BMW Group UK is celebrating a strong start to the summer awards season, after receiving recognition from a range of leading automotive titles. Highlights include recent successes for BMW and MINI, at the 2026 Autocar Awards, Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards, What Car? Tow Car Awards, Auto Express Driver Power 2026 and the EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards.

Autocar name Neue Klasse architecture as ‘Mundy Award for Engineering’ winner,
with MINI JCW winning ‘Future Classic’ Award at 2026 Autocar Awards.
Earlier this week, BMW Group secured two coveted accolades at the annual Autocar Awards. All-new Neue Klasse architecture has received the prestigious Mundy Award for Engineering at the 2026 Autocar Awards. The Mundy Award is a highly regarding award that recognises standout engineering feats within the automotive industry for their exceptional technical contributions and innovation. The Neue Klasse architecture underlines the future BMW model portfolio, with BMW iX3, BMW 7 Series & BMW i3 already announced, and up to 40 new or updated models launching in the coming two years. Speaking on the origins, Mike Reichelt, the Head of Neue Klasse, stated that “we went all in and pushed every technology to the boundaries to lead BMW into the future. Ultimately it feels like a BMW, but a completely modern one and a new interpretation of what a BMW should be. And that’s the biggest compliment we can get”. The Neue Klasse architecture marks the first time a ‘product’ has been received this prize, rather than an individual person, since the Autocar’s inaugural awards ceremony in 2017. Speaking on the win, judges commented that the first of the Neue Klasse models – the BMW iX3 – “is amongst the finest electric cars yet”.

MINI was also victorious on the night, as Autocar named the MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) as the winner of their Future Classic Award for 2026. The MINI JCW was praised for its “compelling hot hatchback charm and trademark desirability”, as it was benchmarked on its driving dynamics and significance in the current automotive market.

BMW iX3 wins ‘Youtube Director Award’ at Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards 2026.
At the ninth annual Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards, the BMW iX3 was revealed as the winner of this year’s Youtube Director Award. This award is presented to a vehicle launched during the past 12 months that has stood out above the competition after being tested by Autotrader’s Youtube Director, Rory Reid.

Speaking on the accolade, Rory commented, “The BMW iX3 stands out as a genuinely complete electric car. It combines a strong real-world range with everyday practicality, a high-quality, intuitive interior, and a driving experience that still feels distinctively BMW.” To conclude, Rory states, “[the iX3 is] one of the most convincing all-round EVs on sale today”.

Triple success for BMW at 2026 What Car? Tow Car Awards.
The annual What Car? Tow Car Awards help drivers choose a car that performs well both when towing and during everyday driving. Since its introduction in 2007, these awards assist buyers when it comes to towing capabilities across a range of weight classes. This year, the BMW 530e Touring was selected as the overall winner, claiming the headline award, as well as class winner for ‘best car for caravans over 1,700kg’. Speaking on the triumph, judges praised the BMW 530e Touring for its “extreme stability”, “excellent fuel economy”, and “luxurious and roomy” interior. What Car? Editor, Steve Huntingford concluded by stating, “we tested many impressive cars this year, but none is better than the overall champion, the BMW 530e Touring. It makes an exceptional tow car”.

Meanwhile, the all-new BMW iX3 was awarded ‘best electric car for caravans over 1,400kg’. What Car? commented, “Electric tow cars are improving at an impressive rate. There’s no better example than the BMW iX3”. As reigning What Car? Car of the Year, the BMW iX3 impressed judges by being a “powerful and stable tow car”, and What Car? Editor, Steve Huntingford, emphasised that the BMW iX3 is the “new standard-setter for electric tow cars”.

BMW takes home four trophies at EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards 2026.
BMW was recently awarded four category wins at the EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards 2026. Now in its fifth year as a standalone awards event, the Top 50 celebrate the very best electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid and hydrogen vehicles on sale in the UK. The 2026 awards saw BMW triumph, with four models placing within the top 31.

The all-new BMW iX3 was crowned ‘Best Electric Executive SUV’, as judges praised its “class leading” electric range, “premium interior”, and “BMW’s characteristic driving dynamics”.

Meanwhile, for the fifth consecutive year, the BMW iX was selected as “Best Electric Luxury SUV”. Judges commented, “A recent facelift has only improved what was already one of the finest electric vehicles on sale”. Impressed by the model’s “lounge-like interior”, “state of the art” display screen, and usable performance, Diesel & Eco Car Editor, Ian Robertson, stated that the BMW iX is “one of his favourite cars on sale right now”.

The BMW 5 Series and BMW i5 were named as “Best Plug-in Hybrid Executive Car” & “Best Electric Executive Car” respectively. Judges described these cars as “exceptional all-rounders that combine refinement, driver engagement and practicality in a thoroughly convincing package. Touring estate versions only enhance its appeal”.

Best Coupe and Family Car wins for BMW at Auto Express’ 2026 Driver Power survey.
The annual Auto Express Driver Power survey asks thousands of new car buyers to share their thoughts on the current automotive market and their real-world experiences during vehicle ownership. The results provide a good insight into what new car owners actually think of the cars they purchased and drive every day, helping fellow motorists choose their next vehicles. This year, BMW performed across a number of classes. The BMW 2 Series was named as ‘Best Coupe’, with buyers highlighting interior quality, driving pleasure and engine sounds as reasons to recommend. Particular praise was given to the infotainment system, with extra points noted for the ‘user-friendly controls and smartphone connectivity.

Meanwhile the BMW 1 Series was triumphant in ‘Best Family Car’ category with highlights including infotainment technology, interior styling and reliability. Notable impressions being that the BMW 1 Series scored highest in the survey for front seat comfort with 93.2% of customers rating this highly. The two above BMW models both placed within the top 6 of the 50 surveyed models.

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 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 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133,5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 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 through production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup


For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

BMW Group UK finishes January in a strong position, announcing several model updates to further enhance its already-compelling product portfolio. BMW iX1 and BMW iX2 benefit from an increased range thanks to technological refinements, while BMW 2, 3 and 4 Series model derivatives receive an elevated M Sport Pro offering. Building on a successful month of accolades, the BMW i7 was named overall winner at the Professional Driver Car of the Year awards. Meanwhile, BMW and MINI retained Company Car and Van’s overall Fleet Manufacturer of the Year title for a second consecutive year. Furthermore, a raft of BMW M5 models, finished in BMW Individual exterior paint, join the UK press fleet and will soon be available for testing.

Introducing a range of BMW model updates from March 2026.
From March 2026 onwards, BMW iX1 and BMW iX2 models will benefit from an increased all-electric range thanks to the implementation of silicon-carbide semiconductor components in the power electronics (SiC inverter). This technology enables greater efficiency and reduced consumption, resulting in a single-charge range of up to 320 miles (WLTP¹) in the case of the BMW iX1 eDrive20, while xDrive30 models will be able to cover a maximum of 290 miles¹ between charge stops. BMW iX2 models will deliver comparable efficiency, with up to 320 miles¹ and up to 297 miles¹ achievable in eDrive20 and xDrive30 variants respectively.

Also arriving in spring are new elevated M Sport Pro models for BMW 2, 3 and 4 Series derivatives. Previously packaged as a standalone option in conjunction with the M Sport trim level, the new standalone M Sport Pro models bring an increased level of standard equipment, including 19-inch M Sport alloy wheels, red-painted brake callipers, Adaptive LED Headlights and darkened exterior design features. Available to order from retailers nationwide, first deliveries of the new M Sport Pro models will take place in April 2026.

In addition to these model updates, from February 2026 production, all BMW models will be adorned with the new BMW roundel – first showcased on the all-new BMW iX3. A revised BMW M logo will be introduced at the same time. 

BMW triumphs at the 2026 Professional Driver Car of the Year awards.
BMW UK celebrated a successful evening at the 2026 Professional Driver Car of the Year awards after the BMW i7 was crowned overall Car of the Year. Alongside the headline award, the flagship saloon topped the Chauffeur Car category, while the BMW 550e xDrive was selected by Professional Driver readers as Executive Car of the Year.

Commenting on the success of the BMW i7, Professional Driver Editor, Mark Bursa said, “The new 7-series has become a game-changer in the chauffeur market, giving drivers and operators a practical and supremely luxurious electric limousine. In London especially, TfL insists that new licensed cars have to be electric, and the i7 is the only really suitable option.”

The Professional Driver Awards are judged by the publication’s readership, who test and score more than 50 cars during an intensive single-day judging event held in August. The awards were announced at the Professional Driver awards dinner at the Brighton Metropole Hotel yesterday evening.

Double success for BMW Group at the 2026 Company Car and Van Awards.
The annual Company Car and Van Awards provide expert guidance to those responsible for shaping company fleets across the UK, recognising the best manufacturers and vehicles for specific fleet use cases.

At this year’s awards, BMW and MINI were named as the overall Fleet Manufacturer of the Year for the second consecutive year. Commenting on the win, Andrew Walker, Editor of Company Car and Van said, “They’ve cemented their position again as the most forward-thinking premium brands across all car sizes. A worthy winner. Every company car sector is covered from the MINI Cooper Electric to the updated BMW iX”.

In addition to the leading award, the recently revised BMW iX was presented the award for Premium Car of the Year. Judges praised its “amazing” drive and highlighted its “class-leading” interior. “Not one to stand still, BMW took a very good car in the iX and in 2025 made it even better, simplifying the model line-up and tweaking it here and there to make it drive and handle even better than before,” Walker added.

