Introduced in 2021 as BMW’s first purpose-built all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), the BMW iX defined a new chapter for the brand with its pioneering design, cutting-edge technology and dynamic electrified drive. This latest iteration builds on its success with a refreshed sportier design, increased system power output and a significant boost in range – now offering up to 685km¹ (WLTP) on a single charge.

New model designations reflect the new BMW iX’s increased performance, available as the BMW iX xDrive45 (power consumption combined according to WLTP: 20.9 kWh/100km); CO2 class: A), the BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport (power consumption combined according to WLTP: 21.0 kWh/100km); CO2 class: A) and the range-topping BMW iX M70 xDrive (power consumption combined according to WLTP: 23.6 kWh/100km); CO2 class: A).

Thanks to redeveloped performance electronics, advancements in battery technology and new measures to enhance overall efficiency, power consumption in the statutory WLTP test cycle has been improved by more than eight per cent (depending on the model derivative and specified equipment). In the new BMW iX xDrive60 (which succeeds the BMW iX xDrive50) this corresponds to around 54km of additional range.

Redesigned trims contribute towards a bolder exterior presence which continues inside the cabin. The most significant changes come with an enhanced M Sport trim, which brings sculpted front and rear aprons, new aerodynamically optimised 21- and 22-inch M light-alloy wheels, among other exclusive design features. An additional set of 23-inch M light-alloy wheels are available for the first time and are unique within this segment.

All derivatives will continue to be produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, the BMW Group's largest European production plant, centre of competence for electric drivetrains and the lead plant for premium and luxury class models. First customer deliveries will arrive in the Ireland from May 2025. The new BMW iX is priced from €91,590 RRP.

^{*All figures relating to output, charging capacity, performance, energy consumption and range are provisional. **Electronically limited. *** Preliminary retail pricing, correct at the time of publication – the latest prices can be found at www.bmw.ie.}

Unique in this segment: A range of up to 685km.
Through advancements in battery cell technology, net energy storage capacity is significantly improved across the new BMW iX model range. The BMW iX xDrive45 receives the most substantial uplift with an increase of around 30 per cent to 94.8 kWh. Net energy content in the BMW iX xDrive60 rises to 109.1 kWh (compared with the equivalent predecessor model), while the BMW iX M70 xDrive provides 108.9 kWh of usable capacity.

In addition, new inverter technology for the power electronics across all models enhances the energy efficiency of the drive system. This ensures a highly efficient transfer of energy from the high-voltage battery to the electric motor. These improvements, in combination with a larger battery for the BMW iX xDrive45 and other efficiency-enhancing measures across all model variants, results in a range increase of up to 40 per cent, depending on the model.

With a WLTP range of up to 685km, the new BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport sets a benchmark in its competitive environment. Meanwhile, the BMW iX xDrive45 can travel up to 601km (WLTP) on a single charge, and up to 589km is achievable in the BMW iX M70 xDrive. In addition, by activating the MAX RANGE function drivers can boost their vehicle’s remaining range by up to 25 per cent before a charge stop. Adaptive recuperation, weight-and-friction optimised wheel bearings and high-efficiency label A+ tyres also contribute towards increased overall efficiency.

Increased performance for all model variants.
With an electric motor on both the front and rear axle, all model variants of the new BMW iX feature electric all-wheel drive. The drive system has been fine-tuned and the power electronics further developed to deliver noticeably more power.

The new BMW iX xDrive45 delivers a system output of 408 hp – an 82 hp increase over the BMW iX xDrive40 – shaving 1.0 second off the 0-100km/h sprint, which now takes 5.1 seconds. The total output for the BMW iX xDrive60 rises by 21 hp (versus the BMW iX xDrive50) to 544 hp, enabling a 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.6 seconds. Both models have an electronically limited top speed of 199km/h.

The BMW iX M70 xDrive offers an even more thrilling driving experience where a system output of 659 hp (a 40 hp increase over the BMW iX M60 xDrive) can be unleashed in Sport mode. A maximum torque of 1,100 Nm is available when Launch Control is activated. The new BMW iX M70 xDrive accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 249km/h.

A bold exterior design enhanced with elevated trims.
The new BMW iX exudes a contemporary exterior design that combines imposing styling and characteristic SAV proportions. Precisely crafted details and clearly-defined surfaces create a distinctive appearance that radiates luxury.

A selection of seven new exterior paint finishes are available with this latest iteration, including Arctic Race Blue metallic, Dune Grey metallic, Carbon Black metallic, BMW Individual Frozen Deep Grey metallic, Tanzanite Blue metallic as well as BMW Individual Frozen Pure Grey metallic and Space Silver metallic (both available from summer 2025). The BMW Individual Exterior Line Titanium Bronze can also be selected as an option for xDrive45 and xDrive60 model variants to provide further personalisation.

At the front end is a redesigned BMW kidney grille embellished with vertical and horizontal lines and bordered by slim frame, which for the first time can be illuminated with the optionally-available BMW Iconic Glow (standard for the BMW iX M70 xDrive). This design language carries across into the Adaptive LED headlights with new vertical elements for the daytime running lights and turn indicators as well as diagonal lines within the headlight enclosure. An additional new feature of the headlights is City Light technology, which intuitively lights both the pavement and road ahead in urban environments. In the lower portion of the body, the front and rear aprons gain an even higher proportion of body-colour painted surfaces as standard promoting a sporty elegant appearance.

An enhanced M Sport trim gives the new BMW iX a particularly sporty appearance, introducing new design features including a sculpted front bumper and rear diffuser finished in high-gloss black, powerful lines, large air intakes at the front and vertical reflectors at the rear. Darkened M Shadow Line headlights and taillights are now available as part of the M Sport Pro package and are standard for the BMW iX M70 xDrive.

The range-topping model is equipped with the M Sport trim and M Sport Pro package as standard and additionally features a model-specific BMW kidney grille adorned with the M logo, black exterior mirror caps and exclusive 22-inch M light-alloy wheels.

An optimised chassis and suspension setup, and new M light-alloy wheels.
The chassis and suspension setup of the new BMW iX have been specifically tailored to the increased performance of the drive system and the changed weight balance resulting from the new high-voltage battery technology. A hydraulic rear axle support bearing helps to create an optimum balance of sporty driving dynamics and ride comfort.

The suspension technology comprises a double-wishbone front axle, a five-link rear axle and electric steering with Servotronic function and variable ratio. The BMW iX M70 xDrive is also equipped with adaptive two-axle ride level control, electronically controlled shock absorbers, M-specific tuning and anti-roll bars, Integral Active Steering – providing maximum manoeuvrability and rear-wheel steering – and a sports brake system with red-painted callipers. The new BMW iX is fitted as standard with Hill Descent Control (HDC) and the option to deactivate Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

21- and 22-inch M light-alloy wheels are available in four new designs as part of the revised M Sport trim, M Sport Pro package or as standard on the BMW iX M70 xDrive. An additional set of 23-inch light-alloy wheels can be specified and are unique in this competitive environment. All 22-inch and 23-inch wheels are combined with tyres featuring integrated foam absorbers for improved noise insulation.

More efficiency when charging the high-voltage battery.
The new BMW iX xDrive60 and BMW iX M70 xDrive can be charged via direct current at an increased output of 195 kW, while the BMW iX xDrive45 is capable of up to 175 kW. All derivates of the new SAV can also be charged via alternating current at a rate of up to 22 kW².

Optimised pre-conditioning of the high-voltage battery and heating of the storage system using the heat pump from the vehicle's air-conditioning system contribute towards particularly efficient charging times. In addition, the charging current control system has been further developed in order to make the best possible use of the higher charging capacities. The charging socket outlet of the new BMW iX now has a release button.

The latest-generation SAV is suitable for the Plug & Charge Multi Contract function and the Connected Home Charging option enables solar- and load-optimised charging as well as cost-optimised charging based on a dynamic electricity tariff.

An improved user experience for on-the-go charging.
The new BMW iX offers an improved user experience during route planning with optimised charging. Thanks to an intuitive user interface, customers can enter their destination in advance in the My BMW App, as well as their preferred departure and arrival times and any desired charging stops. The route suggested by the BMW Maps navigation system can then be customised to include charging stations. Preferred charging station providers and the desired charging status upon arrival can be inputted just as conveniently. In an optimised route view, the driver is provided with precise information about the availability of charging stations, the required charging time and the impact this will have on their expected arrival time. The costs for charging and the infrastructure in the vicinity of the respective charging station are also outlined within this view.

A wide variety of systems for automated driving and parking.
The driver assistance systems available in the new BMW iX set new standards in functionality and reliability. As standard, all model variants are fitted with Driving Assistant Plus including Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go functionality, front collision warning with brake intervention and Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant and a rear camera.Parking Assistant Professional is available optionally as part of the Technology Pack, enabling the vehicle to be parked and manoeuvred using a smartphone.

