BMW has announced more information on its upcoming iX all-electric crossover. One of the highlights is the manufacturing process because the 2022 iX will be produced sustainably. That means the factory building the car will be powered by renewable energy. Material components are all recycled and take into consideration people’s allergies by placing bits with potential allergens away from frequently touched areas.
Powertrain components are also made of sustainable materials. BMW says it made a considerable effort in avoiding rare-earth materials for their battery cells. The lithium used in the batteries is mined in Australia based on BMW’s environmental and sustainability standards. Cobalt has also been sourced responsibly, meaning the company has avoided getting the material from the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of its commitment to human rights.
When the 2022 iX launches, the first model to arrive will be the xDrive50, which should start around $80,000. This variant has a dual-motor layout effectively giving it AWD. With around 500 hp on tap, the iX xDrive50 can sprint to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 5.0 seconds before topping out at 124 mph. BMW says the iX xDrive50 will be equipped with a 100-kWh battery. A single-speed transmission installed within the same housing as the electric motor puts power down to the wheels.
A less powerful model called the iX xDrive40 will slot below the iX xDrive50. This version is a second slower to 100 km/h (62 mph) and has 300 hp between its two electric motors. The downside is that the iX xDrive40 has less range at 249 miles on the WLTP cycle. That means it’ll have an even lower rating in the EPA cycle, which is more conservative. Battery capacity is also smaller on the iX xDrive40 at 70 kWh.
The driver can control the intensity of the regenerative braking, allowing the iX to coast when you don’t need to slow down. Navigation data is also taken into account, allowing the car to slow down via regenerative braking when approaching intersections, activating the turn signal, or taking turns. The driver can also toggle the strength of the regenerative braking between three levels (low, medium, and high). There’s also a B drive mode, which allows for one-pedal driving.
Charging the iX xDrive50’s depleted battery to 100 percent in under 11 hours using a level 2 charger at an 11-kW rate. Using a level 3 DC gas charger, the iX xDrive50 can charge from 10 to 80 percent in 40 minutes or 75 miles in 10 minutes. Less powerful iX xDrive40 models can recuperate 56 miles in 10 minutes. The highest rate of charge is 200 kW for the iX xDrive50 or 150 kW for the iX xDrive40.
BMW aims to start preorders of the 2022 iX in June 2021. The car will officially go on sale in the U.S. in early 2022 and will be one of the first to get the new iDrive 8 interface.