A raft of BMW M5 models finished in BMW Individual paint join the UK press fleet.
BMW UK recently added six new BMW M5 models in a range of special BMW Individual exterior paint finishes to its press fleet. The six cars include both Saloon and Touring body styles enveloped in Le-Mans Blue, Wildberry, Malachite Green, Chalk Grey, Anglesey Green and Fashion Grey paint finishes.

From legendary classics to innovative new shades, the BMW Individual paint programme comprises over 150 exclusive colours, offering BMW’s most discerning customers the opportunity to uniquely personalise their vehicle over and above the core options list.

The shades carefully selected for the new range of BMW M5 press cars gently nod to the brand’s rich heritage. For example, the Le-Mans-Blue-painted BMW M5 Saloon is a homage to the iconic 24-hours of Le Mans race – where BMW last took overall victory with the V12 LMR in 1999 – and matches the E39 BMW M5 from BMW UK’s heritage fleet.

For more information on BMW Individual, please click here.


Ends


1. The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) is for comparison only. Actual range varies with vehicle specification and equipment, state of charge, battery condition, driving style, in-car system use, route and ambient temperature.


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 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 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.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

BMW Group UK enters autumn in a strong position, having collected a variety of industry accolades at recent awards. Four of which were collected at the What Car? Electric Car Awards 2025, where the BMW i7 retained its Best Electric Luxury Car title for the third consecutive year. Similar success followed at the annual Towcar of the Year Awards with three category wins, including a double for the recently updated BMW iX. Meanwhile, MINI further strengthens its model lineup with the introduction of the new MINI Countryman E Monochrome, offering a sleek design and an enhanced standard specification.

BMW Group collects four awards at the What Car? Electric Car Awards 2025.
BMW Group recently secured four category wins at the What Car? Electric Awards, which each year celebrate the best electric vehicles (EVs) currently available for the UK market. Considering innovation, performance and sustainability, the awards help consumers identify the best EVs across a range of categories.

The BMW i7 was named Best Electric Luxury Car for the third consecutive year, as BMW continues to “set the standard” for electric luxury cars, said What Car? Editor, Steve Huntingford. “The i7 and iX are both so good that they’ve earned our maximum five-star rating.” Continuing its status as class-leader, the flagship saloon was praised by judges for its “incredible comfort”, “beautiful” finish, unique technology – such as the “fabulous 8K cinema screen” – and its “uncanny ability to shut out unwanted noise.”

Also celebrated by the publication was the BMW 330e, which claimed the title for Best Used Hybrid Executive Car. Commenting on the win, Huntingford praised its “low running costs”, “driver appeal”, and “plush interior”. Meanwhile, the BMW 530e secured the Best Used Hybrid Estate award, offering “space, quality and efficiency that’s unmatched”. The final trophy of the night was presented to the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4, which topped the Best Used Hybrid Small SUV category, thanks to its impressive reliability – scoring 99.7 per cent in the recent What Car? Reliability Survey – and class-leading refinement.

BMW iX and BMW X3 commended at the annual Towcar of the Year Awards.
Continuing its winning streak, BMW celebrated success at the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Awards – an annual celebration of the best cars currently available for consumers with towing needs. To qualify, all manufacturers must take part in a rigorous testing process across four days at Millbrook Proving Ground. Participating models are scored on practicality, innovation and overall driving experience, in addition to their all-important towing capacity.

The recently revised BMW iX secured two awards, leading both the Caravan Weight over 2,000kg and Electric Towcar categories. On presenting the accolades, judges named the iX “one of its star performers”, and paid tribute to the adaptive air suspension’s ability to “keep everything stable, composed and level when hitched, while regenerative braking helped control descents.”

An additional title was presented to the BMW X3 M50 xDrive, after topping the Caravan Weight 1700-1800kg category. Judges commended the M Performance model’s towing capabilities, stating, “The [BMW] X3 undeniably has a quality feel, especially when towing: it’s stable, secure and delivers immense confidence when braking.” The panel were equally impressed by its driving dynamics; “it’s a really fun car to drive that offers class-leading acceleration performance,” they continued.

Introducing the new MINI Countryman E Monochrome.
MINI is pleased to introduce the new MINI Countryman E Monochrome. The largest member of the MINI family is the third model to receive the Monochrome treatment, following the launch of the MINI Cooper Electric Monochrome and the MINI Aceman Monochrome in July.

Like its siblings, the special edition is offered in a fixed specification, where customers can select from Midnight Black or Nanuq White exterior paint finishes and benefit from an increased level of standard equipment, including MINI Navigation with Head-Up Display, wireless charging and LED headlights. Black 18-inch Asteroid Spoke alloy wheels are also standard, alongside a body-coloured roof for a seamless finish.

Inside, an Anthracite headliner is accompanied by a model-exclusive interior pattern, where the new multitone fabric spreads across the front and rear seats, finished with white and yellow stitching.

The MINI Countryman E Monochrome is equipped with a 64.6 kWh battery, enabling 10–80-per-cent charging in 29 minutes when using a 130 kW DC charger. The model is priced at £32,595 OTR, with initial customer deliveries commencing in January 2026.

For more information about the MINI Monochrome lineup, visit mini.co.uk.

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 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 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 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.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup


For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

James Morrison
Head of Product Communications
Tel: 07815 372 646
Email: James.Morrison@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

British endurance athlete and adventurer Ross Edgley has once again defied the limits of human performance, completing a record-breaking swim around the coastline of Iceland.

Starting on Saturday 17^th May, Edgley has since covered over 1,000 miles (1610 km), finishing at Nauthólsvík Beach in Reykjavík on Monday 8^th September.

In partnership with BMW, the 39-year-old swam through some of the most hostile waters on Earth, enduring freezing temperatures, unpredictable currents, and violent storms to become the first person to achieve this feat.

The challenge marks one of Edgley’s most audacious expeditions to date, having previously become the first person to swim around the mainland of Great Britain in 2018, and completing the world’s longest non-stop river swim in 2024, covering 510 km down Canada’s Yukon River.

“This has been the toughest and most ambitious challenge I have attempted yet,” said Edgley upon completing the swim. “Iceland provided an incredible opportunity to test my physical and mental limits – the country has provided some insane experiences I will never forget.”

Throughout the expedition, the fleet of BMW iX vehicles was used by the support team to navigate Iceland’s rugged terrain, transport critical equipment, and provide real-time logistical support along the constantly shifting coastline - playing a vital role in the overall success of the challenge.

With a 68ft SKIRR Adventures expedition yacht serving as his floating base, the on-board crew also endured hostile Icelandic conditions while ensuring Edgley was kept fed, hydrated and tended to his battle wounds, enabling him to complete swim after swim.

On board, Edgley and his team also partnered with local scientists and conservationists to raise awareness about marine ecosystems, the impact of climate change on the North Atlantic, and Iceland’s environment, collecting vital samples around Iceland’s coastline during the swim.

“We wanted to help scientists understand how these waters are changing” said Edgley. “To find out how widespread pollutants like micro-plastics are, and to conduct the first ever e-DNA study around the entire coast for the EU project, Bioprotect. Swimming day in and day out gave us a completely unique perspective on the ocean, and it was a privilege to support real-time research that could aid in future conservation efforts.”

Edgley previously admitted to being inspired to take on the challenge by world-renowned actor and fitness enthusiast Chris Hemsworth, who said: “Ross breaks the mould and redefines endurance sport and adventure. He’s what happens when tough and crazy collide. This wasn’t just a swim; it was an epic saga that now takes its rightful place in Icelandic folklore.”

As well as Hemsworth, TV adventurer Bear Grylls has also been impressed by the challenge, adding: “In achieving this, Ross has rewritten the limits of human potential… in terms of survival it’s hard to explain just how demanding and draining ice cold rough seas are on the body. It takes commitment and resilience to another level.”

The swim will be documented in a forthcoming documentary series with Channel 4, offering an unfiltered look at the psychological and physical demands of this epic adventure, along with stunning footage of Iceland’s dramatic and remote coastal landscapes.

To learn more about The Great Icelandic Swim and the BMW iX, please visit bmw.co.uk.

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 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 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 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.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Helen Wilson
Corporate and Brand Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
Head of Corporate, Brand and Internal Communications
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

BMW UK has collected 12 industry awards in recent weeks, reflecting strong recognition across a broad range of segments. Five awards were presented at last night’s Auto Express New Car Awards, including two wins for the newly revised BMW iX. Also announced this week was EcoCar’s Electrified Top 50 for 2025, which featured a double win for the BMW i5, alongside recognition for the BMW iX, BMW i7 and BMW 330e. The BMW iX3 and BMW i4 further contributed to BMW’s winning streak, after each took a top spot at the 2025 Autotrader Driver’s Choice Awards, based on feedback from British car owners.

BMW claims five accolades at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2025.
BMW proudly collected five awards at last night’s Auto Express New Car Awards, judged by the title’s expert automotive editorial team. The awards are designed to help car buyers choose the best models on the market, with judging based on practicality, efficiency, price, reliability and the overall driving experience.

Congratulating BMW on its achievements this year, Auto Express Editor Paul Barker said: “Five separate awards across four of its models highlights the strength and depth of BMW’s range, with cars as diverse as the sporty 2 Series Coupé and big iX electric SUV picked out by our judges as the best at what they do... “BMW manages to keep driving pleasure core to its cars’ appeal without sacrificing practicality or efficiency, and we’re delighted it keeps producing the goods.”

