BMW is doubling-down on electrification, and has just unveiled what it believes will be the next generation of its X crossover range.
The iX crossover was unveiled earlier in the week, and was dubbed a “technology flagship” by the German automaker. The prototype gives drivers 500 electrical-powered horses under the hood, and an impressive 480-kilometres in range on a single power-up.
The iX is still in development, however BMW has said that it will be put in production next year. It is roughly the same size and shape as the popular X5, but that’s where the similarities end.
Instead of smooth lines, you get a sharp and bold look (similar to the BMW i4 concept that was announced earlier in the year). You also get a giant kidney grille.
As you’d expect, BMW threw everything but the digital sink at the interior of the iX. It looks more like a spaceship’s interior than a four-wheeled motor’s, and includes a 12.3-inch instrument display, a 14.9-inch curved infotainment system as well as BMW’s iDrive controller and rocker-switch in place of a traditional gear leaver.
BMW doesn’t just call this the iX a “technological flagship” because of the interior. The electric powertrain has two electric motors (one on each axle) and an underfloor battery pack that can churn out 500 horsepower. More importantly, it can push the car from zero to 100kph in just five seconds.
Unlike the last BMW concept car we saw – the i4 – the German automaker has already said it will be putting this one into production. And you won’t have to wait long to drive it; it will arrive on roads around the Middle East at the beginning of 2022.
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