BMW IX: BMW’s new stromer SUV tested

first impression: Fist.

What the manufacturer says: Internally, the iX is regarded as a “technology flagship” and in this function it solves Seven Sedan From. Whatever innovations engineers thought of over the years, they tried to pack a Bavarian chunk under sheet metal. IX aims to take the convenience of electric driving to a whole new level.

“We wanted to bring electric drive, sportiness, range, space and travel comfort under one roof,” says Carina Gartner, Product Manager, iX. It makes sense that a city stormer like the i3 might never come out again. Peter Fintel, Mobility Specialist at Capgemini Engineering sees no harm in this: » SUVs are still very popular among buyers. This segment is indispensable, especially for premium manufacturers.”

To compensate for the megalomania, the Bavarian producer is relying on a transparency offensive. Someone at Corporate Headquarters Knows Well Munich Regarding the discussion about the high energy and water consumption associated with battery production and the use of various raw materials, some of which to be destroyed in inhuman conditions. BMW wants to question all of this in detail and, according to its own statements, reveals the cards: full transparency of the supply chain, especially for cobalt and lithium, no suspected middlemen, IX production and green Battery cells with electricity, Electric motors without rare earths, Greater use of recycled materials in vehicles, Use of secondary aluminum, Worldwide compliance with social standards, No raw materials from deep sea mining, On and in the car Upholstery materials made from 90 percent less chrome, use nylon waste and old fishing nets.

This is what we saw: When the driver approaches the IX, a reception begins a few meters in front of him. The car communicates with the smartphone and the outside and inside lights are turned on as if by magic, the doors are opened, the large display fills with digital life and the mobile phone automatically connects to the on-board system. is.

Behind the hexagonal steering wheel for the first time, the driver gets to know the ultra-modern and minimalistic interior. The so-called »curved display«, which appears to be floating freely on the dashboard, is an eye-catcher. The resolution is superb, the operating menus are arranged logically, the handling is almost effortless, especially since the BMW relies not only on touch and voice, but still lets the familiar i-controller on the center console participate in what’s happening allows to take. Coping with new technology has rarely been easier.

It starts manually with a single button. Then it is enough to pull the small rocker on the control island to D and the IX starts rolling. Like all electric cars, it does so slowly and almost silently. What sets the IX apart is not only the heavy maneuverability in terms of quiet and comfort, but also its smoothness at par with a sporty luxury sedan. After a small step on the pedals, at least all reservations about weight and size have been exhausted, the iX xDrive50, the name of the current top model with 523 hp, feels noticeably lighter than on paper values. After all, the iX weighs 2.5 tons. Steering rear wheels provide extra agility. However, they cost extra, but are a worthwhile investment, as the curves offer a significant increase in stability and maneuverability or maneuverability in a multi-storey car park.

You need to know: BMW’s fifth generation iDrive system is under the IX. The motor, gearbox and power electronics are now combined in a single housing and compared to the individual predecessor components, reduced in size and weight and improved efficiency. As a result, the iX uses 19.8 kWh/100km, about 20 percent less power (per WLTP cycle) than its counterparts. Audi e-tronhandjob Mercedes EQC and Tesla Model X.

In addition, the engineers increased the energy density of the battery cells. The total usable capacity of the battery is 105.2 kWh (similar to Mercedes’ EQS). This means that up to 630 kilometers can be covered in the IX and the annoying topic of range can be safely ignored, even if it is “only” 450 or 500 kilometers in everyday life.

The bigger battery should make travel more enjoyable, especially since BMW wants to keep charging times to a minimum. With active route guidance and selected charging stops, the battery’s thermal management brings the cells to an optimal temperature beforehand to allow on-site charging with high power. In best case it works with 200 kW (direct current). “The new range of up to 150 kilometers can be recharged in the first ten minutes,” promised IX project manager Johann Kistler. You haven’t even finished your hot coffee at the rest stop so quickly.

And to counter the prejudice that SUVs have the air resistance of a regular bus, the developers put enormous effort into aerodynamics. for comparison: X5 Comes in at a drag coefficient of 0.31, the iX achieves 0.25. “Overall, the aerodynamic optimizations alone bring the range to 63 kilometers,” Kistler says.

we will not forget: Full digitization and 5G technology leave room for even small trickery. The iX has an internal camera that can be used to take snapshots while driving. Trigger works through speech, gesture or touch. The picture can be sent to friends by scanning the QR code on the display. But the camera can also be used seriously. If someone cracks the iX and starts working behind the wheel, the system sends a message to the owner’s smartphone. BMW promises complete data protection.