The new BMW iX was presented with two awards on the night, recognising it as both Premium SUV of the Year and Premium Electric Car of the Year. Describing the iX as “a hugely impressive premium SUV” which has “got even better with its recent update”, Auto Express judges commended the technology flagship for its “stunning interior” and a driving experience which “completely belies its size and weight”. It’s “hugely practical” and “a brilliant and comfortable long-distance cruiser”, judges added.

In the Premium Mid-sized SUV category, the BMW X3 stood out among the competition, with the latest generation described as “moving the game on”. “It had an awful lot to live up to, considering how good its predecessor was,” said judges. Yet the new BMW X3 continues to deliver, impressing the panel with its diverse powertrains, innovative technology, cabin quality and practicality, with “almost no flaws.”

The publication’s preferred Premium Hybrid was the BMW 530e, with this latest award further reinforcing the eighth-generation 5 Series’ reputation as the world’s most successful business saloon. “Great range figures from the battery and electric motor combined with an engaging drive, plush cabin and cutting-edge tech gives the BMW 530e an edge over any of its rivals,” Barker commented. “It's comfortable and refined on the motorway but fun when you're off the main roads – our favourite premium hybrid car.”

The fourth and final BMW to receive praise at the ceremony was the BMW 2 Series Coupé, after it was named Premium Coupé of the Year. Speaking on the win, Barker said, “The 2 Series Coupé feels like an old-school BMW, in a good way. Its simple front-engine, rear-drive layout delivers a hugely engaging driving experience in compact and nimble dimensions, and the crowning glory is the incredible M2.”

Five awards presented to BMW at the EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards 2025.
Held annually, the EcoCar Electrified Top 50 counts down the very best cars in the electrified world, encompassing a wide variety of electrified powertrains from mild hybrid to fully electric. The BMW 330e, BMW i7 and BMW i5 all featured in this year’s shortlist, while the new BMW iX placed fifth in the overall rankings. In addition, each model topped its respective category, with the BMW i5 securing a double win.

Now offering up to 63 miles (WLTP¹) of all-electric range, the recently refreshed BMW 330e was voted EcoCar’s Best Plug-in Hybrid Compact Executive Car, described as the “ideal” choice for “business users and urban drivers alike.” Speaking on the win, judges said, “The 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor work in seamless tandem, while the handling remains benchmark-sharp. Subtle styling tweaks and an improved infotainment system further cement its all-round appeal.”

Next to be recognised was the BMW i7, which took home the award for Best Electric Luxury Car. “As luxury EVs go, few can match the serenity and spectacle of the BMW i7,” said EcoCar. Praised for its substantial single-charge range, “limousine levels of comfort” and “jaw-dropping” rear-seat theatre screen, the flagship saloon was also commended by judges for its “exceptional” refinement, “effortless” performance and for a technology package that manages to be “futuristic without being overwhelming.”

The title for Best Electric Luxury SUV was awarded to the new BMW iX, which secured fifth place in EcoCar’s Top 50 countdown. The BMW iX’s “carbon core chassis, refined ride and spacious lounge-like interior deliver comfort and composure in equal measure,” said EcoCar Editor, Ian Robertson. “Technology lovers will enjoy the vast curved display and sophisticated driver assistance systems, while luxury SUV buyers will appreciate its serene character and quality materials throughout. It’s like sitting in your lounge on your driveway.”

The BMW i5 rounded off the awards with a double win, after it was named Best Electric Executive Car and Best Electric Estate Car. Labelled by EcoCar as a “masterclass in premium motoring,” the BMW i5 was acknowledged for its compelling technology package, efficiency and overall refinement. “Estate buyers will love the new Touring models, that are a perfect blend of business sense and driving pleasure,” the judging panel added.

Autotrader celebrate the BMW i4 and BMW iX3 at their Drivers’ Choice Awards.
Formerly known as the Autotrader New Car Awards, the Drivers’ Choice Awards are uniquely positioned as they are judged not by the opinions of industry leaders, but by car owners themselves. Over 200,000 British car owners completed an online survey, determining 20 of this year’s 25 award-winning models and sharing exactly what they thought of their car.

BMW celebrated double success, as the brand received two coveted category wins. First to be recognised was the BMW iX3, which continues to impress the driving public as it was named the UK’s Best Premium Electric Car for 2025. The BMW i4 also triumphed, taking top spot in the UK’s Best Car for Families category.

Commenting on BMW’s success, Erin Baker, Autotrader’s Editorial Director, said, “BMW has made huge strides with its electric range, and securing two separate trophies is a huge and much deserved achievement.

“The i4 proves that SUVs aren’t the only choice for families and confidently fended off competition from much larger rivals. It scored top marks for its ability to carry a family of four in comfort whilst having plenty of oomph to put a smile on the driver’s face. And if recognition for one brilliant EV wasn’t enough, BMW’s iX3 took the trophy for Best Premium Electric Car, receiving high praise from owners for its design inside and out, with one telling us that ‘It’s extremely well packaged and designed with lots of usable space, has excellent range and brilliant performance to boot.’ Great work BMW.”


Ends

1) Up to 63 miles of all-electric range achievable for the BMW 330e Saloon as part of the WLTP test cycle.


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 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 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.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

 

For further information please contact:

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

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

In 2025, ultra-marathon sea swimmer Ross Edgley will attempt a historic first - swimming over 1,000 miles (1,610 km) around Iceland’s entire coastline while conducting crucial ocean conservation research.

Commencing 16 May, this record-breaking expedition will push the limits of human performance, innovation, and sustainability. Driven by a bold commitment to sustainability, Edgley is dedicated to minimising his environmental impact at every stroke - harnessing innovative sustainable practices, renewable energy and cutting-edge technology to reduce carbon emissions.

Just as Edgley’s challenge in the water demands unwavering resilience in one of the most extreme environments on Earth, BMW’s all-electric land support brings class-leading range, efficiency and performance.



Renowned for its 20 metre waves, 260 km/h gusts of wind, and storms of snow, sand and volcanic ash, Iceland presents an unforgiving test of endurance. To succeed, Edgley must swim over 30 km per day in freezing waters, navigate treacherous conditions, and share the ocean with killer whales - all while contributing to vital ocean environmental and conservation research.

To put that into perspective, it’s like swimming the English Channel every single day, in water temperatures as low as 1°C (33.8°F). No stranger to ambitious swims, Edgley became the first - and so far, only - person to swim 1,780 miles around Great Britain (2018). More recently, in 2024, he completed the world’s longest non-stop river swim, covering 510 km down Canada’s Yukon River. But this challenge around Iceland will be unlike anything he has faced before.

More than just a world-first endurance feat, this expedition is also a pioneering citizen science study. It will see Ross collect water samples in a unique collaboration between leading researchers from the University of Iceland and the University of Victoria (Canada), supported by Future Oceans International to analyse and map microplastic distribution in the waters around Iceland. He will also team up with the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute of Iceland and #BioProtect as part of an ambitious international EU project to map biodiversity and identify what marine creatures are present in Iceland’s water through daily eDNA¹ samples. All Humpback whales and Orcas sighted during the trip will also be photographed for a unique study tracking cetacean movements and numbers around Iceland.

Speaking about the expedition, Edgley said, “Iceland has an amazing history of sailing and adventure. I grew up with my grandad telling me stories of great explorers navigating every fjord, bay, and beach for the first time in the late 9th century. Now I’m a little older, I would love to follow in their footsteps, but since I’m not much of a sailor, swimming around it seemed like the next logical choice.”

He adds: “But in all seriousness, Iceland is one of nature’s great masterpieces, and swimming around it represents a unique opportunity to fuse sport, adventure, and science. We’re working with some incredible researchers from the University of Iceland and the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute to conduct pioneering research that will help preserve and protect our oceans.”

The entire expedition, expected to take around three months, is supported by lead sponsors BMW and Gym King. The new all-electric BMW iX will serve as the challenge’s support vehicle. With the highest electric range in its class - up to 426 miles (WLTP²) - and all-wheel drive capability, it is well suited to the demands of Iceland’s climate. EV-specific features such as pre-conditioning will allow the vehicle to warm the cabin and clear ice from the glass ahead of early starts and late finishes. Alongside transporting crew members and essential provisions, it will also support researchers by collecting scientific samples during the journey.

Gym King, a brand built on the foundation of resilience and self-belief, is committed to empowering individuals to push their limits and achieve the extraordinary. As a leading force in athleisure and performance wear, Gym King aligns perfectly with the ethos of Edgley’s challenge, championing mental and physical endurance. Just as Edgley pushes his body and mind to the limit with each swim, Gym King’s presence reinforces the importance of resilience, ensuring the team stays focused and driven in the face of extreme conditions.

Edgley’s Icelandic challenge is also being supported by SKIRR Adventures - an adventure travel brand with extensive experience in these waters, running yearly sailing expeditions to the Arctic Circle. A 68-foot SKIRR Adventures yacht will serve as Ross’ base, with its team of sailors navigating around Iceland as Ross swims. The yacht will be where Ross rests and recovers between swimming shifts, while its skipper closely monitors tides, ice flow, and weather conditions to ensure Ross is prepared for the challenges ahead.

Colette Healy, Marketing Director at BMW UK, said, “This challenge is an extraordinary test of endurance and determination - qualities that resonate deeply with us at BMW. We’re proud to support Ross as he takes on this remarkable feat and pushes the limits of what’s possible. The BMW iX is built for efficiency and performance in the toughest conditions, making it the perfect companion for such an ambitious expedition.”

