Barely noticeable changes on the outside and even less in the cabin
The massive body with defined and somewhat flat wheel arches remained unchanged; the swollen doors with tiny handles are also in place. However, the updated BMW iX has a noticeably changed "face" with new headlights and the same huge false grille. Thus, the headlights now have small almost vertical stripes (previously they were horizontal), and the blind grille has sloping lines - at least for the two main versions, because the M variant has a slightly different design. Finally, who would have doubted it, the nostril frame can now be illuminated.
Other exterior changes to the updated BMW iX crossover include 23-inch wheels (previously the maximum was 22-inch), new body colors, minor changes to the headlights and rear bumper. Plus the M Sport or M Sport Pro packages with slightly different bumpers. In other words, it's a typical mid-life update: nothing radical, but the updated version is immediately recognizable thanks to its notable details.
There are even fewer changes in the cabin. The pair of combined displays, the massive front panel and the separated center console, the sloping door handles - all of this remains in place. However, in addition to the oddly shaped 2-spoke steering wheel, a traditional 3-spoke round M-steering wheel is now available as an option for the basic model versions and as standard equipment for the maximum M-variant.
In addition, the operating system has been updated, a more efficient heat pump has been added, and adaptive cruise control and a Harman Kardon sound system are already offered as standard. An autopilot with an autonomy level of 2+ and multifunctional M-seats are also available as an option.
Important changes inside: more power, more range
With minor changes to the exterior and interior, the BMW iX electric vehicle has undergone considerable changes in terms of technology. Thus, absolutely all versions have increased the power and battery capacity; this even allowed to increase the indexes of a certain modification. For example.
The basic version of the electric vehicle is now the BMW iX xDrive45 (previously there were 40), which includes all-wheel drive and two electric motors with a total capacity of 300 kW or 408 hp and 700 Nm of torque. This ensures acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h. However, perhaps the most important thing was a significant increase in battery capacity - we have about 95 kWh, which should be enough for 602 km of range according to the WLTP measurement rules. By the way, the maximum possible current output during charging has also increased for the base variant - now up to 175 kW.
The mid-range version of the BMW iX xDrive60 (previously 50) offers even more power and torque: 400 kW or 544 hp and 765 Nm. Thanks to this, acceleration has been improved - now only 4.6 seconds - although the top speed has not changed. However, the BMW iX xDrive60 variant is a record-breaker in another way: thanks to the largest battery with a capacity of 109.1 kWh, this crossover can cover up to 701 km according to the WLTP measuring cycle rules. The BMW iX xDrive60 version can receive a current of up to 195 kW when charging.
Finally, the top variant is the BMW iX M70 xDrive (formerly the M60), which, as expected, demonstrates the best power, dynamics, and speed. Thus, a pair of engines produce a total of 485 kW or 659 hp, and the maximum torque reaches 1100 Nm. Accordingly, acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes only 3.8 seconds, and then the BMW iX M70 xDrive crossover is capable of reaching a top speed of 250 km/h. In addition, the BMW iX M70 xDrive version stands out with a horizontal grille, its own wheels, and an extended package with numerous M-accents: seats and steering wheel. The 108.9 kWh battery provides a range of up to 600 km according to WLTP measurement rules.
Orders for the updated BMW iX electric car have already been accepted in Europe, and sales and delivery to customers will start in the spring. As a rule, the Ukrainian BMW representative office keeps pace with the European pace, so soon we can expect the updated BMW iX in Ukraine as well.