An interior design elevated by the enhanced M Sport trim.
The interior ambienceof the new BMW iX, characterised by generous space, contemporary design elements and progressive luxury, can now be elevated with the sporty design features of the newly revised M Sport trim. This trim level brings new M multifunction seats – finished in Alcantara/Sensatec or natural leather as an option – which offer enhanced lateral support and a striking new design. M Sport customers additionally benefit from a three-spoke M leather steering wheel, Dark Silver trim finishers, an anthracite headlining, M-specific pedals and a high-gloss black centre console.

A high level of standard equipment and a compelling options list.
The standard equipment of the new BMW iX includes an alarm system, a Welcome and Goodbye animation, Adaptive LED headlights, Comfort Access, heated seats for driver and front passenger, a heated steering wheel and Driving Assistant Plus. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Head-up Display and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System are also available with the standard model. Customers choosing the BMW iX M70 xDrive receive additional standard features, including Integral Active Steering, Adaptive two-axle Air Suspension, BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille, the M Sport Pro package and sun-protection glass.

Other optional extras for all model variants include the Technology Pack (including Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant Professional), the Panoramic Glass Roof Sky Lounge, Clear & Bold interior components (made from polished crystal glass/plastic in glass styling), four-zone climate control (standard for BMW iX M70 xDrive) and an automatic soft-close function for the doors. The Comfort Pack (including Active seat ventilation for the front seats, rear seat heating and heated armrests/door panels) and the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System are also available optionally. In addition, customers can specify an electrically extendable and retractable tow bar.

BMW iDrive with state-of-the-art digital services.
Based on the BMW Operating System 8.5, BMW iDrive not only offers intuitive operation using the touch function on the BMW Curved Display and voice control with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, but also the use of digital services such as video streaming and in-car gaming.

The BMW ID and the My BMW App provide a personalised user experience, while the BMW Digital Key allows for a simplified and convenient setup using the new Setup Card.

All derivatives will continue to be produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. First customer deliveries will arrive in Ireland from May 2025. The new BMW iX is priced from €91,590 RRP.

Ends

1. Up to 685km of range achievable for the BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport as part of the WLTP test cycle.
2. 22 kW AC charging is within the AC Charging Professional available as part of the Technology Pack. Standard on the BMW iX M70 xDrive.

About the BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ. BMW will debut a new 60-second advertisement during the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 13, 2022, to showcase its All-New, fully electric BMW iX Sports Activity Vehicle, which arrives in the US next month. The star-studded spot features legendary actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Academy Award nominee Salma Hayek Pinault, and was directed by two-time Academy Award nominated director Bryan Buckley. It will air during the third commercial break of the first quarter of the game.

Schwarzenegger stars as Zeus, the Greek god of lightning, and Hayek Pinault plays his wife, the goddess Hera, as they retire from Mt. Olympus to a quiet life in Palm Springs, California.  However, the monotony of retirement quickly weighs on Zeus, who becomes frustrated by his struggles with earthly electronics and his nagging mortal neighbors’ constant requests to charge their electric golf carts and hedge trimmers. Meanwhile, Hera, the hero of the story, has fully acclimated and is thriving in retirement. In an effort to bring some excitement back into Zeus’s life, she gifts him with an all-electric BMW iX, which quickly helps reignite her husband’s electric mojo. The spot closes with the happy couple rocking down the road in their new BMW iX to Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” while Zeus uses his electric power to change the traffic lights to green.

“All-electric mobility is at the very heart of the BMW brand,” said Jens Thiemer, senior vice president, customer and brand, BMW AG. “There is no better place to make this statement than in front of one of the largest television audiences in the world, where viewers tune in as much for the commercials as they do for the game. With Arnold and Salma, we are able show the world the new BMW iX in a memorable and impactful way.”

“The humor lies in this legendary god of lightning, who is supposed to be indestructible, battling with everyday electronics,” said Schwarzenegger. “It is only when his brilliant wife presents him with the gift of an all-electric BMW iX that Zeus is struck with the mighty power of electricity and is completely rejuvenated.”

The spot was conceived by BMW’s lead U.S. creative agency, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, and directed by two-time Academy Award nominated director Bryan Buckley, highly acclaimed for his work on more than 65 Super Bowl commercials. The ad also marks Hayek Pinault’s debut in a Super Bowl spot and the first time she and Schwarzenegger have costarred in a national ad.

“This is my first Super Bowl commercial—and the first time I’ve played a Greek goddess,” said Hayek Pinault. “Seventy-five percent of the decisions made in a marriage about where to spend the money are made by women, and in this commercial, it is the woman who decides on the right car to get her husband back on track. Of course, the commercial is entertaining, but there is also a real human truth to it.”

“I’ve done 60-some-odd Super Bowl spots. I’ve never had more star power than these two,” said director Bryan Buckley. “When I first saw  Schwarzenegger’s name on the script, I was in. And Salma—there is no one greater as an actress. It’s a movie in 60 seconds, and it’s on the biggest platform.”

“Transcending sports, this iconic annual event isn’t just a championship game. It’s a cultural phenomenon where viewers pay even more attention when the action on the field stops,” said Rich Silverstein, co-founder and co-chairman of Goodby Silverstein & Partners. “There’s only one person on the planet who could say he’s Zeus, and that’s Arnold. And there’s only one brand worthy of being called the Ultimate Electric Driving Machine, and that’s BMW. We needed to showcase this in a big way, and that is what we’re doing on February 13.”

Designed to provide more than just mortal mobility, the BMW iX brings together the fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology with the company’s latest developments in the fields of design, connectivity, digital services and sustainability. With 516 hp and a 0–60 time of only 4.6 seconds, the BMW iX offers an exhilarating driving experience with an EPA estimate of up to 324 miles of all-electric range and the latest in-vehicle technology, including 5G connectivity, a sweeping curved display that unites the 12.3-inch information display with a 14.9-inch central control display, and the debut of BMW iDrive 8, the company’s latest user-interface system. The BMW iX starts at $83,200 plus $995 destination and handling.

“This is a pinnacle event in the U.S. and the perfect stage on which to introduce the BMW iX to our customers,” said Uwe Dreher, vice president, marketing, BMW of North America. “We have already seen a significant number of preorders for both the BMW iX and BMW i4, and a huge amount of excitement for these two new electric vehicles.”

Alongside the BMW iX, BMW will also launch the fully electric BMW i4 four-door Gran Coupe in the U.S. next month as the company takes a major step toward its stated goal of reaching global sales of 50% electric vehicles by 2030.

BMW’s last Super Bowl had appeared in 2015 and featured Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel as they marveled over BMW’s first fully electric production vehicle, the BMW i3. The BMW i3 was a pioneer of electromobility and later became one of the best-selling premium electric vehicles in the world.

The official BMW Super Bowl Spot 2022 can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUC1QA5gRcU.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Phil DiIanni
Telephone: +1-201-785-4555
E-Mail: phil.dilanni@bmwna.com

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E-Mail: matthew.spadaro@bmwna.com

The start signal for electric mobility in hallmark BMW M brand style.
The debut of the BMW iX M60, alongside the BMW i4 M50, marks a milestone in the 50-year history of BMW M GmbH, as the BMW M brand moves into electrified performance cars. The extreme power and precise control of the electric all-wheel drive, together with the highly responsive actuator-based wheel slip limitation and a suspension technology that includes, among other things, a specifically M tuned dual-axle air suspension with automatic level control, ensure hallmark BMW M driving experience, agility and precision.

The BMW iX M60 accelerates from 0-100km/h in only 3.8 seconds* and this passionate power delivery of M- specific electric drive continues steadily into high load ranges, so acceleration remains constant up to the electronically limited maximum speed of 250km/h*.

Combining SAV design with performance characterises.
The BMW iX has been conceived as the ideal all-electric SAV with high-performance characteristics. From its design, through to its body structure and suspension set-up, everything has been geared towards achieving both superior ride comfort and handling characteristics.

The aluminium spaceframe and the carbon cage with carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the roof, side and rear sections combine an intelligent mix of materials that increase rigidity and optimise weight. The use of CFRP to reduce weight has a long tradition at BMW M GmbH, going back to the BMW M3 CSL, which was introduced in 2003.

The BMW iX M60’s aerodynamic properties have been optimised to achieve a drag coefficient (C_d value) of 0.27*, which benefits the vehicle’s performance, efficiency and range. The high-voltage battery is located deep down in the underbody, lowering the vehicle's centre of gravity. This ensures a balanced axle load distribution, resulting in outstanding cornering dynamics and handling that can be precisely controlled at all times.

^{*All figures relating to output, charging capacity, performance, energy consumption and range are provisional.
**Electronically limited.}

Enhanced standard specification.
The BMW iX already offers drivers a high level of standard equipment, but iX M60 customers benefit from even more. In addition to the standard offering on the iX xDrive 50, iX M60 customers receive 22” Air Performance Alloy wheels, Soft Close Doors, Laserlights and Parking Assistant Professional including the all-new Interior camera.  