Jay Parker, CEO of Gym King, adds: “Ross’s journey is the perfect embodiment of our ‘Nothing Beats Belief’ mantra. His unrelenting drive, mental fortitude, and commitment to pushing boundaries make him a true inspiration. We’re proud to support him on his journey, standing for resilience and self-belief every step of the way."

SKIRR founder, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, knows an awful lot about endurance challenges – being the first person to ever sail solo and non-stop around the world. He also first took an expedition to Iceland in 1998. Says Sir Robin on Ross’ upcoming record attempt:

“We sail on inhospitable waters around the world with the Clipper Race and SKIRR runs yearly expeditions to Iceland. Just sailing there, the conditions are harsh enough. So for Ross to be swimming in ice-cold seas, just shy of the Arctic Circle, day in day out, this really will be the ultimate challenge.

“The SKIRR Adventures team is ready to support Ross with both his expedition and the ocean research being carried out as he swims.”

Christophe Pampoulie, Research Director of the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute of Iceland: “Collaborating with Ross during his adventure is a unique opportunity for Icelandic scientists and for the BioProtect EU mission project to promote citizen science and the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) citizen samplers.

“Coastal areas are rarely studied in Iceland due to the lack of small research boats, and the collection of environmental DNA by Ross and his team will drastically improve our knowledge on species distribution and biodiversity..”

To learn more about The Great Icelandic Swim and follow Ross on his journey, visit BMW.co.uk.

Ends

1. Every living thing shed’s its DNA leaving a footprint in the water. eDNA is DNA that organisms shed in their habitat, which scientists can collect, amplify and use for the identification of species living there. The collection of DNA for this project will go on to support tailored management actions for the conservation of marine life in our waters.
2. Up to 426 miles of range achievable for the BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport as part of the WLTP test cycle.

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 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 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.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

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 426 miles¹ (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/62 miles); CO2 class: A), the BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport (power consumption combined according to WLTP: 21.0 kWh/62 miles); CO2 class: A) and the range-topping BMW iX M70 xDrive (power consumption combined according to WLTP: 23.6 kWh/62 miles); 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 34 miles 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.

The UK remains a key market for the new BMW iX, alongside the USA and Germany. 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 UK from May 2025. The new BMW iX is priced from £75,315 OTR.

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

Unique in this segment: A range of up to 426 miles.
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 426 miles, the new BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport sets a benchmark in its competitive environment. Meanwhile, the BMW iX xDrive45 can travel up to 374 miles (WLTP) on a single charge, and up to 366 miles 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 0-62 mph 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 0-62 mph acceleration of 4.6 seconds. Both models have an electronically limited top speed of 124 mph.

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 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 155 mph.

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.

The UK remains a key market for the new BMW iX, alongside the USA and Germany. All derivatives will continue to be produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. First customer deliveries will arrive in the UK from May 2025. The new BMW iX is priced from £75,315 OTR.

Ends

1. Up to 426 miles 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.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall 
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

BMW integrates a new Personal eSIM solution across its model portfolio and forges a partnership with Manchester Airports Group to elevate the airport passenger journey through premium chauffeur-driven experiences. Meanwhile, the brand’s winning streak continues, with both the BMW 5 Series and BMW iX securing accolades at recent awards. MINI also celebrated success, as the all-new MINI Cooper Electric was crowned as Top Gear’s ‘Best EV Supermini’ at their 2024 Electric Car Awards. The BMW Vision Neue Klasse was honoured with T3’s prestigious Design Award in June, while the BMW 3 Series and BMW 8 Series received top titles at cap hpi’s Used Car of the Year Awards.

BMW offers UK customers increased connectivity through Personal eSIM solution.
At the end of April, BMW announced the integration of Transatel’s Ubigi global Personal eSIM solution across its model portfolio. By activating their Personal eSIM, BMW customers in the UK can now enjoy additional infotainment features and unlimited WiFi connectivity in their vehicle using Ubigi’s 5G UK data plan.

Depending on the model, this service enables the in-vehicle WiFi-Hotspot, video streaming services on the central instrument cluster and is particularly useful in conjunction with the Theatre Screen of the BMW i7 and BMW 7 Series, offering a variety of entertainment powered by Amazon Fire TV.

Owners can conveniently configure their Personal eSIM via the My BMW App and subscribe to Ubigi’s UK data plan, priced at £10 per month. This service is available for BMW vehicles with Operating Systems 8, 8.5 and 9* and equipped with the optional Personal eSIM.

BMW Vision Neue Klasse wins T3 Design Award.
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse won T3’s prestigious Design Award in June, celebrating the Vision Vehicle’s innovative and forward-thinking design. Introduced to the T3 Awards in 2022, the design awards recognise products that combine functionality with elegant aesthetics. The BMW Vision Neue Klasse, a fully electric vision car which paves the way for the next-generation of electric BMW models impressed the judges with both its aesthetics and advanced technology. Notable features include the Panoramic Vision head-up display which is visible to all occupants, and minimalistic yet elegant design including such as headlights integrated into the grille, e-ink door handles, and an embossed BMW logo on the bonnet.

BMW partners with CAVU to provide premium chauffeur-driven experiences at aether, The Private Terminal exclusively at Manchester Airport .
BMW has announced a new partnership with CAVU (owned by Manchester Airports Group) to help revolutionise the airport passenger journey. Through this alliance, travellers can enjoy a truly premium experience as they are chauffeured airside using a fleet of luxury BMW vehicles.

The fleet, comprising the all-electric BMW i7, the seven-seater BMW X7 and the high-performance BMW XM, will be used to seamlessly transport passengers from aether – the new Private Terminal, exclusively at Manchester Airport – to and from their aircraft.

Situated in a contemporary, self-contained space, completely separated from the main airport terminal, aether boasts a dining experience by Adam Reid, panoramic runway views, and dedicated staff to attend to guests’ needs. The new terminal opens Monday 4 November and will be available to all** travellers at Manchester Airport as a purchasable service.

Triple victory for the BMW 5 Series and a win for the BMW iX at recent awards .
After an impressive start to 2024, the BMW 5 Series continues its winning streak. Upholding its reputation as the world’s most successful business saloon, it emerged victorious at the Business Motoring and Great British Fleet awards.

The Business Motoring Awards, a valuable reference for SMEs and vehicle operators, celebrate best-in-class suppliers and vehicles. At the 2024 awards, the BMW 5 Series secured both the ‘Best Executive Car’ and ‘Best Company Car’ titles. The model also received commendation from Fleet World at their 2024 Great British Fleet Awards, taking the top spot as ‘Best Fleet Executive Car. Judges praised the model’s performance, comfort and interior quality as “an impressive package”, commenting, “The new 5 Series once again raises the standard in this class and continues to be viewed as the ultimate driving machine.”

Also offered with an all-electric drive as the BMW i5, the eighth generation BMW 5 Series fuses progressive technology with sophisticated styling and hallmark driving pleasure. With these recent acknowledgements, the latest iteration has now accumulated an impressive 13 accolades since its introduction in October last year.

Meanwhile, the BMW iX secured its 16th accolade as ‘Best Business Lease Car’ at the inaugural Leasing.com Awards. The recently established awards are designed to celebrate and recognise excellence in the products and services available within the leasing sector.

On presenting the award, Leasing.com commented, “With awesome real-world range and a cabin that’s a pleasure to spend time in, it’s little surprise that the BMW iX won out when it comes to the Best Business Lease Car category. The importance of premium plug-in power for business users can’t be overstated.” Judges were particularly impressed by the fully-electric SAV’s “innovative design” and “cutting-edge technology,” describing it as “the perfect option for forward-thinking business users that want to make a statement.”

MINI Cooper Electric crowned Top Gear’s ‘Best EV Supermini ’.
Following its launch earlier this month, the all-new MINI Cooper Electric has been awarded ‘Best EV Supermini’ by Top Gear as part of their Electric Awards. Kickstarted in 2019, the annual awards exist to credit the best EVs in the world across an array of categories.

The MINI Cooper Electric was commended by Top Gear for its spacious interior and driving dynamics, with Jason Barlow, Editor-at-large, commented, “Around town the MINI is all the car you’d ever need. The three-door is roomy enough in the back for a six-footer to sit behind another lanky soul – provided the seat is pulled forward. Late night, long way home the Cooper SE risks feeling like a high-tech toy but at heart it’s still a fizzy driving machine Barlow summarises, “Fundamentally, this is a great little car, overflowing with personality, that just happens to be electric.”

Available in two output levels - E and SE - and three well-specified trims - Classic, Exclusive, and Sport – the fifth generation MINI 3-door remains the icon of the MINI family and represents a giant leap for the MINI brand.

BMW 3 Series and BMW 8 Series named winners at cap hpi’s Used Car of the Year Awards .
In June, automotive data company cap hpi announced the winners of its Used Car of the Year Awards for 2024, recognising excellence across a range of categories. The BMW 3 Series was named Upper Medium Car of the Year while the BMW 8 Series secured Executive Car of the Year. The awards follow an extensive data-led judging process that reviewed various factors, including residual value performance and new car registrations.

Ends

^{* The function Personal eSIM is not yet active in vehicles with BMW Operating System 9. It is expected to be enabled over-the-air at a later point in 2024.
** *Terms and conditions apply, see experienceaether.com}

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 over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 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 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.

www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
X: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

For further information please contact:

Tom Evans
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

Additions to the line-up of drive systems and the range of optional extras are set to further increase the appeal and diversity of the BMW product range from spring 2024. The BMW iX2 fully electric model will be available from March 2024 with an additional drive system variant. The drive system offering for the BMW XM has also been expanded. The innovative Highway Assistant will bring increased comfort levels over longer journeys to more of the brand’s model series. And additional exterior paint finishes will be offered for the BMW 5 Series Saloon, BMW X2 and BMW iX2. Customers will also be able to order the business saloon with new variants of the BMW Individual Merino leather trim.

