth a mention.

5. Aero Wheels

The aero wheels are not only functional, but also good looking. They’re equal parts stylish and functional, as they do reduce aerodynamic drag significantly enough to warrant getting them. Plus, they add to the car’s interesting, more futuristic aesthetic. There’s no chance anyone mistakes a BMW iX with a BMW X5 and that’s a very good thing. If BMW wants to pull X5 customers over to electrification, the iX needs to look and feel more special.

4. iDrive 8

BMW’s latest iDrive 8 not only features an all-new screen but the graphics are massively improved. They’re crisp, futuristic looking, and easy on the eyes. It’s easier to read and navigate than the current system’s stark black, white, and red color palette. More importantly, BMW improved functionality a ton, revamping how the UI works and making it more intuitive. There are also interesting new features, such as being able to being the entire climate control system up on the screen or using digital versions of BMW’s preset buttons at the top of the screen.

The new BMW iDrive 8 was designed with a focus on dialogue-based interaction using natural language and on touch operation. There are also new features which expanded capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which uses a new graphic to communicate with the vehicle’s occupants.

3. Electrochromic Sunroof

This single-piece transparent glass roof spans the entire interior without any cross struts to break it up. It is also the largest glass roof ever fitted in a BMW model. The roof features PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) technology for shading the interior. The panoramic glass roof’s transparency is altered by applying a voltage to the middle layer of film.

It takes less than a second for the crystals to distribute themselves in a disorderly pattern that creates the effect of shade. This electrochromic shading can be activated and deactivated using a button in the roof function centre. The shading mode is activated automatically once the BMW iX has been parked.

2. Exterior and Interior Light Dance

When you walk up to the car, the BMW iX now performs “Great Entrance Moments”. How is that possible? Using UWB (Ultra Wide Band) radio technology, the BMW iX knows when the driver is approaching it and knows exactly where the driver is, within a few centimeters. Once the driver gets within three meters, the iX performs a bit of a welcome but doing an exterior and interior light dance, unlocking the car, creating a light carpet next to the door, and prepping the interior. While all of that is happening, the iDrive system is getting ready and all of the car’s interior seating surfaces are heating up, if it’s cold outside.

The feature will be available at the end of 2021 and it was just announced today by Apple as well.  Apple and the BMW Group have been working closely together with
the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to develop the Digital Key Release 3.0 specification for UWB, which will serve as a global standard for both the automotive industry and smartphone manufacturers.

1. BMW Remote Theft Recorder

This new feature works in conjunction with the overhead interior camera which is triggered when the alarm system goes off. The iX’s owner is then notified on its smartphone and he’s able to access and save the pictures from both the interior camera and the cameras at the front and rear of the vehicle and on its exterior mirrors. The images can also be combined to form a 360-degree panoramic view.

And while the BMW Remote Theft Recorder is meant to be a safety feature, the overhead camera can be used in a fun way as well. The driver and passengers can take snapshots during a road trip, allowing them to capture special moments and share them with friends and family. Pictures can be taken by voice command, gesture or touch control, and there is also the option of a self-timer (three second delay).

The camera system can even be set to only take a photo when at least one of the occupants is smiling. The camera operates in HDR mode, while the night mode produces sharp black-and-white images even at night or in low light conditions. Pictures can be shared by simply scanning a QR code in the control display with any smartphone connected to the car via WiFi.

Bonus Gimmicky Feature

The BMW roundel on the hood has a functional component. It now serves as the filler neck for the washer fluid sent to the windscreen and rear window wipers. It opens and closes again – once the fluid has been topped up – with a gentle push. A gimmick? Yes. Useful? Certainly!

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For starters, the BMW iX is the first bespoke EV chassis from Bavaria since the i3. Oddly, the BMW iX chassis is going to be a one-off and won’t be used for another BMW product ever again. That seems a bit at odds with modern manufacturing but it seems BMW changed direction, in terms of chassis development, after the iX was already in development. Still, that bespoke, lightweight architecture — developed from high-strength steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber — gives the iX an advantage over some of its competitors.

At market launch, in Q1 of 2022, there will be two models available — the BMW iX xDrive40 and iX xDrive50. The former will be the entry-level iX, packing specs and options akin to those of the BMW X5 xDrive40i. Which means it will get a net 71 kWh battery pack, dual motors, one at each axle, for a combined 326 horsepower and a very healthy 464 lb-ft of torque. According to BMW, 0-100 km/h (62 mph) takes 6.1 seconds, with a max range of 425 km (264 miles).

