BMW today revealed the production version of its new all-electric SUV, the 2022 iX. The German brand is calling the iX its new “technology flagship.” The vehicle pioneers new sustainable construction while aiming to keep BMW’s reputation for exhilarating drives intact.
Available in just one configuration at launch, the iX xDrive 50 starts at $83,200, plus a $995 destination fee. It should reach dealerships in the first three months of 2022. The iX is a midsize SUV that seats five.
Sub-5-Second 0-60 mph Time, 300-Mile Range
With one electric motor on each axle, the iX comes only in an all-wheel-drive configuration. Total power output is 516 horsepower. BMW says the iX will get from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds – a bit shy of the fastest Tesla Model X, its most logical rival. But that’s still plenty quick for the BMW faithful.
A 115-kilowatt-hour battery pack should be good for about 300 miles of range. The EPA has not yet tested that estimate. BMW says it will charge to 80% of its capacity in under 40 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger.
Unassuming Outside, Stunning Inside
The iX is not the most dramatic-looking vehicle in BMW’s stable. Up front, a huge version of the company’s corporate twin-kidney grille dominates the look. A low stance makes it look almost wagon-like.
But inside, the thing is undeniably gorgeous. Thin-framed seats upholstered in quilted leather look stunning in an oxblood shade. A hexagonal steering wheel and curved infotainment display give it a futuristic vibe.
Sustainable Lithium, Recycled Fishing Nets, and More
With the iX, BMW launches an effort to make much of its construction more sustainable.
Perhaps the most significant factor in that effort is the battery. BMW has developed an entirely new system for mining the lithium essential to EV batteries. The company itself “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.”
This ensures that human rights and sustainable mining practices are respected throughout the supply chain. The car also uses electric motors designed to minimize rare earth metal content.
Inside, BMW uses recycled aluminum and plastic in most interior parts. The car has been designed with an eye toward making it as recyclable as possible at the end of its own useful life.
“Its interior uses FSC-certified wood, leather tanned with olive leaf extracts and other natural materials,” BMW says. “Recycled fishing nets are among the raw materials used for the floor coverings and mats.”