Inside the vehicle, customers also benefit from Interior Design in Suite Natural Leather Upholstery, Comfort Access, Heat Comfort Package, Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System, Ventilated Front Seats, Sun Protection Glass, Four-zone Air Conditioning and Front Electric and Massage Seats.

The latest generation iDrive display and control system expands the interaction between driver and vehicle; based on the new BMW Operating System 8 it has been designed with a clear focus on both the touch function of the new BMW Curved Display and voice communication with the extensively enhanced BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

Navigation with the cloud-based BMW Maps system and Augmented Reality Video on the Control Display ensures fast and precise route planning as well as outstanding traffic guidance.

Clear design language, innovative feeling of space, exceptionally comprehensive standard equipment.
The powerful proportions of a modern SAV, reduced surface design and precise details characterise the clear exterior look and give the BMW iX M60 its distinctive presence. The brake callipers of the sports brake system painted in blue and featuring an M logo, the BMW Individual Titanium Bronze Exterior Line and M logos in the new High Gloss Black/Titanium Bronze finish on the front side panels and the rear of the vehicle provide clear indications of the high performance character of the BMW iX M60. 22-inch aerodynamic wheels featuring Titanium Bronze design are also offered via the option programme exclusively on this variant.

Production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing using purely green power, monitored raw materials extraction, high proportion of natural and recycled materials.
The BMW iX is produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing with both the vehicle itself and the battery cells manufactured using green power across the board. The BMW Group procures the cobalt and lithium required for the high-voltage batteries from controlled sources in Australia and Morocco and delivers it to the battery cell manufacturers. The design principle for the electric motors allows the use of rare earth metals to be avoided in the drive system rotors.

The BMW iX M60 is priced from €137,515 OTR and due for Irish launch in summer 2022.

Ends

^{* Fuel consumption, CO2 emission figures and power consumption were measured using the methods required according to Regulation VO (EC) 2007/715 as amended. The figures are calculated using a vehicle fitted with basic equipment in Germany, the ranges stated take into account differences in selected wheel and tyre sizes as well as the optional equipment. They may change during configuration.}

^{The details marked * have already been calculated based on the new WLTP test cycle and adapted to NEDC for comparison purposes. In these vehicles, different figures than those published here may apply for the assessment of taxes and other vehicle-related duties which are (also) based on CO2 emissions.}

^{For further details of the official fuel consumption figures and official specific CO2emissions of new cars, please refer to the "Manual on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars", available at sales outlets, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at https://www.dat.de/co2/.}

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2020 was €5.222 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.990 billion. As of 31 December 2020, the BMW Group had a workforce of 120,726 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

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Laura Condron | Corporate Communications & Events Manager | 086 047 7549 | Laura.Condron@BMW.ie

Green light for the first BMW M automobile designed for purely electric mobility from the outset. The BMW Group presents the third, even more powerful model variant of its technology flagship: the BMW iX M60 (combined power consumption: 24.5 - 21.9 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km). With an output of 455 kW/619 hp*, a maximum torque of 1.015 Nm in Sport Mode respectively 1.100 Nm with activated Launch Control and an M specific suspension set-up, it adds an outstanding performance experience to the world of locally emission-free mobility.

The BMW iX M60 combines innovative luxury with the design of a modern sports activity vehicle and dynamic driving characteristics. In this way it embodies the best of the three worlds of BMW i, the BMW X models and BMW M GmbH. With its technological highlights, which also include the areas of automated driving, operation and connectivity, the new BMW iX M60 represents a new understanding of advanced luxury, high performance and premium character.

The start signal for electric mobility in hallmark BMW M brand style.
The BMW iX M60 accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in only 3.8 seconds. The vehement power delivery of its M specific electric drive continues steadily into high load ranges, so that the increase in speed also remains almost constant up to the electronically limited maximum speed of 250 km/h. The range of the BMW iX M60 determined in the WLTP test cycle is up to 561 kilometres.

The debut of the BMW iX M60 marks a milestone in the history of BMW M GmbH, which began 50 years ago. Together with the BMW i4 M50 (combined power consumption: 22.5 – 18.0 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km), it embodies the departure of the BMW M brand into the segment of electrified performance cars. The extreme power and precise control of the electric all-wheel drive, together with the highly responsive actuator-based wheel slip limitation and a suspension technology that includes, among other things, an M specifically tuned dual-axle air suspension with automatic level control, ensure hallmark BMW M driving experience, agility and precision.

The BMW iX M60 is manufactured together with the other model variants of the all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The venue for its world premiere was the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (USA) in January 2022. The global market launch will begin in June 2022.

Balanced vehicle concept, extremely sporty orientation.
The vehicle concept of the BMW iX provides an ideal basis for an all-electric SAV with high-performance characteristics. Both the body structure and the design principle as well as suspension set-up are geared towards combining superior ride comfort with sporty handling characteristics. The aluminium spaceframe concept and the carbon cage with carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the roof, side and rear sections are an intelligent mix of materials that combines increased rigidity with optimised weight. The use of CFRP to reduce weight has a long tradition at BMW M GmbH. The particularly lightweight high-tech material already achieved great results in combining engine performance and weight in the BMW M3 CSL, which was introduced in 2003. BMW M GmbH thus pioneered the use of CFRP in large-scale automotive production. In numerous current BMW M GmbH high-performance sports cars, a standard carbon fibre roof and other components made of CFRP are part of the intelligent lightweight construction principle.

The BMW iX M60’s performance, efficiency and range also benefit from its optimised aerodynamic properties, which give it a drag coefficient (C_d value) of 0.26 in Sport Mode. The high-voltage battery is located deep down in the underbody, lowering the vehicle's centre of gravity which ensures agile handling as well as balanced axle load distribution. That is why the performance characteristics of the BMW iX M60 are not only characterised by fascinatingly spontaneous acceleration, but also by outstanding cornering dynamics and handling that can be precisely controlled at all times, even in highly dynamic situations. The perfectly balanced driving characteristics give the BMW iX M60 a confident and light-footed feel at all speeds. It can also be driven at the physical limits giving the driver clear feedback in typical BMW M style.

First BMW M automobile based on the new future modular system.
The BMW iX M60 combines its typical M performance characteristics with the exceptionally advanced technology of the BMW Group's new future modular system in the areas of automated driving, operation, connectivity and digital services. This creates an experience of premium mobility that is unique in the competitive environment. The completely redeveloped interior architecture also contributes to this, creating an exceptionally generous feeling of space.

Like the other model variants, the BMW iX M60 features the most extensive range of standard equipment ever offered by BMW in the field of driver assistance systems as well as numerous innovations. A new generation of sensors, a new software stack and a powerful computing platform also provide considerable potential for consistently advancing automated driving and parking functions.

With BMW iDrive, the BMW iX M60 creates an impressive and hallmark M driving experience. The focus is on the familiar display and Operating System 8 with a clear focus on the touch function of the BMW Curved Display and voice communication with the extensively enhanced BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. A number of new features underline the M character of the BMW iX M60. M badges in the instrument display and the first-ever BMW IconicSounds Electric with typical M characteristics make the electric driving experience even more thrilling. With the new My Modes "Relax" and "Expressive", users now have five My Modes to choose from, making every ride individual. The BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades offer the possibility to install new and improved vehicle functions over-the-air. Fast and precise route planning as well as perfect traffic guidance is ensured by navigation using the cloud-based and improved BMW Maps system and Augmented Reality Video. The BMW iX is also a pioneer in data transmission using the 5G mobile phone standard and in integrating the personal mobile phone account into the vehicle with the help of the Personal eSIM.

Clear design language, innovative feeling of space, exceptionally comprehensive standard equipment.
The powerful proportions of a modern SAV, reduced surface design and precise details characterise the clear exterior look and give the BMW iX M60 its distinctive presence. The brake callipers of the sports brake system painted in blue and featuring an M logo, the BMW Individual Titanium Bronze Exterior Line and M logos in the new High Gloss Black/Titanium Bronze finish on the front side panels and the rear of the vehicle provide clear indications of the high performance character of the BMW iX M60. 22-inch M aerodynamic wheels featuring exclusive Titanium Bronze design are optional.

The spacious, high-quality and innovatively designed interior helps the driver concentrate on driving actively while also providing travel comfort and the pleasure of progressive luxury. Multifunction seats with integrated headrests, the large BMW Curved Display, the hexagonal steering wheel and the anthracite-coloured roof liner enhance driving pleasure. The elimination of the centre tunnel creates additional legroom as well as space for storage and a centre console designed in the style of a high-quality piece of furniture. The optional Suite interior includes natural leather seats, instrument panel, centre console and door trim surfaces, as well as Gold Bronze surfaces and controls.

The exclusive character of the BMW iX M60 is further emphasised by its exceptionally comprehensive level of standard equipment. Among other things it includes BMW Live Cockpit Professional and BMW Natural Interaction, which allows functions to be operated using speech and gestures, the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System, BMW Laser Light, Comfort Access, Active Seat Ventilation for driver and front passenger and the Heat Comfort Package.

