The
BMW iX was met with some controversy when it was first introduced to the world. It was a shock to the visual system to be honest. That large grille and its somewhat shapeless side profile was a departure from what we expect from
BMW. Anyways, fast forward a few months and I was given the opportunity to get behind the wheel of this
all-electric SUV.
Its visual appearance is still up for debate. In my opinion, seeing the car up close makes it look better than it does in pictures. While the initial sighting of the car was quite shocking, I actually quite like it now. It is huge but when you look closer you will notice some neat details.
For example the front grille panel thingy is a solid piece with an interesting design. It is made of a self-healing plastic. As soon as it gets hot it will fill chips left by small stones. The lights are also an interesting feature. As are the large air-vents on either side of the bumper.
While the side of the car might not feature any standout design features, I do particularly like the flush door handles. On closer inspection you will notice
iX branding in the rear C pillar. The rear is minimalist, with a somewhat sporty element. On this particular vehicle you will also notice some matte gold trim which contrasts rather nicely with the body colour. Large wheels complete the overall look, which as mentioned has grown on me.
Open the door and you will notice some carbon fibre. This is because the
iX makes use of an improved version of
BMW’s carbon core architecture. Now known as the
Carbon Cage, the vehicle body comprises
carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) interior frame and pillar components inside of a metal space frame — an aluminium floor assembly, and steel exterior side frames for extra strength and crash protection. Fitting a
CFRP side frame instead of a conventional steel part is said to shave several kilograms off the vehicle’s weight.
Ok, let's take a look at the interior of the
iX then shall we. This is my favourite part of the car.
BMW nailed this interior. The cabin is void of buttons and clutter. A single facia panel housed the two digital screens and air-vents. There is no centre console so
BMW decided to add a beautifully crafted wooden panel that extends from the arm-rest. Here you will find the rotary dial that controls the infotainment system, even though its touchscreen. The buttons for various functions have been embedded into the wood. It’s very ‘zen’, very earthy and a conversation piece.
Everything that you interact with inside has a different feel to that of other
BMW models. The infotainment screen is massive and clear. It can be set to display Apple CarPlay or it can display a screensaver which is linked to the driving mode that you are in. It’s easy to use and just so visually appealing. The seats are comfortable, the one-piece rear seatback is also a nice touch, however I’m not a fan of the quilted leather. I feel as if the seats should have had more shape to them. It just looks as if your granny made you some seat covers for your birthday. Anyways, moving on…
Space inside is hugely impressive. This
iX is as big as an X5 yet there is more front and rear legroom. The boot is also massive and the sense of space throughout the cabin is admirable. Close the doors and one can hardly hear noise from outside.
Push the start button though and a futuristic sound plays through the system. The
BMW iX features a synthetic soundtrack which was co-developed with Oscar-winning film score composer Hans Zimmer. It plays through the audio system and rises and falls with throttle application and speed. It’s a bit strange at first but after a while it became enjoyable. It’s unobtrusive, calming and wouldn't be out of place in the new Dune movie.
The
iX is powered by a 111kWh battery, one of the largest on offer. It develops 385kW and 765Nm of torque which, remember, is instant. Step on the accelerator and your passengers start blacking out, that or they get very nauseous because the sheer force on the body, the visual element of speed which is not reaffirmed by any engine sound can be very unnerving. From standstill this massive chunk of materials will hit 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds.
However, this is important. The performance is a by-product of the efficiency. The
iX50 has a big powerful battery so that it can cover distance.
BMW claims around 600km worth of range, on a full charge I saw around 580km which is impressive considering the fact that it will cost around R588 to fully charge this thing at a public
DC charger.
Out on the road the
iX offers an incredibly comfortable driving experience. It floats on over the surface of the road, it deals with imperfections impeccably. The seats offer massage functions which adds to the level of luxury. Not once throughout my time with the car did I worry about range. I charged it once within a week, not because I had to but I wanted to see how long it would take.
A
DC charger that charges at 60kWh will take around two hours to charge the
iX, but that's completely empty. I sat for around 1 hour and went from 130km of range to 580km.
I can word spew more about this thing but I need to end this story. Despite its controversial design, the
iX is an impeccable machine. It has the ability to cover distance while ensuring that you remain cocooned in comfort. As far as
EV vehicles go, this is a pretty good alternative to an
X5 or even and
X6 and one which I would most likely choose.
Credit : Justin Jacobs
