New Paradigm
The all-electric BMW ix is ready for series production and heralds a new age in sustainable mobility
BMW has opened a new chapter with the all-electric ix, a fresh take on the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept. This is the technology flagship of the marque’s entire line-up, and offers a compelling mix of trailblazing design, sporting agility and luxurious comfort, with zero local emission and an enviable operating range to boot. The series also showcases BMW’S latest developments in the areas of electrification, connectivity, and related services. The BMW ix is now available in Singapore with the BMW ix xdrive40.
AN ELECTRIC DRIVE
The heart of the BMW ix is its fifth-generation edrive system, which combines the electric motor, power electronics and transmission within a single housing for greater efficiency. Coupled with the latest battery cell technology, the BMW ix xdrive40 can achieve a range of up to 425 kilometres.
Efficiency aside, the electric motors in the BMW ix make for an extremely responsive drive. To complement this, the electric all-wheel-drive system intelligently splits this power between the front and rear wheels to balance efficiency and traction.
BEST OF ALL WORLDS
The BMW ix’s drive technology and transmission system are, in turn, supported by a host of features for the perfect blend of sporty handling and superb comfort. For a start, the car’s frame uses a mixture of materials to create a more rigid yet lighter chassis. Factors such as a low centre of gravity and even weight distribution further contribute to the extremely responsive and intuitive driving experience.
Enhancements have been made elsewhere too. The new generation of the idrive display and operating system, for example, allows the car and its driver to function even more seamlessly than before. Expect an upgraded BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with enhanced voice
control, remote software updates, additional vehicle functions that can be purchased later and delivered over the air, and more.
The BMW ix offers a glimpse of electrification’s future. With the Combined Charging Unit, the BMW ix xdrive40’s battery can be fast-charged from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in as little as 31 minutes. Its range can also be increased by more than 95 kilometres just by charging it for 10 minutes at a DC fast-charging station with an initial battery charge of 10 per cent. Various charging solutions are available; owners can choose between home charging units that serve as personal “petrol kiosks” or public charging in the form of complimentary charging credits worth 10,000 kwh, which can be used at any Shell Recharge Station within three years of the car’s purchase.
Beyond electrification, BMW has worked on sustainability as a whole. Over its entire life cycle, the BMW ix will emit 45 per cent less greenhouse gases as compared to its combustion-engined equivalent— thanks in part to its exclusive use of renewable energy during production. Natural and recycled materials feature prominently as well. The floor mats are, for instance, made from Econyl, a recycled nylon.
What makes the BMW ix so compelling is just how seamlessly all its features have been integrated. Details such as the flush handles and frameless doors—firsts for a BMW Sav—don’t call attention to themselves. Instead, they simply are. This is seen everywhere else, from the BMW Curved Display that promises at-a-glance legibility to the suite of sensors and heating elements hidden within the iconic kidney grille. BMW’S “shy tech” takes this further with other subtle touches, such as the audio system’s invisibly embedded speakers. This is luxury at its most progressive.
For more information on the BMW ix, visit bmw.com.sg.