Holistic sustainability concept: Controlled raw material extraction, production using 100 percent green electricity, high proportion of natural and recycled materials.
Responsibly using resources throughout the entire value chain and the maximum reduction of the CO₂ footprint all across the entire product life cycle express how BMW i understands and defines forward-looking premium mobility. This holistic approach is consistently implemented in vehicle development, throughout the supply chain and in the production of the BMW iX M60. The BMW i brand stands for both ecological and social sustainability.

The supply of cobalt and lithium required for the high-voltage batteries is procured by the BMW Group from controlled sources in Australia and Morocco and delivered to the battery cell manufacturers. 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. In addition, the company purchases aluminium, which is produced using electricity from solar energy plants.

100 per cent green electricity is used for manufacturing the vehicles as well as for manufacturing battery cells. A high proportion of secondary aluminium and recycled plastic also contributes to the resource-efficient production of the BMW iX M60. The interior features FSC-certified wood, leather tanned with olive tree leaf extract and other natural materials. Among other things, recycled fishing nets serve as raw material for floor coverings and floor mats.

* Electric drive with up to 397 kW during temporary performance increase ]]> Wed, 05 Jan 2022 00:01:00 +0100 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 23:01:00 +0000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/3240/9678f4a0-b2dd-479d-90ba-2b8d4679807b/500_P90447387_highRes_the-new-bmw-ix-m60-0.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/3240/9678f4a0-b2dd-479d-90ba-2b8d4679807b/P90447387_highRes_the-new-bmw-ix-m60-0.jpg?10000 https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/emea/en-ie/the-first-ever-bmw-ix-and-the-first-ever-bmw-i4-joint-global-campaign-plays-to-the-rhythm-of-coldplays-new-hit-en-ie/ https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/emea/en-ie/the-first-ever-bmw-ix-and-the-first-ever-bmw-i4-joint-global-campaign-plays-to-the-rhythm-of-coldplays-new-hit-en-ie/801539

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptations have been made to cater for the UK market.

Munich. Local emission-free driving pleasure has never been greater than with the first-ever BMW iX and the first-ever BMW i4. The fitting soundtrack for the debut of the latest all-electric models is called "Higher Power" and comes from the British band Coldplay. You can hear the quartet's latest single in the TV commercials filmed for launching the joint worldwide communication campaign for the two new models. It delivers the perfect message with the lyric line "This joy is electric". The song for a new era of individual mobility marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between BMW and Coldplay.

Back in 2014, Coldplay, made up of Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Guy Berryman, performed before 1,500 fans at the end of their "Ghost Stories Tour" at BMW Welt in Munich. On the basis of the contact established at that time, a creative connection has now been established between the premium car manufacturer and the band, which has achieved worldwide success in the charts. This is based in particular on a common interest in sustainability in various areas of life.

"In the initial discussions we quickly realised: Coldplay and BMW share many common goals that go far beyond marketing," says Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President Customer and Brand BMW. "Based on this we developed a real co-creation in which the band actively contributed their thoughts and attitude to the design of our campaign for the BMW iX and the BMW i4." The shared awareness of sustainability gave rise to an intensive creative process between BMW and the British musicians and which will produce further co-created elements later in the year.

For the BMW Group, the premiere of the BMW iX and the BMW i4 is an important milestone in the current phase of its transformation towards electric mobility. The company expects all-electric models to account for at least 50 percent of its global vehicle sales as early as 2030. The Coldplay musicians are looking for innovative ways to combine their popularity and performances in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans with a positive impact with regard to sustainability. The band said "We are proud to partner with BMW as part of our efforts to make everything we do as sustainable as possible. The technology that BMW use for their electric cars can power our live performances almost entirely from renewable energy."

For the premiere of their new song "Higher Power", Coldplay already managed to overcome the usual boundaries of the music business. Last month, Coldplay premiered "Higher Power” in space. The song was played for the first time by French astronaut Thomas Pesquet on the International Space Station. Shortly after, the band played its first live set of 2021 for earthly audiences in a special livestream from the site of Glastonbury Festival.

With the launch for the campaign film for the BMW iX and the BMW i4, fans all over the world can now enjoy the sound of "Higher Power". "And that's just the beginning," announces Stefan Ponikva, Vice President BMW Brand Communication and Brand Experience. "We are already looking forward to being able to realise exciting projects with regard to sustainability in an intensive and substantial collaboration with Coldplay."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loYO_aNqYOI

Ends

 
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2020 was € 5.222 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.990 billion. As of 31 December 2020, the BMW Group had a workforce of 120,726 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

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BMW Ireland has announced pricing and specifications information for the all new BMW iX ahead of the launch of this flagship electric model in November.

The new BMW iX ushers in an exciting new chapter for the brand, the fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) being the first model based on a new, modular, scalable toolkit on which the future of the BMW Group will be built. Conceived from the outset for purely electric mobility and sustainable manufacturing techniques, the BMW iX combines locally emission-free driving pleasure and sporting agility with a highly usable operating range and luxurious spaciousness.

What's more, the BMW Group’s new technology flagship brings together the company’s latest developments in the strategic innovation fields of Design, Automated Driving, Connectivity, Electrification and Services to create a premium mobility experience that is unrivalled in its segment. It is the first model to feature the new generation BMW iDrive, powered by Operating System 8.

When the BMW iX launches later this year, the model range will comprise the BMW iX xDrive50 with a combined output of 523hp and a range of up to 613 kilometres miles (WLTP), plus the BMW iX xDrive40 that produces 326hp and is able to cover up to 414 kilometres on a single charge. Powerful performance is instantaneous and all with zero tailpipe emissions. Both versions are equipped with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, making the iX the very first all-wheel-drive pure electric vehicle produced by BMW.

The impressive battery range is complemented with flexible charging that is designed to be as convenient as possible. DC power can be taken on board at a rate of up to 195 kW (BMW iX xDrive50) or 150 kW (BMW iX xDrive40). This allows the battery charge to be increased from 10 to 80 per cent in around 35 minutes in the BMW iX xDrive50 or 31 minutes in the BMW iX xDrive40.

Both variants will be available in Sport or M Sport trim levels, with the extensive standard specification including 21-inch alloy wheels, Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, climate comfort windscreen, four-zone air conditioning, heated front seats, wireless phone charging and Shadow Line exterior trim. An array of options, including dedicated Packs that group extras which complement each together, allow for further personalisation.

Also set to join the model line-up at a later date is the BMW iX M60 which, with an expected maximum output in excess of 600hp, promises an exceptionally sporty all-electric driving experience. All CO₂ Emissions and Zero (WLTP)

^{*All figures relating to output, charging capacity, performance, energy consumption and range are provisional.
**Electronically limited.
*** Preliminary figures and on-the-road pricing, correct at the time of publication – the latest prices can be found at www.bmw.ie}

The BMW iX will be produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. It is thoroughly integrated into the existing manufacturing structures there and will be built on a flexible assembly line together with models from the BMW 5 Series, 7 Series and 8 Series ranges. The plant in Lower Bavaria is the first facility in the BMW Group’s international production network to manufacture all-electric, plug-in hybrid and combustion-engine models on a single assembly line. Both the vehicle itself and the battery cells will be manufactured using green power across the board.

Well-balanced driving characteristics
The body structure, design principle and chassis tuning of the BMW iX are perfectly geared to blending superb ride comfort with sporty handling characteristics. The aluminium spaceframe construction and the Carbon Cage’s use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the roof and at the sides and rear result in an intelligent material mix that increases rigidity at the same time as minimising weight. The optimised aerodynamic properties that contribute to the car’s drag coefficient of just 0.25 also have a positive impact on efficiency and range.

The high-voltage battery located low down in the car’s underbody lowers the centre of gravity, combining with the even weight distribution to make handling even more agile. Thanks to its well-balanced driving characteristics, the BMW iX feels solid and comfortable out on the road, yet also nimble.

The standard chassis technology for the BMW iX comprises a double-wishbone front axle, five-link rear axle, lift-related dampers and an electric steering system with Servotronic function and a variable ratio. Two-axle air suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering are standard on BMW iX Drive50 variants, while the M Sport trim level enhances braking performance further still with M Sport brakes as standard.  Both the iX Drive40 and iX Drive50, in either Sport or M Sport specification, feature 21-inch alloy wheels.

Electric all-wheel drive and near-actuator wheel slip limitation

The electric all-wheel-drive system in the BMW iX transmits exactly the right amount of drive torque to the front and rear wheels in all driving situations. Its intelligent control enables fully variable power transmission ranging from highly efficient pure rear-wheel drive through to an all-wheel-drive set-up that maximises traction. The near-actuator wheel slip limitation technology fitted in tandem with all-wheel drive for the first time brings about a further improvement in traction and handling stability. Integrated into the motor management, this system produces very precise and exceptionally fast corrective inputs to enable the car to make effortless progress, even in adverse weather and road conditions. Aided by the advanced system, the BMW iX xDrive50 posts acceleration of 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, while the BMW iX xDrive40 covers the same sprint in 6.1 seconds.