Attractive new features will also be introduced in spring 2024 in the area of digital services. These include easier use of the voice assistant Siri (as part of the integration of the Apple iPhone into cars specified with BMW Operating System 9), and the optimised display of ratings for charging stations for fully electric and plug-in hybrid BMW models. The steady expansion of the range of functions for the My BMW App also continues.

New entry-level variant for the BMW iX2.
BMW’s current model offensive in the area of electric mobility also brings additional variety to the premium compact segment. A new entry-level variant of the fully electric BMW iX2 will go on sale in March 2024. The new BMW iX2 eDrive20 (electric power consumption, combined: 16.9 – 15.3 kWh/62 miles in the WLTP cycle) takes a particularly economical route to delivering locally emission-free driving pleasure in a compact Sports Activity Coupé (SAC). Powered by a 204 hp electric motor at the front axle, it sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 8.6 seconds and posts a range of 273 – 297 miles in the WLTP cycle. Its top speed is limited to 106 mph.

The high-voltage battery in the new BMW iX2 eDrive20 serves up 64.78 kWh of usable energy and can be charged from AC sources at 11 kW as standard and up to 22 kW as an option. DC charging is possible at up to 130 kW. Thanks to extremely efficient charging software and predictive heat management capability, brief stops are enough to significantly increase the battery charge. In ten minutes hooked up to a fast-charging station, the BMW iX2 eDrive20 can take on sufficient energy to boost its range by 75 miles. The BMW iX2 eDrive20 is also equipped for using the Plug & Charge Multi Contract function as standard.

From March 2024, all model variants of the new BMW X2 and new BMW iX2 will also be available with an expanded range of exterior paint finishes. Frozen Black metallic is a new addition to the selection.

BMW XM 50e: high performance with maximum efficiency.
As the latest offshoot of the first ever electrified high-performance model from BMW M GmbH, the new BMW XM 50e (fuel consumption, combined: 166.2 – 217.3 mpg; electric power consumption, combined: 32.2 – 31.5 kWh/62 miles; CO2 emissions, combined: 37 – 30 g/km in the WLTP cycle) blends signature M dynamism, extrovert design and progressive interior luxury with maximum efficiency. Its M HYBRID drive system is composed of a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and an electric motor integrated, together with its power electronics, into the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. This combination produces system output of 476 hp (developed by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 313 hp and the electric motor with up to 197 hp) and maximum system torque of 700 Nm / 516 lb-ft (developed by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 450 Nm / 332 lb-ft and the electric motor with up to 280 Nm / 206 lb-ft).

The latest version of the 3.0-litre combustion engine fitted in the BMW XM 50e owes its enhanced performance characteristics among other things to the Miller combustion cycle, dual injection, an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head and VANOS variable camshaft timing, which now works electrically. The electric motor has a pre-gearing stage patented by BMW, which allows the effective torque at the transmission input for the motor to be increased to 450 Nm (332 lb-ft). The top speed of the high-performance model – which is also equipped with the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive – is an electronically limited to 155 mph. Thanks to an electric range of 48 – 52 miles in the WLTP cycle, the BMW XM 50e can cover much of its everyday mileage – e.g. in urban centres – with zero local emissions. And it can also be driven on electric power alone at speeds of up to 87 mph.

The most efficient version of the new M HYBRID system comes together with the extraordinary presence of the unmistakable high-performance model in the Sports Activity Vehicle segment. The model-specific design features of the new variant include the black accent band along the sides of the car, plus a surround for the BMW kidney grille and trim detailing for the rear diffuser (both in Pearl-effect Chrome), exhaust tailpipe trim in Black high-gloss and silver-coloured bordering for the model badge. Customers wishing to bring an extra personal touch to the interior of their new BMW XM 50e – which also offers a unique combination of modern sports car flair and extravagant luxury with its M-specific cockpit, M multifunction seats, sculptural headliner and M Lounge in the rear compartment – can specify features including exclusive Vintage leather for the upper section of the instrument panel and door trim panels.

Highway Assistant: innovative Level 2 functionality for more models.
Relaxed travel over long distances and an impressive experience of semi-automated driving are the specialities of the Highway Assistant. Launched initially in Germany, the United States and Canada, this package made its debut in the new BMW 5 Series Saloon and is now also available for other current BMW models in available markets.

As an additional function of the Steering and Lane Control Assistant included in the optional Driving Assistant Professional, the Highway Assistant takes over the vehicle’s speed control, distance control and steering on motorways with structurally separated carriageways when travelling at up to 84 mph. The driver can take their hands off the steering wheel and put them in a comfortable position, provided they continue to pay attention to what is happening on the road and are able to take over the steering again at any time. This Level 2 – as determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) – semi-automated driving function will also be available for the BMW 7 Series, BMW iX, BMW XM, BMW X5, BMW X6 and BMW X7 from spring 2024.

The Active Lane Change Assistant with eye confirmation included as part of the new Highway Assistant adds another layer to the semi-automated driving experience. As soon as the traffic situation permits, it is capable of performing the necessary steering movements for an overtaking manoeuvre, for example, and adjusting the vehicle’s speed as required. Plus, for the first time, the driver is able to initiate a lane change suggested by this system by simply looking in the exterior mirror to confirm it.

New digital services, My BMW App with additional functions.
Among the digital services available for the first time from spring 2024 is the extended smartphone integration for vehicles equipped with BMW Operating System 9. This enables the Siri voice assistant for the Apple iPhone to be activated directly by voice command and without needing to also press the push-to-talk button. Elsewhere, the cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps now boasts improved display of information on charging stations. The available images and ratings are shown both in the list of search results and in the detailed display. The charging station ratings will now be shown clearly on a scale of zero to five stars.

As a universal digital interface for data exchange between the customer and their car, the My BMW App offers an ever-expanding number of functions. From spring 2024, Comfort Access with the BMW Digital Key Plus will be integrated into the My BMW App in vehicles equipped with BMW Operating System 8, 8.5 or 9. In addition, the map view for selecting navigation destinations imported into the vehicle has been newly designed. This also improves the search function and the visibility of the most relevant content. Map and routing functions will in future be proposed based on current vehicle or user contexts.

Finally, the new E-mobility Analysis function will also be added to the My Trips menu item in the My BMW App. Based on the customer’s driving behaviour, this function proposes the BMW model with all-electric drive system most suited to them. These recommendations are intended to help spark interest among users of combustion-engined vehicles in switching to an electric vehicle.

*All figures relating to performance, fuel and electricity consumption and emissions are provisional. The stated technical data, fuel consumption and emissions figures relate to the offering in the German market. Dimensions and measurements refer to vehicles with basic configuration in Germany. These may vary depending on the wheel/tyre size and items of optional equipment selected.

ENDS

<sup>*All figures relating to performance, fuel consumption and emissions are provisional. All the stated technical data including fuel consumption, electric range and emissions figures relate to the offering in the German market. Dimensions and measurements refer to vehicles with basic configuration in Germany. These may vary depending on the wheel/tyre size and items of optional equipment selected. **Electronically limited.

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.

For further details of the official fuel consumption figures and official specific CO2 emissions 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/ .</sup>

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 over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2022 was € 23.5 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, the BMW Group had a workforce of 149,475 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.

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/bmw-group/

BMW UK is pleased to announce a new partnership with Wilderness Reserve, a collection of restored properties in rural Suffolk. From July, guests who book to stay at any of the 18 properties across the 8,000-acre estate at Wilderness Reserve will have the opportunity to experience a complimentary all-electric BMW to use at their leisure and throughout the duration of their stay.

Wilderness Reserve is fully committed to sustainability and low impact ways of travelling. Ahead of each stay, guests will have the opportunity to pre-book the spacious fully electric BMW iX or the sporty BMW i4 Gran Coupé, which can be used both on and off site, giving them the freedom to explore the grounds of the estate and surrounding Suffolk countryside.

Wilderness Reserve is an 8,000-acre estate comprising of woodland, lakes and rolling pasture, sprinkled with an eclectic collection of historic and traditional Suffolk properties. Lovingly restored by artisans, each home has a unique character. From the grand Grade II listed manor house and restored 15th century barn, to charming, thatched cottages and romantic retreats, Wilderness Reserve is a long-term conservation and restoration project - protecting English nature and breathing new life into historic properties.  The reserve has created over 40 unique activities for guests to enjoy that truly make the most of their open space, lakes and surrounding woodland.

James Morrison, General Manager, BMW UK Events & Partnership said: “We're excited to unveil our partnership with Wilderness Reserve, a collaboration that embodies our mutual commitment to sustainability and luxury. Guests at Wilderness Reserve will have the opportunity to discover Suffolk in the comfort of the all-electric BMW iX and i4 models, enjoying the height of luxury and advanced technology that defines the BMW brand and we can't wait to hear the feedback from the first guests in the coming days.”

Harry Hunt, Director of Wilderness Reserve adds: “We are thrilled to be launching this partnership with BMW, offering our guests the opportunity to experience a selection of BMW’s latest all-electric vehicles during their stay. We are fully committed to ensuring our unforgettable experiences offered at Wilderness Reserve go hand-in-hand with our sustainable mindset, and we can’t wait to see our guests experience the joy of driving an all-electric BMW whilst re-charging in the beautiful Suffolk landscape.