The BMW iX xDrive50 is going to be the headline variant, packing a new 105.2 kWh net battery pack and dual motors to make a very competitive 523 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque. BMW claims the iX xDrive50 can nail 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds, while achieving a range of 630 km (over 300 miles, per EPA).

BMW also announced a range-topping, high-performance model, the BMW iX M60, which will pack 600 horsepower from dual motors. BMW didn’t announced the M60’s official range figure yet but it did say that the iX M60 should consume around 21 kWh per 100 km (62 miles), which equates to around 2.9 miles per kWh. We’re assuming the M60 uses the same 105 kWh battery pack as the iX but BMW didn’t say so definitively.

Much like the BMW i4, the new BMW iX will have adaptive regenerative braking that can automatically adapt to different terrain, via GPS, traffic or various other road conditions. For instance, when approaching a junction, the iX will automatically use heavy regen braking, to slow the car down dramatically and recoup some energy. Or, while driving along a major highway, it will automatically use low regen braking, or none at all, so that when you lift off the accelerator, you get a freewheeling effect, for better efficiency. Alternatively, the driver can manually choose the amount of regen braking and override the automatic system if they so choose.

Also like the BMW i4, the iX gets a new high-efficiency heat pump that can use ambient heat, heat from dehumidification, and waste heat from the electric motors to increase efficiency. For instance, during stop and go traffic, during inclement weather when a high level of heat is required, the heat pump can increase efficiency by up to 40 percent.

The BMW iX also comes with advanced battery cooling and heating, a system comprised of three heating/cooling circuits, interconnected with electric valves and a shared expansion tank. If the temperature is cold outside, the system can use waste heat from the electric motors to warm up the battery. If it’s hot outside, a two-level cooling module, a refrigerant compressor, two evaporators, a water-cooled condenser, and a high-performance control unit combine to help cool the battery down.

All of that advanced cooling also helps with charging. The BMW iX xDrive 50 can charge its battery at 200 kW, making it one of the faster charging EVs on the market. With a battery charge at 10 percent, using a 200 kW DC fast charger, the BMW iX can recoup 150 km (93 miles) of range in just ten minutes. However, the iX xDrive40 can only charge at up to 150 kW, which isn’t as fast but has more compatible chargers, and can recoup 95 km (53 miles) in ten minutes. For the BMW iX xDrive 50, a 35 minute charge on a compatible DC fast charger will get the battery from 10-80 percent. Due to the xDrive40 model having a smaller battery density, it only takes 31 minutes to it to charge the same amount.

Both vehicles can be charged with 11 kWh Level 2 home chargers, obviously, but it will take a lot longer. An iX xDrive50 will take eleven hours to charge from flat to full on a Level 2 wall box charger. Again, due to the smaller battery, the iX xDrive40 takes less than eight hours. There will be an option to allow for 22 kW charging at home in the future, as well.

From the outside, the BMW iX is an interesting looking SUV. The front end is going to be controversial, due to its 4 Series-esque kidney “grille” design. There’s no getting around the polarization of the fanbase from the new grille but, at least on the iX, it’s far more functional than ever before.

For starters, the kidney grille panel on the BMW iX is actually called an Intelligence Panel, as it houses all of the front sensors for the car. Additionally, it houses a heating element, to prevent snow from hindering the sensors’ abilities. Taking things one step further, the iX’s Intelligence Panel is coated in a self-healing wrap. BMW was clever enough to realize that rock chips and road debris are going to destroy that big, flat, front-facing panel over the years and will look horrific if not maintained. So a self-healing wrap was applied, allowing all minor scratches and chips to be fixed simply by applying heat from a heat gun or even a blow dryer. Pretty clever.

Overall, the shape of the BMW iX is rather handsome. It has great SUV proportions, short overhangs, clean lines, and some interesting design bits. There’s clearly some inspiration from the BMW i3 in the D-pillar, the flush-mounted door handles look slick, and the aero wheels are really cool in person. The BMW iX is also impressively aerodynamic, with a coefficient of drag of just 0.25, making it one of the most aerodynamic production vehicles ever made.

I’ve seen the BMW iX up close, in person, sat in it, and fooled around with all of its features, and I must say that I can away rather impressed. It’s a much better looking car than I imagined it would be and its interior is truly fantastic. You can read my first impressions here.