Highly integrated and efficient drive technology

The fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology fitted in the BMW iX is centred around a drive unit which brings together the electric motor, power electronics and transmission within a single housing. This highly integrated electric drive system topology has a beneficial effect on both power density and efficiency, at the same time as making the most use of the installation space in the area between the front and rear axle. Combined torque peaks at 630Nm in the BMW iX xDrive40 and an even higher 765Nm in the BMW iX xDrive50.

Adaptive and individually regulated recuperation

Adaptive recuperation gives a further boost to the efficiency and range of the BMW iX. Intelligently connected drive management means the intensity of the brake energy recuperation during overrun and active braking can be adapted to the road situation, as detected by data from the navigation system and the sensors used by the driver assistance systems. When approaching a junction, for example, the degree of recuperation can be increased, working to feed energy back into the high-voltage battery while harnessing the deceleration effect at the same time. On the open road, meanwhile, the coasting function can take over, allowing the car to “freewheel” with no drive power, whenever the driver eases off the accelerator.

Adaptive recuperation is the default setting in driving position D. Alternatively, the driver can choose a high, medium or low Brake Energy Regeneration setting for all driving situations in the BMW iDrive menu. The highest recuperation setting is automatically activated in driving position B, which also produces the characteristic one-pedal feeling.

Information on the energy flow can be viewed in the control display no matter which driving position is selected. The Efficiency Trainer offers hints for driving in a very economical manner, while the range horizon clearly illustrates the impact of driving style on the high-voltage battery’s charge level.

High-voltage battery with the very latest battery cell technology
Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology also includes a high-voltage battery with state-of-the-art battery cell technology. Its volumetric energy density at cell level is up by around 40 per cent compared to the high-voltage battery in the 2020 BMW i3. The BMW iX xDrive50 is fitted with a high-voltage battery with a net energy content of 105.2 kWh (gross energy content: 111.5 kWh), while the battery unit for the BMW iX xDrive40 has a net energy content of 71 kWh (gross energy content: 76.6 kWh).

The standard specification of the BMW iX combines an integrated heating and cooling system for the cabin with anticipatory thermal management for the high-voltage battery and a drive system that operates using an exceptionally efficient heat pump function. Anticipatory thermal management enables the high- voltage battery’s operating temperature to be optimised for quick and efficient charging prior to a scheduled stop at a high-power station.

The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) in the BMW iX has been designed to offer a very high level of charging flexibility. DC power can be taken on board at a rate of up to 195 kW (BMW iX xDrive50) or 150 kW (BMW iX xDrive40). This allows the battery’s state of charge to be increased from 10 to 80 per cent in around 35 minutes in the BMW iX xDrive50 or 31 minutes in the case of the BMW iX xDrive40. A range of up to 145 kms for the BMW iX xDrive50 and over 95 kms for the BMW iX xDrive40 can be delivered in just ten minutes when they are plugged into a DC high-power station, as long as there is an initial battery charge of 10 per cent or more. BMW iX models in Ireland are supplied complete with the Flexible Charger offering a charging rate of up to 11 kW and a mode 3 charging cable for public charging stations.  

Premiere for the new generation of the BMW iDrive / Operating System 8

The new generation of the iDrive system, display concept and Operating System 8 are making their debut in the BMW iX, making interaction between driver and vehicle even more intuitive than before. They combine to give the BMW iX all the tools needed to serve as an intelligent and proactive partner in any situation. The intuitive, multimodal operation becomes a dialogue between the user and their car that seeks to precisely tailor all the functions controlled via BMW iDrive to the driver’s needs and preferences as the situation demands.

New features available immediately include the expanded capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and the BMW Curved Display. The all-new BMW Curved Display features a 12.3-inch information display and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches housed together behind a glass surface that is angled towards the driver. The digital personal assistant now boasts additional capabilities and uses a new graphic when communicating with the vehicle’s occupants.

The new My Modes expand the range of vehicle settings that can be selected. Remote Software Upgrades and the option to purchase vehicle functions later from the BMW ConnectedDrive Store via Functions on Demand, with them then installed over the air, will keep the vehicle software up to date in the future. Navigation using the cloud-based system BMW Maps and Augmented Reality Video in the control display ensures quick and accurate route planning, while also making it easy for the driver to find their way on the road.

BMW Digital Key Plus with ultra-wideband radio technology

BMW is a pioneering force in the use of smartphones as digital vehicle keys. The iX offers a new generation of this convenient and secure means of unlocking and starting the vehicle, without the user even having to take their Apple iPhone out of their pocket.

The BMW Digital Key Plus, set to make its debut with the BMW iX, employs the ultra-wideband (UWB) technology already integrated into the vehicle and, for example, the iPhone’s U1 chip. As customers approach the BMW iX, they are welcomed by a staged lighting effect using the exterior lights, and the vehicle unlocks just before they reach the door. Once they have got in, the Apple iPhone can be simply left in the user’s pocket or placed in the smartphone tray for wireless charging; no physical key is required to start the vehicle.

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. The iPhone’s iMessage service can be used to share a Digital Key with up to five other vehicle users. The Digital Key Plus function is expected to be available from the end of 2021.

Personalisation using the BMW ID

When interacting with the new BMW iDrive, BMW iX customers benefit from increasing personalisation of the user experience based on their own BMW ID. This is used to securely store even more personalised settings and to transfer them between vehicles. A PIN code can be created or the BMW ID associated with a particular key to prevent other users of the vehicle accessing personal data. When signing in to a vehicle for the first time, simply scanning a QR code is all it takes to create a new BMW ID on a smartphone. If the user has the My BMW App and is therefore already in possession of a BMW ID, this will be automatically imported into the car via the app when the QR code is scanned.

The BMW ID can be created and activated effortlessly and securely in vehicles with BMW Operating System 8 or BMW Operating System 7. Once the BMW ID has been imported, the driver will receive a personal greeting which will include the customisable profile image the driver can create in the My BMW App. At the same time, personal settings for seat and steering wheel position, exterior mirrors, navigation system, driver assistance functions, display layouts, shortcuts, favourites and infotainment system settings will be imported automatically.

The most extensive set of standard driver assistance systems ever seen on a BMW

The new technology toolkit in the BMW iX offers considerable potential for driving forward the development of automated driving and parking functions, with the prospect of Level 3 functionality in the medium term. A new generation of sensors, a new software stack and a powerful computing platform provide the basis for exceptional intelligence. Five cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors are used to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings.

The BMW iX comes equipped with the most extensive set of standard driver assistance systems ever seen on a BMW, along with a wealth of innovations. The front collision warning system, for instance, now detects oncoming traffic when turning left (in countries where vehicles drive on the right) as well as cyclists and pedestrians when turning right. Availability of the optional Steering and Lane Control Assistant has been significantly expanded, while the optional Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function offers enhanced situational distance adjustment.

The exit warning function, which alerts to the presence of cyclists or pedestrians in the surrounding area before the doors are opened, and the Interior Camera are both new features. The Parking Assistant including Reversing Assist Camera and the Reversing Assistant also come as standard on the iX.

Striking exterior design that exudes luxury
The pioneering character of the BMW iX is carried through to its exterior design. The body’s imposing styling with distinctive SAV proportions the  precisely crafted details create a distinctive appearance that exudes luxury.

The exterior dimensions of the BMW iX – length: 4,953 millimetres, width: 1,967 millimetres, height: 1,695 millimetres (xDrive50 = 1,696 millimetres) – allow it to combine the functionality of the BMW X5 with the dynamism of the BMW X6 and the imposing appearance of the BMW X7.

Standout exterior features include the almost completely blanked-off BMW kidney grille, the surface of which is the product of innovative manufacturing techniques and which incorporates camera and radar sensors.  The full LED headlights are also the slimmest units ever to feature on a series-produced model from BMW.

Shy tech for the exterior: subtly integrated technology

As well as the intelligence panel in the BMW kidney grille, the BMW iX also has an array of other likewise discreetly positioned camera, radar and ultrasonic sensors. These are used by the driver assistance systems to make life easier for the driver in monotonous or unclear situations on the road and espouse the principle of “shy tech”. For example, the distance measurement radar sensors are integrated inconspicuously into the black body edging at the front and rear of the car.

The flush-fitted door openers and the rear-view camera with cleaning system integrated into the BMW badge on the tailgate are further examples of shy tech at work. The underlying principle here is that the technology stays in the background and only becomes apparent as and when the relevant functions are called into action.

Spacious lounge-style interior with a luxurious, contemporary feel
The BMW iX has been meticulously designed from the inside out. The spacious cabin and newly developed seats with integral head restraints set a luxurious tone. The absence of a centre tunnel creates extra legroom and plenty of space for both storage and a centre console designed in the style of a high-quality piece of furniture. The control panel with active haptic input as well as a rocker switch for gear selection adds some very modern touches.