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 over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2022 was € 23.5 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, the BMW Group had a workforce of 149,475 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.

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/bmw-group/

For further information please contact:

Carolyn Paterson
BMW Senior Press Officer
Tel: 07815 372906
Email: Carolyn.Paterson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

Maintaining the company’s award-winning reputation across the industry in 2023, BMW Group UK and its latest models continued to make waves, scooping up numerous prestigious awards in June and July, with battery electric models garnering significant attention. BMW and MINI won six awards at the Auto Express New Car Awards, while BMW further distinguished itself by earning commendations at the Auto Trader New Car Awards and Autovista Group Residual Value Awards.

BMW Group UK takes home six awards at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2023

BMW Group UK proudly took home six awards from the Auto Express New Car Awards 2023, demonstrating its continued excellence across a variety of categories and reinforcing the breadth of its model portfolio. BMW secured five awards across numerous categories and MINI garnered an additional victory with the MINI Convertible.

The third-generation BMW X1, launched in the summer of 2022, led its class according to Auto Express by winning the Small Premium SUV of the Year award. With its distinctive design, increased interior space, premium ambience, and high-level standard specification.

Introduced in November 2021, the i4— the first fully-electric BMW Gran Coupé—continues to make an impression nearly two years post-launch, claiming the Premium Car of the Year award. Another of the BMW brand’s fully-electric models, the BMW iX, impressed judges with its luxurious and contemporary interior, earning the Best Large Company Car of the Year accolade.

The brand’s flagship model, the BMW i7, already boasting four major awards since its UK launch at the end of 2022, now adds Auto Express’ Luxury Car of the Year to its roster. Offering a cutting-edge digital experience with the BMW Theatre Screen and BMW Interaction Bar, the BMW i7 combines striking style with a luxurious interior to lead its segment.

The all-new BMW M2, which launched recently in the UK, received its first accolade in the UK at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2023, securing the Performance Car of the Year title. Building on its powerful predecessor, the latest M2 embodies the pure joy of driving by fusing classic high-performance sports car elements with cutting-edge technology.

Finally, the MINI Convertible emerged victorious in the Convertible of the Year category for the sixth time—a testament to the model's enduring appeal. Available in the UK with a high standard specification, and also offered as a BEV – a first for its kind.

Speaking at the awards, Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief at Auto Express said: "What a year for BMW - we've been blown away by the brilliance of its cars this year so it's no surprise that the brand walks away with five of our trophies. Every winner blends the efficiency, quality and usable technology that BMW has become known for, underpinned by the very best driving qualities - on any road, on any day and for any driver. The i4, i7 and iX prove that the company is really leading on electrification, while the X1 shows a clear understanding of the needs and priorities of today's SUV buyers. Then there's the M2 doing what, arguably, BMW is most famous for - putting a massive smile on the face of keen drivers.

"It's another win for the MINI - our favourite convertible car. Even as the current car nears the end of its life - with hugely exciting electric models waiting in the wings - we love its blend of driving dynamics, comfort and the all-important style that's so important with top-down motoring."

BMW iX3 boasts Best Premium Electric Car at the Auto Trader New Car Awards 2023

At the seventh annual Auto Trader New Car Awards in June, the BMW iX3 clinched the award for the Best Premium Electric Car. The awards are decided by over 220,000 UK car owners who completed an online survey sharing exactly what they think of their car, with their thoughts and opinions determining the final category winners.

Erin Baker, Auto Trader’s Editorial Director, said: “The iX3 is all the electric SUV anyone needs, with a plush interior, spirited performance and that legendary BMW ride and handling. One owner summed it up perfectly by saying: ‘The driving experience is second to none, it’s comfortable, fast, smooth and quiet. Love it.’ Huge congrats, BMW.”

BMW i4 shines in the Autovista Group Residual Value Awards

In June, the BMW i4 secured the Compact and Large Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) category at the inaugural Autovista Group Residual Value Awards. The awards, which assess data from 17 different European markets, recognise the models with superior value retention. Judges chose i4 as the winner of this category due to its strong performance across all major markets, with the model's success attributed to its sleek silhouette, enjoyable driving experience, strong family identity, internal space on par with the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and impressive range.

The Autovista24 team commended the i4's design, emphasising that it looks more like a conventional BMW than an exclusively battery-electric model, broadening its appeal to a wide range of drivers in both new and used car markets.

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 over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2022 was € 23.5 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, the BMW Group had a workforce of 149,475 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.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroupYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

For further information please contact:

Carolyn Paterson
BMW Senior Press Officer
Tel: 07815 372906
Email: Carolyn.Paterson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

• Honoured marque BMW M GmbH celebrates 50th anniversary at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
• Striking ‘Central Feature’ outside Goodwood House showcases iconic models from BMW M
• World premiere of the first-ever BMW M3 Touring, UK premiere of the all-new BMW M4 CSL
• BMW Group Classic joins the celebration with historic racing cars displayed on the Central Feature and participating in the Hillclimb
• First-ever BMW iX1 and BMW i7 on display at the Stable Yard
  iX M60, i4 M50, BMW i4 eDrive40 and iX3 available for test drives on Friday

All eyes will be on BMW M GmbH at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, as BMW’s legendary Motorsport division celebrates five decades of success. Festivalgoers will witness the world premiere of the first-ever BMW M3 Touring and the UK premiere of the new BMW M4 CSL, as both take to the hill throughout the world-famous four-day event. All this against the backdrop of a striking central feature sculpture on the lawn of Goodwood House, designed as a homage to 50 years of motorsport excellence as it showcases some of the most iconic models from BMW M. Elsewhere, visitors will be able to see – and in some cases, drive – the latest models from BMW’s exciting range, including the new BMW iX1, i7, i4 and iX M60.

For the first time in its history, the BMW M range will be complemented by a BMW M3 Touring which is a distillation of the technological prowess and know-how from the BMW M3 and M4 family, combined with the practicality of a five-door touring model. This latest BMW M model will be unveiled at BMW M at Trackside at 10:00 am (BST) on Thursday 23 June, alongside a high-performance M3 Touring with Performance Parts, and can then be seen on the Hillclimb in the ‘First Glance’ category every day of the Festival.

Alongside the M3 Touring and BMW M3 Touring MotoGP Safety Car on the hill will be the new BMW M4 CSL, celebrating its UK premiere. This ultimate, track-honed, two-seater coupe is defined by a 40hp power hike over the current BMW M4 Competition Coupé to 550hp, while meticulous weight-saving measures – including the use of carbon-fibre for the roof, bonnet and boot lid – achieve a 100kg reduction in overall weight (in standard specification in the German market). As a result, the new BMW M4 CSL has recorded the best-ever lap-time for a BMW road car at the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit.

With BMW M GmbH as the honoured marque, the Central Feature in front of Goodwood House will present an eye-catching display of BMW M cars past, present and future. BMW UK will add its legendary BMW 3.0 CSL to the Central Feature, while BMW Group Classic is providing three further examples: the BMW M1 Procar from the late 1970s; a WTCC BMW 3 Series E90; the Le Mans winning 1999 BMW V12 LMR. The display is completed by the BMW M LMDh racecar, that will debut next year.

Besides providing historic BMW M cars for the Central Feature, BMW Group Classic will bring four additional famous race cars to Goodwood’s Hillclimb. Pedro Piquet (BRA), son of three-time F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet, will drive the world’s first turbo-charged F1 World Champion car, the 1983 Brabham BMW BT52.

Steve Soper (UK) will climb the hill in the BMW V12 LMR on Thursday. He is followed by Markus Flasch (CEO of BMW M GmbH, 2018-2021), who will be in the driver’s seat on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

HRH Leopold Prince of Bavaria (GER) will drive the sharknose BMW 635CSi and Bruno Spengler (CAN) will drive his famous BMW Z4 GTR which features the Michel Vaillant Design from the 2015 Spa-Francorchamps 24h race.

For many, BMW M at Trackside will form the focal point for the long weekend’s celebrations. Crowned by an original BMW M1, the stand will host iconic models from BMW M’s illustrious past, from the legendary BMW M3 E30 to the revered BMW M3 CSL E46. They will take their place alongside a thrilling line-up of modern-day BMW M greats, from the ultimate 635hp BMW M5 CS and track-honed BMW M4 GT3 to the exclusive new BMW M850i Convertible and innovative electric BMW i4 M50. Visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the future for BMW M, with the innovative BMW Concept XM, a vision of uncompromising high performance and extravagant luxury.

The Stable Yard – once again dedicated to BMW’s latest range of all-electric and electrified models – will offer the chance to see the stunning BMW i Vision Circular, a concept which illustrates the company’s determination to become the most sustainable manufacturer. Optimised for the circular economy and with the goal of achieving 100% recycled and recyclable material use, the BMW i Vision Circular offers a view of a compact yet luxurious fully-electric vehicle with a focus on sustainability for the year 2040.

BMW’s sustainability focus is equally apparent in the new BMW i7, on display in The Stable Yard following its recent unveiling. The latest version of the brand’s flagship saloon is set to redefine the luxury segment with new levels of electrification and digitalisation. Its state-of-the-art all-electric drivetrain is complemented by a blend of luxurious interior design and an astonishing entertainment experience, with the multi-sensory BMW iDrive and unique 31.3-inch 8K BMW Theatre Screen. These attributes are further displayed in the powerful new BMW M760e, a plug-in hybrid with 571hp that delivers scintillating performance yet achieves remarkable efficiency.