Speaking of interior, the BMW iX features the most ambitious cabin of any Bimmer since the i3. In fact, it might even be more ambitious than the i3 because it pushes the boundaries of luxury and cabin technology for BMW. We’ve seen the demos of its new iDrive screen and digital instrument panel, so I won’t rehash it here. However, it does work significantly different than any other BMW infotainment and is a massive leap forward.

The steering wheel is an odd shape but it looks different from most BMW wheels and seems futuristic. All of the seat controls were moved from the side of the seat to the door panels, which is a bit Mercedes-Benz-esque, so I’m surprised BMW did it. Though, it does look a bit more premium, especially since all of the controls are Swarovski crystal in the xDrive50 and M60 models, along with the iDrive controller and drive selector. In iX xDrive40 models, the seat controls are metallic.

Above the driver, there’s also a massive glass sunroof with electrochromic shading. So while the roof doesn’t actually open, the push of a button can make it either opaque or transparent. This is new tech for a BMW but the Mercedes-Benz S-Class had such tech at least a generation ago. Still, it’s very cool.

The BMW iX also gets augmented reality navigation in the driver’s display. A live feed of the road ahead is projected onto the display, with digital graphic overlays added to it, to help the driver navigate tricky areas. For instance, an arrow will be displayed on the screen, over the live feed of the road ahead, to show the driver which way to go.

When you walk up to the car, it now performs “Great Entrance Moments”. Using UWB (Ultra Wide Band) radio technology, the BMW iX knows when the driver is approaching it and knows exactly where the driver is, within a few centimeters. Once the driver gets within three meters, the iX performs a bit of a welcome but doing an exterior and interior light dance, unlocking the car, creating a light carpet next to the door, and prepping the interior. While all of that is happening, the iDrive system is getting ready and all of the car’s interior seating surfaces are heating up, if it’s cold outside.

There’s also an interior camera that can be used as either an automotive selfie stick or a theft deterrent. Passengers can use the camera to take photos of themselves and share them straight to social media from the iDrive screen. The camera shoots in HDR during the day but also in sharp black and white night vision at night.

If someone tries to steal the car, the owner is notified by an alert on their smartphone. After which, they can record or take pictures of the perp with both the interior and exterior cameras and save all of the data to their phone. Snazzy.

The BMW iX xDrive50 will be the first iX to launch in Q1 of 2022 and will come with a starting price tag of $83,200, with $995 destination. That makes it barely more expensive than the $82,800 of the BMW X5 M50i. Considering the iX’s range, power, style, and tech, it seems like it’s going to be incredibly compelling for existing X5 customers. We’re all very curious to see how well it sells but, after seeing it in person, I think it will be a big hit among customers.

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With that large battery, though, the BMW iX is said to have a range of 600 km (373 miles) on the WLTP-cycle. For the U.S., BMW is claiming around 300 miles of range. The BMW iX xDrive50 is also said to have a 0-60 mph time of under five seconds, though BMW was again unspecific.

But there is one model that hasn’t been communicated yet. The top iX variant is rumored to be labeled as the BMW iX M60 and will likely arrive in 2022-2023. The M60 is tuned by the M Performance Automobile Division so it’s expected to have a more aggressive bodystyle, along with some ride improvements. The power output is also the highest of the range, for a rumored 560 horsepower. This will be BMW M’s second-tuned electric car, after the upcoming BMW i4 M50.

In terms of charging, all BMW iX models will have 200 kW charging speed on compatible DC fast chargers. At the moment, that’s faster than anything except the fastest of Teslas. At that speed, the BMW iX can go from 10-80 percent battery in just 40 minutes. There’s also a quick ten-minute fast charge, that can quickly 120 km (75 miles) of charge to the BMW iX xDrive50 or 90 km (56 miles) to the xDrive40.

Some of the cooler features available on the BMW iX will be the massive panoramic sunroof, which will be the largest sunroof fitted to any BMW model and will also come with electrostatic shading. There will also be a Bowers & Wilkins 4D surround sound system, with thirty speakers, eight of which are in the car’s headrests. Being 4D, there are also magnetically controlled shakers in the front seats.

Autonomous driving Level 2+ is likely to be onboard as well, but BMW has been quiet on the front over the last few months. Level 3 and 4 are rumored to still be ways out.

As for pricing, in Germany, the BMW iX xDrive40 will start at 77,300 EUR, though BMW didn’t announce pricing for the xDrive50 model in its home market just yet. In the U.S. market, though, pricing for the BMW iX xDrive50 will begin in the mid-$80,000 range. Naturally, the BMW iX M60 will add a decent premium over the xDrive50 models.

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