As well as the new BMW Curved Display, the polygonal steering wheel and frameless projector integration for the optional Head-Up Display further add to the focused driving experience. There is also a choice of three different types of upholstery trims for customising the interior.

The automatic climate control system in the BMW iX comes with a nanofibre filter to purify the air and new touchscreen controls. The system intelligently combines interior ventilation and surface, seat and steering wheel heating to maximise the occupants’ comfort.

As standard, iX models receive the Harman Kardon entertainment system, but should customers desire a sound experience that is even more concert hall-like, they can choose the  optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System. This system features speakers integrated out of sight in the head restraints and a 4D Audio function using bass shakers in the front seats.

In addition to acoustic pedestrian protection, the BMW iX also features a specially composed drive sound, which enhances the driving experience by providing authentic feedback in response to accelerator movements and speed. The BMW IconicSounds Electric function included as standard also allows new sound variants from a collaboration with film score composer Hans Zimmer to be added to the available acoustics.

Sport and M Sport trim levels, plus extensive personalisation options

The strong performance nature of the BMW iX is represented in the choice of Sport and M Sport trim levels.

The Sport specification includes a comprehensive list of equipment and features that are designed to optimise the style, comfort and convenience of the iX. Together with the likes of the Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant, BMW Live Cockpit Professional and storage for wireless charging, standard features include climate comfort windscreen, four-zone air conditioning, heated front seats and Shadow Line exterior trim.

Even more eye-catching and purposeful is the M Sport specification. As well as a different style of 21-inch alloy wheels, the exterior is set off with the Aerodynamics pack comprising of M Sport front apron, side apron, rear apron and diffuser, and air curtain. Dark taillight glass completes the appearance of the M Sport, while M Sport brakes and an Anthracite roof lining are also included.

Customers who want to personalise their iX to their own individual requirements can specify a host of options. For convenience, BMW has combined options that complement each other into a series of Packs. For example, the Technology Plus Pack encompasses Parking Assistant Plus/Interior Camera and the Bowers & Wilkins entertainment system, while the Comfort Plus Pack adds supreme refinement courtesy of Comfort Access, soft-close doors, front fully electric seats with massage, front and rear heat comfort system, and ventilated front seats.

Seven individual options are also available, spanning Titan Bronze exterior trim and sun protection glass to a trailer tow hitch.

Production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing using purely green power, monitored raw materials extraction, high proportion of natural and recycled materials
The BMW iX will be produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. Both the vehicle itself and the battery cells will be manufactured using green power across the board. The BMW Group procures the cobalt and lithium required for the high-voltage batteries from controlled sources in Australia and Morocco and delivers it to the battery cell manufacturers. The design principle for the electric motors allows the use of rare earth metals to be avoided in the drive system rotors. Added to which, the company sources aluminium produced using power from solar energy plants.

 A high proportion of secondary aluminium and reused plastic also contribute to the resource-efficient production of the BMW iX. Its interior uses FSC-certified wood, leather tanned with olive leaf extracts and other natural materials. Recycled fishing nets are among the raw materials used for the floor coverings and mats.

Ends

^{*All figures relating to output, charging capacity, performance, energy consumption and range are provisional.}

The electric power consumption and operating range figures are determined according to the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 in the version applicable and as per the WLTP procedure. They refer to vehicles in the German market. Where a range is shown, WLTP figures take into account the impact of any optional extras.

All values were calculated based on the new WLTP test cycle. WLTP values are taken as the basis for determining vehicle-related taxes or other duties based (at least inter alia) on CO₂ emissions as well as eligibility for any applicable vehicle-specific subsidies. Further information on the WLTP and NEDC measurement procedures can also be found at www.bmw.de/wltp.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures and specific CO₂ emission values of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: 'Leitfaden über den Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO₂-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen' (Guide to the fuel economy, CO₂ emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained free of charge from all dealerships, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at https://www.dat.de/co2/

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion As of 31 December 2020, the BMW Group had a workforce of 120,726 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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Laura Condron | Corporate Communications & Events Manager | 086 047 7549 | Laura.Condron@BMW.ie

Munich. The future of driving pleasure is electric, locally emission-free – and characterised by a typically BMW sporting flair expressed not only in dynamic talent, but also through an emotionally rich aural experience. BMW IconicSounds Electric brings an unmistakable sound portfolio to BMW models powered by a fully electric or plug-in hybrid drive system. The collaboration between composer and curator Hans Zimmer and Renzo Vitale, Creative Director Sound at the BMW Group, has produced a distinctive drive soundtrack which customers will soon be able to experience in a version developed specially for electric BMW M cars. “Every BMW has its own character, which is reflected in the sound it makes,” says film music creator and Academy Award winner Zimmer. “So for the electrically driven BMW M models we have developed a drive system sound which accentuates their emotional driving experience particularly vividly and ensures their performance can be felt with even greater intensity.”

Hans Zimmer had previously been involved in the development of an inspiring ready-to-drive sound for electrically powered BMWs which instils a sense of excitement at the prospect of electric driving when the Start/Stop button is pressed. The latest chapter in this collaboration covers drive sounds for the BMW iX and BMW i4, including a differentiated sound for the M-specification version of the BMW i4.

While the hush of electric driving offers an unprecedented level of comfort, the driving experience loses a degree of emotionality. This is where BMW IconicSounds Electric steps in to put smiles on the faces of customers keen to experience Sheer Driving Pleasure with all the senses. In the future, electric driving pleasure will be enhanced by acoustic feedback to every movement of the accelerator. Like the on-board driving modes selectable at the touch of a button, the drive system sound also takes its cues from the driving situation at hand and the driver’s personal preferences. In the basic setting, BMW IconicSounds Electric employs a strikingly transparent timbre with spherical components to convey the basic character of an electrically driven BMW brand model. An immersive and pleasant atmosphere is created initially in the BMW i4 in COMFORT mode. But when the driver steps on the accelerator, the direct relationship between how the car is being driven and the sounds it makes is immediately revealed: the sound experience deepens as load and speed increase. In SPORT mode, in particular, the car’s aural spectrum is more dominant and powerful, the sound providing a constant commentary on the driving situation. Drive system processes are registered within milliseconds and acceleration, load changes or recuperation given a suitable acoustic accompaniment. Only when the vehicle is travelling in ECO PRO mode is the acoustic feedback reduced to nothing. Here, the silence of the drive system underscores the driver’s decision to adopt an ultra-efficient driving style.

In the version developed specifically for electrified BMW M models, the drive sound of the BMW i4 is charged with extra energy. Added to which, the differentiation between COMFORT and SPORT mode is especially strong. Overall, the drive system note displays a less harmonious but engagingly rousing and technical sonic profile. Acceleration sparks a rich intensification of the soundtrack’s development, authentically reflecting the car’s performance character. “When you press the pedal of an M car, you suddenly get goosebumps all over your body,” says sound designer Renzo Vitale. “We translated this feeling into a drive sound that expresses a fusion of superior power and flowing energy.”

Hans Zimmer and Renzo Vitale had already co-developed the drive system sound for the BMW Vision M NEXT revealed in 2019 and the BMW Concept i4 presented the following year. Numerous learnings from this creative process have now been channelled into the design of the sound for future series-produced vehicles.

The new drive sounds developed as part of the collaboration with Hans Zimmer are expected to feature in the BMW i4 and BMW iX over the course of 2022. IconicSounds Electric comes as standard in the BMW iX and can be specified as an option for the BMW i4. In cars with earlier build dates, the new sounds can be imported retrospectively via Remote Software Upgrade, should the customer wish. The new spectrum includes one ready-to-drive sound and one stop sound, plus a drive system sound which will be made available in the relevant version for BMW models and BMW M cars with electrified drive system.

The most exacting environmental compatibility requirements have been put in place throughout the value chain and for the full life cycle of the BMW iX. The car is currently in the final phase of its series development. At market launch – which will get underway at the end of 2021 – customers will be able to choose from two model variants: the BMW iX xDrive50 and BMW iX xDrive40.

The BMW iX redefines the successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept. It is the first model based on a new, modular, scalable toolkit on which the future of the BMW Group will be built. The development and production of the BMW iX follow an all-encompassing approach to sustainability involving compliance with strict environmental and social standards in the extraction of raw materials, plus the use of electricity from renewable sources and a high proportion of recycled materials in the mix. The resulting carbon footprint is stated in a validation document endorsed by independent auditors. The certificate for the BMW iX xDrive40, for instance, shows its global warming potential is around 45 per cent lower than that of a Sports Activity Vehicle with a comparable diesel engine over 125,000 miles of use.

“Technology is driving the advances we need to tackle even the greatest challenges. This applies in particular to climate protection,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “We are in no doubt: mobility has to be sustainable if it is to represent a truly outstanding solution. For the BMW Group, premium mobility is not possible without responsibility.”

“We made a promise and we will deliver on that promise: the market launch of the BMW iX will get underway at the end of this year with a two-pronged approach – in the form of the BMW iX xDrive40 and BMW iX xDrive50,” says Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Customer, Brands and Sales.
 