The recently revealed BMW iX1 will make its UK debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed, representing another first at the Stable Yard. The third-generation BMW X1 features a sharper design, across-the-board sustainability and cutting-edge digital innovations. Available for the first time with an all-electric drive system, the BMW iX1 xDrive30 is set to offer an electric driving range between 257 – 272 miles (WLTP, provisional figures).

These models will also be joined by the company’s technology flagship, the new BMW iX M60, a fully-electric Sports Activity Vehicle that combines emissions-free driving pleasure and sporting agility with lounge-style luxury and comfort. Powered by two BMW M eDrive electric motors to provide intelligent BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive capability, the BMW iX M60 can accelerate from 0-62 mph in a seamless 3.8 seconds, yet still achieve up to 348 miles (WLTP) of driving range on a single charge.

Members of the public will be able to experience the BMW iX M60’s searing performance for themselves during Friday’s ‘Electric Only’ Motor Circuit Test Drives, where they’ll also be able to take to the circuit behind the wheel of the new BMW i4, the brand’s first-ever fully-electric Gran Coupé, and the practical BMW iX3.

Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M, said: “There can be no better place to celebrate our 50th anniversary than among our fans at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, surrounded by the iconic cars that have cemented our position in motorsport history. But we’ll also spend our time at the world-famous event looking to the future, with a selection of exciting new models from our innovative electrified line-up, and the global premiere of the eagerly-anticipated first-ever BMW M3 Touring.”

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is being held over four days from 23-26 June 2022.

Ends

About BMW M GmbH
BMW’s Motorsport division was launched in May 1972. It soon became one of the world’s most successful racing departments and today BMW M GmbH delivers compelling driving experiences on the road, as well as on the racetrack.  In 2021, BMW M GmbH was the global market leader in the performance car and high-performance car segments for the third year running, delivering a total of 163,542 BMW M vehicles to customers worldwide. This year sees BMW M celebrate its 50th anniversary, with a number of exciting launches and celebrations planned throughout the year.

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 2021, the BMW Group sold over 2.5 million passenger vehicles and more than 194,000 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.

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/bmw-group/

For further information please contact:
Helen Wilson
Senior Press Officer
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Emma Begley
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 062
Email: Emma.Begley@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

• Third model variant of the BMW iX flagship model
• Embodies the best of BMW i, BMW X and BMW M GmBH in one powerful model
• Peak output of 619hp and 0-62mph in only 3.8 seconds*
• WLTP range of up to 348* miles
• BMW iX M60 priced from £111,905 OTR and due for UK launch in Summer 2022.

The BMW iX M60 (combined power consumption: 22.0-22.6kWh/62 miles* WLTP; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km) is the third and most powerful model variant of its new technology flagship, embodying the best of the three worlds of BMW – BMW i, BMW X and BMW M GmBH.

With a peak output of 455 kW/619 hp*, a maximum torque of 1,100 Nm* and an M specific suspension set-up, the BMW iX M60 offers top performance and emission-free mobility with a range of up to 348 miles* (WLTP).

The BMW iX M60 is manufactured together with the other model variants at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing and the global market launch will begin in summer 2022.

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 0-62mph 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 155mph*.

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 Group sources aluminium which is produced using power from solar energy plants and 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.

The BMW iX M60 is priced from £111,905 OTR and due for UK launch in summer 2022.

Ends

<sup>* 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/.</sup>

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.

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/bmw-group/

For further information please contact:

Helen Wilson
Senior Press Officer, BMW & MINI Communications
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Emma Begley
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 062
Email: Emma.Begley@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

Thank you for attending the BMW Group Electric Showcase media event.

Please see below the links to press materials for each of the models available to drive. Within each press kit is a full suite of current photography.

• BMW iX
• BMW i4
• BMW iX3 Premier Edition PRO
• BMW i3s
• BMW 330e, BMW X5 45e & BMW 225xe Active Tourer
• BMW 530e
• BMW 545e
• BMW 745Le
• BMW X2 xDrive 25e
• MINI Electric & Electric Collection
• MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid

Spec sheets for all vehicles can be found at the bottom of this page together as a zip file.

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. With its purely electric drive and comprehensive range of digital features, the BMW iX represents a new era in individual mobility. In addition, it operates at the highest level of safety. This is according to the experts of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) – the consumer protection institute specialising in automotive safety – who awarded the BMW iX the highest possible rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP safety assessment. During the course of the test programme, which was further intensified in 2020, the BMW Group’s new technology flagship impressed with both its outstanding occupant protection and its advanced driver assistance systems, which are particularly effective in helping to prevent accidents.

The BMW iX achieved five-star ratings in all test categories of the Euro NCAP crash test. In the assessment of adult occupant protection, the testers highlighted among other features the effectiveness of the new interactive airbag between the driver and front passenger seats, which provides additional protection against injury in the event of a side collision. Child safety in the rear of the BMW iX was also given the highest possible score for both frontal and side collisions.

Meanwhile, the integrated safety concept of the BMW iX ensures the highest level of passenger protection. In addition to precisely coordinated restraint systems, this includes highly resilient support structures and precisely designed deformation zones that absorb the impact of a collision and keep it away from the passenger compartment. The body structure of the BMW iX combines an aluminium spaceframe concept with a carbon cage for the passenger compartment. Particularly torsion-resistant components made of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) are used in the roof, side and rear sections of the BMW iX.

“The BMW iX sets new standards in sustainability, and its top rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP underlines the vehicle’s comprehensive sustainability concept,” says Dominik Schuster, Head of Vehicle Safety BMW. “The extremely stable body structure and the extended range of restraint systems ensure an outstanding level of occupant protection. In addition, the BMW iX scores highly both in the test programme and in everyday driving with innovative driver assistance systems that significantly reduce the risk of accidents in a wide array of situations.” Among other features, the BMW iX has a front collision warning system with brake intervention that can detect pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. In addition, the automatic emergency braking system now also reacts in turning situations, helping to minimise the risk to pedestrians when turning and the risk of collision with oncoming traffic when turning left.

If a collision does occur, the risk of injury to vulnerable road users is reduced by carefully designed body elements and flexible structures at the front of the vehicle. The BMW iX also features an active bonnet, which is raised by means of a pyrotechnical triggering mechanism as soon as the data collected by sensors indicate a corresponding collision. This creates a deformation zone that prevents direct impact between the pedestrian or cyclist and hard components in the engine compartment.

Other standard features of the BMW iX include an attention assistant, lane departure warning and speed limit recognition, all of which scored positively in the Euro NCAP crash test. The Driving Assistant Professional package is offered as an option, which also includes steering and lane guidance assistance. In a separate assessment, BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional in the iX3 was also recently awarded the top rating of “very good” by Euro NCAP.

The figures for fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, power consumption and range are measured using the methods required according to Regulation (EC) 2007/715 as amended. They refer to vehicles on the automotive market in Germany. For ranges, the WLTP figures take into account the effects of any optional equipment.

All figures have already been determined on the basis of the new WLTP test cycle. WLTP values are used as a basis for the assessment of taxes and other vehicle-related levies that are (also) based on CO₂ emissions and, where applicable, for the purposes of vehicle-specific subsidies. Further information on the WLTP and NEDC measurement procedures can be found at www.bmw.de/wltp.

More information about the official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO₂ emissions of new passenger cars can be obtained from the “Guideline on fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and power consumption of new passenger cars”, available free of charge from all 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.

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/bmw-group/

Please find attached on location media of the International Media Launch of the first ever BMW iX.

• World premiere of the all-new BMW 2 Series Coupé
• UK premiere of new BMW iX, the pinnacle of BMW Group’s electrification strategy
• The new BMW i4 seen for the first time in the UK
• The ultimate M5, the BMW M5 CS, to storm up the hill
• The special edition BMW M4 Competition x KITH on display


BMW will celebrate the return of the Festival of Speed in 2021 with its first ever world premiere at Goodwood. The all-new BMW 2 Series Coupé will make its global debut on 8 July 2021 on the famous 1.16-mile course. Taking to the hill too will be the fastest and most powerful BMW M production car ever, the new BMW M5 CS, whilst the Festival will also provide the stage for two exciting UK premieres for the brand: the new fully electric BMW iX and BMW i4.

The all-new BMW 2 Series Coupé will continue the long tradition of BMW’s driver-oriented, compact and powerful two-door models and represents the most modern interpretation of the legendary BMW 2002. The combination of its compact dimensions, outstanding driving dynamics, optional 6-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, as well as extrovert design will make the BMW 2 Series Coupé unique in the market. Festival goers will be able to see the all-new BMW 2 Series Coupé unveiled at ‘BMW M Town’ at 09:00 and seen on the hill for the first time in the ‘First Glance’ category from 09:40.

Alongside the all-new BMW 2 Series Coupé will be the BMW M5 CS, the ultimate incarnation of the BMW M5, and the most powerful production car in the history of the company. Taking BMW M performance to an unprecedented level, the 635hp 4.4-litre V8 engine powers the M5 CS from 0-62 mph in just 3.0 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 189mph.

Visitors to the Stable Yard, once again dedicated to BMW and themed as an ‘Electric Boulevard’, will see the new BMW iX in the UK for the first time. Representing the pinnacle of BMW Group’s electrification strategy, the company’s flagship electric model will launch in November 2021 and ushers in an exciting new chapter for the brand. 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. It is also the first model to feature the new generation BMW iDrive, powered by Operating System 8.

