BMW gives its iX a (mostly technical) facelift

BMW, the Munich-based carmaker, has revealed the facelifted version of its iX flagship, focusing primarily on technical upgrades and making only minor adjustments to the design.

The iX was revealed in 2020 as one of the first electric BMWs of the (then) new generation. The new SUV model wasn’t just fully electric; it featured a polarising front-end design that sparked much debate.

Minor design changes

The BMW iX remains instantly recognizable, but the designers have opted against a radical overhaul in this mid-cycle update. The signature kidney grille remains a defining feature.

Following the example set by the i4 facelift, the closed grille now features a new pattern. BMW’s signature ‘Iconic Glow’ illuminated contour lighting, standard on the new BMW iX M70 xDrive top model, has also been added.

The headlights and air intakes on the front bumper have also been redesigned, adding a fresh touch to the vehicle’s front end. The optional ‘M Sport Package’ is available for more dynamic looks.  The color palette has been refurbished, offering customers an updated range of finishes.

Power boosts…

The lineup has three variants, but all have received a notable power boost. Therefore, the entry-level iX xDrive 40 has been renamed the iX xDrive 45, with a 60 kW increase in system output to 300 kW. This upgrade shaves a full second off its 0 to 100 kph sprint, now achieved in 5.1 seconds instead of 6.1 seconds.

The iX xDrive 60 (formerly the xDrive 50) sees its system output rise from 385 kW to 400 kW and sprints to 100 kph in 4.6 seconds. For both variants, the top speed remains electronically limited to 200 kph.

The range-topping iX M70 xDrive (previously the iX M60 xDrive) gains an additional 30 kW, bringing its total output to 485 kW. Equipped with Launch Control, the high-performance BMW SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.8 seconds. Unlike the other variants, the M model boasts a higher top speed, reaching 250 kph.

According to BMW, the performance boost has been achieved through a “recalibration of the drivetrain system and further advancements in power electronics,” resulting in “noticeably improved power delivery.”

However, the iX continues to use the fifth-generation electric motor technology, which has already proven highly efficient in the pre-facelift iX and other BMW models. This suggests that similar updates could be applied to other models in the lineup.

The improvements aren’t merely down to software adjustments. BMW has introduced new inverter technology for power electronics across all variants. This innovation enhances the drivetrain’s power density and ensures high efficiency in transferring energy from the high-voltage battery to the electric motor. Nevertheless, the system remains 400V; the 800V technology is reserved for the ‘Neue Klasse’.

…and longer ranges

With the battery capacity increased across all three variants, range figures (according to WLTP) are rising. The facelift brings the most significant improvement to the entry-level model, which benefits from new battery cells that boost energy capacity by approximately 30%, from the previous 74.1 kWh to 94.8 kWh. For the other two models, the changes in battery capacity are minimal.

Thanks to the 30% larger battery and enhanced efficiency, the iX xDrive45 gains 40% in range, reaching 602 kilometers, up from the previous 435. This could make the new iX xDrive45 one of the most popular variants in the iX lineup.

The BMW iX xDrive60 now achieves a WLTP range of up to 701 kilometers, significantly improving over the previous iX xDrive 50, which managed a maximum of 633 kilometers. The iX M70 xDrive increases its range from 563 to 600 kilometers.

Thanks to the new battery, charging speeds have been improved; the maximum charging power has increased from 150 kW to 175 kW, while the two larger batteries remain capped at 195 kW. Furthermore, the upgraded onboard charger allows AC charging up to 22 kW across all iX variants (optional, standard in the M70).

The model now supports Plug & Charge Multi Contract and is compatible with solar-, load-, and cost-optimized charging based on a dynamic electricity tariff. The charging route planning in the MyBMW app and within the vehicle has also been refined.

With the facelift, BMW has slightly adjusted the iX’s suspension to align it with the increased power output and the “changed weight distribution resulting from the optimized battery technology.” All variants feature a towing capacity of up to 2,500 kilograms and a 100-kilogram towbar load. The roof load is uniformly set at 75 kilograms.

Interesting price adjustments

The new variants are now available for order in Germany and Belgium. Given the substantial upgrade in power and range, the entry-level model has become more expensive: in Belgium, BMW is now pricing it at €85,400, up from €82,800.

However, the price of the new iX xDrive60 and iX M70 xDrive has diminished. The iX xDrive60 is now available for €102,500, compared to €110,150 for the previous xDrive 50. The iX M70 xDrive’s price has also been significantly reduced by €10,700. It is now set at €129,700, down from €140,600 for the M60 xDrive.

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