The iX is the first in a series of electric cars announced by BMW, based on a new platform it is powerful and has been built from the ground up with priority on the occupants.
Next generation of BMW cars is right around the car and the BMW iX is leading the charge, based on a completely new scalable modular platform which is going to form the backbone of the models coming from the German automaker in the coming years. Featuring next-gen electrical technologies the designers took an inside out approach during development, focusing on occupant comfort. It is the next step which started with the conception of BMW i3, and continued with the exemplary i8- cars which laid the backbone for BMW’s electrified future.
The car combines the physical cues of the X series, the size of the BMW X5, driving character of the X6 and the appeal of the X7. The body is drag optimised which helps the range for long drives. The iX while being an SUV, goes a more subtle path when it goes to styling and shies away from the aggressive approach that today’s manufacturers take. It features crisp design lines, and minimalistic use of styling cues, with the ones present only supporting the functional purposes thus giving the BMW a very clean but imposing look. The front features the vertical kidney grille, which is essentially a dummy and serves as a covering for the array of sensors like camera, radar etc that are positioned behind it, it also has self-healing technology which can remove minor scratches within 24-hours.
“The BMW Group is constantly striving to re-invent itself. That is a central element of our corporate strategy. The BMW iX expresses this approach in an extremely concentrated form,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG
The BMW iX uses sustainable technology to keep ahead of the ecosystem, using natural and recycled material wherever possible. The BMW iDrive technology which is now in its fifth generation integrates the electric motors, battery, charging and the electronics to give the most exhilarating driving pleasure and efficiency. The motor makes 500hp and can propel the car to a hundred in under five seconds, what’s more is that the motor supports sustainability by being made out of materials which aren’t categorised under rare earth metals. Despite being a very powerful unit the motor can give excellent efficiency of 21kWh per 100km, which equals an excellent range of 600km powered by the 100kWh battery. Fast charging capability has also been booted up, with 200kW charging which can fill the battery up to 80% in less than forty minutes. The batteries are also made with sustainability as a priority and are recyclable.
“The BMW iX shows how we can give new technologies a very modern and emotional design. The car is technologically complex, but it feels very clear and uncomplicated. The BMW iX offers a mobile living space in which people will feel at ease, where the car’s intelligence is only there when you need it,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design
The wheels on the iX also went through a wind tunnel, the optional Air Performance wheels (available on 21in/22in) which have been aerodynamically designed to reduce drag and weigh less than normal alloys. “We designed the BMW iX from the inside out,” says Domagoj Dukec, Vice President BMW Design and he was not joking, the roomy interior which has been wrapped in the choicest of materials is one of the best in the SUV segment. The cabin has been designed on the basis of the needs of the driver and passengers, providing an open space which has been carefully crafted while eliminating the conventional vehicular arrangement. Most of the buttons and knobs are out of view, taking a ‘shy’ approach to functionality, even the 1615W-30speaker system is mostly obscured. There is a hexagonal steering and the dash is almost completely screen dominated.
The car comes with a new technology toolkit which has made advances in the field of driving automation and smart services, processing power of which is now 20 times more than current ones. This means that the data from the array of sensors around and in the car can be processed at a much rapid rate and have a more natural response and it comes with 5G connectivity! With a level 3 Autonomous driving (up to 80kmph) which does not require hands on the wheel helped by the faster processing, the first car from BMW to have this feature. It is a development of the iNEXT showcased by BMW showcased two years ago and tones down some of the aggressive design and ups the ante with the radical interiors. It is expected to cost 80,000 Pounds( INR 80L) and rival Jaguar I-Pace, Audi e-Tron and the Tesla Model X when it is released in 2022.
“We are setting new industry standards with the technology in the BMW iX. The iX has more computing power for data processing and more powerful sensor technology than the newest vehicles in our current line-up, is 5Gcapable, will be given new and improved automated driving and parking functions and uses the high-performing fifth generation of our electric drive system,” said Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development
Favourie Car: Nissan GT-R R35
Quote: What you do in life echoes in eternity- Russell Crowe, Maximus, Gladiator
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