The OTR price in Ireland including the €5000 SEAI government grant starts at €80,815 for the BMW iX xDrive40.

Monitored raw materials production, across-the-board green power for manufacturing, high proportion of natural and recycled materials.
The BMW Group procures the cobalt and lithium required for the high-voltage batteries from controlled sources in Australia and Morocco, before supplying them to the battery cell manufacturers. As in the production of the overall vehicle at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, the battery cells are manufactured using exclusively green power from certified sources. And since February 2021 the company has bought in aluminium manufactured using electricity from solar energy plants. The importance placed on conserving resources in the production of the BMW iX is highlighted by the high proportion of secondary aluminium and recycled plastic used. The car’s interior features FSC-certified wood, leather tanned with olive leaf extracts and other natural materials. Among the raw materials used for the floor coverings and mats are recovered fishing nets.

“Rather than simply passing responsibility on to the supplier network, we take responsibility together with our direct suppliers,” explains Dr Andreas Wendt, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network. “In so doing, we tap into our many years of experience and create processes for attaining greater transparency and traceability.”

Electric motors: enhancing dynamism, reducing the use of critical materials.
Added to which, the electric motors for the BMW iX are marked out by a design which enables the use of rare earths to be avoided. They work according to the principle of a current-excited synchronous motor.

The excitation of the rotor in the BMW iX motors is not induced by fixed permanent magnets, but the feed-in of electric energy. This removes the need for the critical materials used to manufacture magnets, and the BMW Group is therefore not reliant on their availability.

This special design also has a positive effect on the motors’ performance characteristics. The precisely controlled excitation of the rotor using electric power enables peak torque to be on tap in full immediately on pulling away. And – unlike with electric motors of conventional design – that torque is maintained over an extremely broad rev band. The defining trait of the driving experience on board the BMW iX is, then, power development that is not only lightning fast but also unusually consistent, underscoring the car’s brand-typical sporting excellence.

In the BMW iX xDrive50, the drive system – which features one electric motor on the front axle and another at the rear axle – produces total output of over 370 kW/500 hp and enables acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in under 5.0 seconds. The BMW iX xDrive40 has an output of more than 240 kW/300 hp, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a shade over 6.0 seconds.

Efficient drive system and the latest battery technology increase range.
The electric motor, transmission and power electronics of the BMW iX come together as a highly integrated package within a single housing. This compact construction also benefits the drive system’s efficiency. Indeed, further boosted by optimised aerodynamics and intelligent lightweight design, the BMW iX posts standout efficiency for its segment. The result is average electric power consumption in the WLTP cycle of less than 21 kWh per 62 miles for the BMW iX xDrive50 and under 20 kWh per 62 miles in the case of the BMW iX xDrive40.

Like the electric motors, power electronics and charging technology for the BMW iX, its high-voltage batteries are also the product of fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology.

They are positioned low down in the vehicle floor as an integral component of the body. The gravimetric energy density of the lithium-ion batteries has been increased by around 20 per cent again over the previous-generation battery.

The battery cells are manufactured according to precise specifications from the BMW Group and integrated into model-specific high-voltage batteries. The BMW iX xDrive50 is therefore fitted with a battery with a gross energy content of over 100 kWh at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, while the battery unit for the BMW iX xDrive40 has a gross energy content of more than 70 kWh. This gives the BMW iX xDrive50 a range in excess of 373 miles in the WLTP test cycle. And the WLTP-calculated range of the BMW iX xDrive40 is more than 249 miles. (All figures relating to performance, energy consumption and range are predicted values based on the car’s current stage of development.)

The new charging technology of the BMW iX enables DC (direct current) fast charging with extremely high charging power. The BMW iX xDrive50 can replenish its high-voltage battery at up to 200 kW, while the maximum charging capacity of the BMW iX xDrive40 is 150 kW. All of which means that a ten-minute plug-in time provides sufficient energy to add more than 75 miles / 56 miles of range. In both model variants, the high-voltage battery’s charge can be increased from 10 to 80 per cent of its full capacity in under 40 minutes.

New technology toolkit underpins further advances towards automated driving.
The new technology toolkit making its debut in the BMW iX also provides the platform for significant progress in the areas of automated driving and digital services. For example, the level of computing power has been developed to process 20 times the data volume of previous models. As a result, around double the amount of data from vehicle sensors can be processed than was previously possible.

“We are setting new industry standards with the technology in the BMW iX. The iX has more computing power for data processing and more powerful sensor technology than the newest vehicles in our current line-up, is 5G-capable, will be given new and improved automated driving and parking functions and uses the high-performing fifth generation of our electric drive system,” says Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development.

Fresh design for a new driving experience.
The BMW iX is leading the way for a future generation of cars with which the company is redefining sustainability, driving pleasure and what it means to be premium. This trailblazing character is clearly expressed in the car’s design, which has been developed from the inside out. The BMW iX has therefore been created to provide quality of life and wellbeing for drivers and passengers.

The clear and minimalist design of its exterior showcases a new form of mobility geared squarely to the needs of the vehicle’s occupants. Its interior offers those on board innovative options for using the time during a journey – and enjoying relaxation, safety, security, and a new form of luxury in the process.

“The BMW iX shows how we can give new technologies a very modern and emotional design. The car is technologically complex, but it feels very clear and uncomplicated,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The BMW iX offers a mobile living space in which people will feel at ease, where the car’s intelligence is only there when you need it.”

Ends

Fuel consumption, CO2 emission figures and power consumption were measured using the methods required according to Regulation VO (EC) 2007/715 as amended. The figures are calculated using a vehicle fitted with basic equipment in Germany, the ranges stated take into account differences in selected wheel and tyre sizes as well as the optional equipment. They may change during configuration.

The details marked * have already been calculated based on the new WLTP test cycle and adapted to NEDC for comparison purposes. In these vehicles, different figures than those published here may apply for the assessment of taxes and other vehicle-related duties which are (also) based on CO2 emissions.

For further details of the official fuel consumption figures and official specific CO2emissions of new cars, please refer to the "Manual on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars", available at sales outlets, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at https://www.dat.de/co2/.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 126,016 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

www.bmwgroup.com

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For further information please contact:

Aisling Brogan | Corporate Communications & Events Manager | 086 014 6474 I aisling.brogan@bmw.ie

Munich. With the BMW iX (combined power consumption: < 21 kWh/100km in the WLTP test cycle*; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km), BMW Group ushers in a new age of mobility. The new fully electric BMW model interprets the electric mobility theme innovatively, making use of totally new technologies. The BMW iX, currently in the final stage of development, is due to come onto the market at the end of 2021. However, winter sports fans will get a taste of the new technology flagship in the coming months when under the motto ‘Born Electric’, the BMW iX takes centre stage in the extensive BMW winter sports commitment for the 2020/21 season.

BMW Group has supported the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon, the BMW IBSF World Cup Bob & Skeleton and the FIL Luge World Cup as a strong partner for many years. As part of this commitment, BMW Group will now bring the BMW iX and the motto ‘Born Electric’ into the biathlon stadiums and to the ice channels.

Electric mobility reinterpreted.

The BMW iX is the first BMW model to be based on an all-new technology toolkit and was conceived from day one purely for electric mobility. It innovatively unites the areas of sustainability and climate protection, design, versatility and driving pleasure, and leads the way with future technologies that will also be incorporated into other BMW models in the foreseeable future. According to the latest predictions, the maximum output of the BMW iX will exceed 370 kW/500 hp – with absolutely zero emissions and tremendously low power consumption.

The BMW iX on a winter tour through Europe.

As part of BMW’s involvement in winter sports, the BMW iX is going on a huge tour of Europe in the 2020/21 season. The BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon will be heading to Kontiolahti, Hochfilzen, Oberhof and Antholz. The highlight of the season is the world championships in Pokljuka, Slovenia in February, followed by the season finale in Nove Mesto and Oslo. The locations for the BMW IBSF World Cup Bob & Skeleton and the FIL Luge World Cup include Sigulda, Innsbruck, Winterberg, St. Moritz and Königssee near Berchtesgaden. The Eisarena Königssee will also host the FIL Luge World Championships at the end of January. The BMW IBSF Bob and Skeleton World Championships will be held in Altenberg in the Erz Mountains in February.

* Data on driving performance, energy consumption and range are preliminary and based on forecasts.

The vision becomes reality, as the BMW Vision iNEXT becomes the BMW iX. A year before its market launch at the end of 2021, the BMW Group is providing a first look ahead to the future BMW iX, which is currently still in the series development phase. The BMW iX is the first model based on a new, modular, scalable future toolkit developed by the BMW Group; its focus is a fresh interpretation of design, sustainability, driving pleasure, versatility and luxury.

Conceived from the outset for purely electric mobility, the iX sees BMW redefining the successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept. With its completely newly developed, precise and minimalist design, the BMW iX is the first representative of a trailblazing generation of cars poised to redefine the driving experience, the feeling of interior space and the relationship between a vehicle and those on board.