The ‘Electric Boulevard’ will also showcase the first-ever BMW i4. This striking gran coupé introduces all-electric mobility to the heart of the BMW brand and offers a range of up to 367 miles (WLTP). The BMW i4 is a statement vehicle, which combines style, agility and comfort with zero tailpipe emissions. Due for launch in the UK in November 2021, the i4 is the first all-electric premium car from the BMW Group aimed at the traditional core of the midsize segment.

The home of the marque during the festival will be ‘BMW M Town’ – offering an unparalleled array of BMW product and experiences. Alongside the all-new BMW 2 Series Coupé, the star of the stand will be the BMW M4 Competition x KITH. Limited to just 150 units worldwide and featuring unique exterior and interior design detail, this very special edition model was created in collaboration with New York lifestyle brand KITH.

Visitors to the stand, which once again is positioned trackside, will be able to see the BMW M 1000 RR, the first M model from BMW Motorrad with its genes coming directly from professional racing. Stunning iterations of new BMW R 18, including the Spirit of Passion by Kingston Custom and custom bikes from Bernhard Naumann and the Custom Works ZON team from Japan, will also be on display.

Visitors will be able to have some fun too -racing virtually, under hyper-realistic conditions, with a sim racing simulator.

                                                               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.


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/bmw-group/


For further information please contact:

Martin Harrison
Media Relations Officer
Tel: 07815 377083
Email: Martin.Harrison@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Emma Begley
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 062
Email: Emma.Begley@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

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.

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/bmw-group/

• Represents the pinnacle of the BMW Group electrification strategy
• Range of up to 380 miles (WLTP) on a single charge  
• Premiere for the new generation BMW iDrive powered by Operating System 8
• The most extensive set of standard driver assistance systems ever seen on a BMW
• Luxurious and contemporary lounge-style interior, seating five
• BMW IconicSounds Electric vehicle sounds composed in collaboration with Hans Zimmer
• Choice of iX xDrive40 and iX xDrive50 variants with Sport and M Sport trim choices
• Comprehensive BMW Charging solution. Subscription-free access to ‘bp pulse’ and ‘IONITY Plus’ packages for iX retail customers in the first 12 months of ownership
• BMW iX priced from £69,905 OTR and due for UK launch in November 2021

BMW has announced UK pricing and specifications for the BMW iX ahead of the launch of the 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 380 miles (WLTP), plus the BMW iX xDrive40 that produces 326hp and is able to cover up to 257 miles 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 figures relating to output, charging capacity, performance, energy consumption and range are provisional.
**Electronically limited.
*** Preliminary on-the-road pricing, correct at the time of publication – the latest prices can be found at www.bmw.co.uk.}

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.

Both motors in the BMW iX work according to the principle of an electrically excited synchronous motor, where the excitation of the rotor is induced by the feed-in of electrical energy rather than fixed permanent magnets. This enables them to put their maximum torque on tap immediately on pulling away and maintain it over an extremely broad rev range. 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 90 miles for the BMW iX xDrive50 and over 59 miles 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 the UK 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.  Retail customers purchasing their iX via the BMW UK Retail Network will receive a BMW Charging card which facilitates access to special tariffs offered by the BMW Charging network. This allows electrical power to be replenished at a very attractive price at both public and high-power charging stations. In addition, ‘bp pulse’ and ‘IONITY Plus’ packages are offered to iX customers without a subscription fee for the first 12 months of ownership. With these additional benefits, BMW iX customers in the UK gain access to one of the world’s largest public charging networks, using just one RFID card or App.

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 Steering and Lane Control Assistant has been significantly expanded, while the 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.

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
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For further information please contact:

Helen Wilson
Senior Press Officer, BMW & MINI Communications
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Emma Begley
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 062
Email: Emma.Begley@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

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 driving sound 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 driving 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 driving 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 driving 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 driving 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.

“We have already set out the pricing: For example, the BMW iX xDrive40 will start at 77,300 EUR [£69,000 RRP in the UK], which puts it at the level of a comparable BMW X5 with conventional combustion engine. Plus, our customers will now benefit from new additions to the range of vehicle functions that can be uploaded to their cars during ownership, and enjoy a seamless and extremely customer-oriented configuration process with personalised products and services.

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 (62 mph) 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 (62 mph) 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

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/bmw-group/

For further information please contact:
Helen Wilson
BMW Group Media Relations Executive
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Emma Begley
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 062
Email: Emma.Begley@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

BMW iX* and BMW i4 production powered by hydroelectricity from Rivers Isar and Lech +++ Electricity for BMW Group production is 100% green +++ Direct supply contracts boost eco-credentials +++

Munich / Dingolfing. The BMW Group will power production of the new electric BMW iX* and BMW i4 at Plants Dingolfing and Munich entirely with regional green hydroelectricity. Contracts have been signed with Stadtwerke München and RWE Supply & Trading for energy to be supplied by hydroelectricity from rivers Isar and Lech. Board Member for Production Milan Nedeljković: “We take a holistic view of sustainability. So rather than just minimising emissions from driving, we are working to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of our production processes.”

The BMW Group already powers its production facilities worldwide entirely with green electricity today. “What’s new is the fact that in the future, we will source our renewable electricity directly from regional providers based close to our plants,” Nedeljković explains. The green electricity needed for BMW iX* production will come from the Isar hydroelectric power stations Uppenborn between Moosburg and Landshut while production of the BMW i4 will be powered by the Lech hydroelectric power stations in Gersthofen and Rain. The energy they supply is also used to manufacture a wide range of components for the two electric models, at BMW Group Plants Landshut, Dingolfing and Berlin.

“Our direct supply contracts add another major boost to the eco-credentials of the green electricity we use in production,” Nedeljković emphasises. But as well as implementing more and more such contracts, the BMW Group is increasing the share of the renewable or carbon-neutral electricity it generates itself. Since 2013, for instance, the four wind turbines at Plant Leipzig have provided all the electricity needed to manufacture the BMW i3*. Another of several examples from the BMW Group production network is the newest plant, in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, where production is largely powered using energy from large solar arrays.

The energy goals the BMW Group has set itself are designed for the longer term. Between 2006 and 2019, emissions from production fell by more than 70 percent per car. Going forward Nedeljković explains: “We want to cut CO₂ emissions by another 80 percent by 2030, to less than 10 percent of what they were in 2006.”

The BMW Group has a strong foundation to build on, having raised the bar repeatedly over the last few decades in terms of sustainability. Continuous improvement remains central to the strategy to cut CO₂ emissions and increase resource efficiency.

As well as sourcing 100 percent green energy, since 2020 the BMW Group has been systematically investing in improving energy efficiency – partly by capitalising on the opportunities of digitalisation. Data analytics has already helped make production more efficient, for instance with predictive machine maintenance and by minimising the number of parts rejected from the bodyshop. As well as drastically cutting actual CO₂ emissions, the BMW Group will offset any remaining emissions (Scope 1 + 2) in full via relevant certificates.

Munich. A year prior to market launch, the series development process for the BMW iX is forging ahead as scheduled. Following the presentation of the final design of the BMW iX at the #NEXTGen 2020 in Munich, prototypes of the new technology flagship are now ready for final winter testing north of Scandinavia. The endurance test, which is being held under extreme weather conditions beyond the Arctic Circle, serves, among other things, the fine tuning of drive and suspension systems. Moreover, the electric motors, four-wheel drive system as well as charging technology, high-voltage batteries and heat management are put to the demanding acid test under sub-zero temperatures.

The tuning and test drives take the prototypes of the BMW iX as far as Europe’s most northerly regions. On deserted roads in Finnish Lapland and to the North Cape on the Norwegian island of Magerøya, both the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology and the suspension control systems have to prove their functionality and reliability in particularly demanding road and weather conditions. In the process, test engineers evaluate above all the interaction between drive and suspensions systems on road surfaces with a low friction coefficient. Unsecured tracks, icy roads and ice surfaces especially prepared for test-driving on the edge of the Arctic Circle offer the ideal conditions to precisely coordinate the motor control technology, the electric four-wheel drive and suspension control systems right up to the limits of longitudinal and lateral vehicle dynamics.

The BMW iX is the first model based on a new, modular and scalable future BMW Group construction concept. It was conceived from the outset for purely electric mobility, and with the latest development stage of BMW eDrive Technology, intelligent lightweight construction and optimized aerodynamic characteristics it sets new benchmarks in efficiency within the competitive environment of the luxury Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). Two electric motors together generate a maximum power output of more than 370 kW/500 hp according to current calculations. An integral part of the endurance test at the North Cape is also the final tuning of the intelligent four-wheel drive system BMW xDrive and adaptive adjustment of the axle-specific yaw moment, which in addition to stability and traction also constantly optimizes the BMW iX’s efficiency. The aim of the development is to achieve an extremely low combined power consumption of less than 21 kWh per 100 kilometres in the WLTP test cycle and a range of more than 600 kilometres, likewise according to WLTP, values which are untypical of this class.

During the winter test, the components of BMW eDrive Technology are faced with very special challenges. The high-voltage batteries and the charging technology undergo in extremely low outdoor temperatures field testing for everyday use in the deep of winter. Likewise, displays informing of charge level, range and operating status as well as the heat management system, which constantly ensures the optimum operation temperature of the drive system and high-voltage batteries, demonstrate their resistance to extreme sub-zero temperatures. 

Within the shortest time, the challenging test programme demands more from the BMW iX prototypes than the future production models have to withstand during their entire life cycle. The evaluation of all test results and the resultant fine tuning of all drive and suspension components of the BMW iX will pave the way during the coming months for the launch of a new era of driving pleasure.

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.

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