The BMW iX harnesses the latest innovations in the fields of electrification, automated driving and connectivity to deliver a mobility experience which has a greater focus than ever on people. This is why the iX has been developed from the inside out, with a clear emphasis on quality of life and wellbeing for drivers and passengers. The clear and minimalist exterior design showcases a new form of mobility geared squarely to the needs of the vehicle’s occupants. Its interior offers those on board innovative options for using the time during a journey – and enjoying relaxation, safety, security, and a new form of luxury in the process.

The BMW Group’s new technology flagship – courtesy of BMW i, the “workshop for the future”.
The design and technology of the BMW iX form an overall package that lays the foundations for a new kind of driving experience. In so doing, it comprehensively embodies the character of the BMW i brand, whose mission is to transform personal mobility. BMW i plays a central role at the BMW Group as a “workshop for the future” and driver of innovation across the company.

“The BMW Group is constantly striving to re-invent itself. That is a central element of our corporate strategy,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “The BMW iX expresses this approach in an extremely concentrated form.”

The BMW iX, the BMW Group’s new technology flagship, will go into production at BMW Plant Dingolfing from the second half of 2021. It brings together the company’s latest developments in the strategically important fields of Design, Automated Driving, Connectivity, Electrification and Services. Added to which, the vehicle concept and design of the BMW iX are rooted in an all-embracing approach to sustainability. This is reflected in areas of the car such as its optimised aerodynamics, intelligent lightweight design and extensive use of natural and recycled materials, which help to create a cutting-edge sense of luxury and comprehensive feeling of wellbeing on board.

Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology delivers outstanding efficiency and long range.
The fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology – which encompasses the two electric motors, the power electronics, the charging technology and the high-voltage battery – guarantees exceptional efficiency. The power unit developed by the BMW Group is manufactured sustainably, without the use of critical raw materials known as rare earths and will, according to the most recent calculations, develop maximum output of more than 500 hp. That will be enough to power the BMW iX from 0 to 62 mph in under 5.0 seconds.

A clear development aim was for the BMW iX to post an exceptionally low combined electric power consumption figure for its segment of less than 21 kWh per 100 kilometres in the WLTP test cycle. A gross energy content of more than 100 kWh should enable the latest-generation high-voltage battery to record a range of over 600 kilometres in the WLTP cycle. That equates to more than 300 miles according to the EPA’s FTP-75 test procedure. (All figures relating to performance, energy consumption and range are provisional values based on the car’s current stage of development.)

DC fast charging: over 75 miles of extra range in ten minutes.
The new charging technology of the BMW iX enables DC fast charging at up to 200 kW.

This means the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent of its full capacity in under 40 minutes. Added to which, within ten minutes enough energy can be fed into the battery to increase the car’s range by more than 75 miles. It takes less than eleven hours to charge the high-voltage battery from 0 to 100 per cent at 11 kW from a Wallbox.

The batteries fitted in the BMW iX are designed as part of a long-term resource cycle and enable an exceptionally high recycling rate. The power used to produce the battery cells and the high-voltage battery as a whole come exclusively from renewable sources.

New technology toolkit underpins further advances towards automated driving.
The new technology toolkit making its debut in the BMW iX also provides the platform for significant progress in the areas of automated driving and digital services. For example, the level of computing power has been developed to process 20 times the data volume of previous models. As a result, around double the amount of data from vehicle sensors can be processed than was previously possible.

“We are setting new industry standards with the technology in the BMW iX. The iX has more computing power for data processing and more powerful sensor technology than the newest vehicles in our current line-up, is 5G-capable, will be given new and improved automated driving and parking functions and uses the high-performing fifth generation of our electric drive system,” says Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development.

Fresh design for a new driving experience.
The BMW iX is leading the way for a future generation of cars with which the company is redefining sustainability, driving pleasure and what it means to be premium. This trailblazing character is clearly expressed in the car’s design. It provides the basis for a new kind of driving experience in which familiarity, relaxation and self-determination are the dominant themes.

The exterior of the BMW iX represents a distinctive re-imagining of the powerful proportions of a large BMW SAV. The BMW iX is comparable with the BMW X5 in length and width, and is almost the same height as the BMW X6 on account of its flowing roofline. The size of its wheels, meanwhile, brings to mind the BMW X7.

The minimalist use of character lines and generously shaped surfaces conjure a sense of supreme assurance. The crisp lines, clear structure and almost rectangular contours around the wheel arches contribute to an imposing body design. And the reduced design language steers the eye onto precisely constructed details which accentuate the sophisticated character, brand identity and optimised aerodynamics of the BMW iX.

Front end: expressive, vertical kidney grille serves as an intelligence panel.
At the front stands the prominent, vertically emphasised kidney grille. Since the electric drive system of the BMW iX requires only a small amount of cooling air, the kidney grille is completely blanked off. Its role has duly turned digital and it functions as an intelligence panel. Camera technology, radar functions and other sensors are integrated seamlessly into the grille behind a transparent surface.

Developed and produced at the BMW Group’s lightweight design and technology centre (LuTZ) in Landshut, the kidney grille for the BMW iX presents a technologically lavish advertisement for intelligent mobility. The grille has reinvented itself as an innovative and multifunctional high-tech interface for the advanced driver assistance systems with which the BMW iX paves the way for automated driving.

Clearly designed surfaces, discreetly integrated technology.
The exterior design highlights of the BMW iX also include the slimmest headlight units ever to feature on a series-produced model from BMW, the flush-fitted door openers (operated at the press of a button), the frameless side windows, the tailgate – which has no separation joints and extends across the whole of the rear – and the likewise extremely slim rear lights.

The BMW kidney grille is not the only example of how the principle of shy tech has been integrated into the design of the BMW iX: an array of other cameras and sensors are positioned discreetly, the door openers are flush, the windscreen washer-fluid cap is concealed under the BMW logo on the bonnet and the rear-view camera has been integrated into the BMW logo on the tailgate. In each case, the technology stays in the background and only becomes apparent as and when the relevant functions are called into action.

“The BMW iX shows how we can give new technologies a very modern and emotionally engaging design. The car is technologically highly complex, but it feels very clear and uncomplicated,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The BMW iX offers a mobile living space in which people will feel at ease and the car’s intelligence is always available without becoming obtrusive.”

Interior design: people at centre stage.
A high level of spaciousness, a mixture of high-quality materials, newly developed seats with integral head restraints and an exceptionally large panoramic glass roof immerse all five seats of the BMW iX cabin in a luxurious, lounge-like ambience. The all-new architecture of the BMW iX cabin underpins a perfectly clear and straightforward functionality that revolves entirely around the needs and emotions of the driver and their fellow occupants. The drive concept means there is no centre tunnel, adding to the open, airy feel while also allowing extra legroom in the front and rear, sufficient space for storage facilities, and a centre console crafted to look like a high-quality piece of furniture. The minimalistic design language and clearly structured surfaces shine an even brighter spotlight on the feeling of spaciousness inside the car.

The displays and controls are all stripped down to the essentials, further reinforcing the impression of an uncluttered cabin offering a place of relaxation. Technology inside BMW iX is intelligent and only becomes visible when it is needed. This makes it intuitive to use rather than seeming overly complex. The interior design conveys a sense of safety and familiarity, engendering a new type of bond between occupants and vehicle. The shy tech approach for the interior can be seen in a number of features, including speakers integrated out of sight, intricately styled air vents, heated surfaces and the discreet recessing of the BMW Head-Up Display’s projector into the instrument panel so it is almost invisible. The hexagonally shaped steering wheel, a rocker switch for gear selection and the BMW Curved Display – which forms part of the next-generation BMW Operating System – clearly signal the futuristic form of driving pleasure on offer.

Intelligent lightweight design and optimised aerodynamics increase range.

The electric range of the new BMW iX benefits from the vehicle’s innovative lightweight design and optimised aerodynamics. Its body structure, featuring an aluminium spaceframe and innovative Carbon Cage, has an extremely high torsional stiffness which enhances agility and maximises occupant protection while minimising weight. The intelligent material mix, with a variety of materials employed exactly where their specific properties can be utilised to best effect, is unique in this segment. Combined, these elements ensure iX is remarkably composed and relaxing driving characteristics, while also providing an instant and precise response to every movement of the accelerator and turn of the steering wheel.

Fully capitalising on the benefits of the all-electric drive system and meticulously implementing proven measures from the past in the front end of the car, the underbody section, the wheels and the rear end gives the BMW iX optimised aerodynamics which have a positive effect on both the performance and range of the purely electrically powered SAV. The BMW iX boasts outstanding aerodynamics for its class, with a drag coefficient (C_d) of just 0.25.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2019, the BMW Group sold over 2.5 million passenger vehicles and more than 175,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 126,016 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmwgroup/

For further information please contact:

Aisling Brogan | Corporate Communications & Events Manager | 086 014 6474 I aisling.brogan@bmw.ie