BMW South Africa has revealed pricing for the soon-to-arrive flagship electric SUV, the iX. Scheduled to land on SA shores next year, the local iX line-up will comprise a duo of derivatives, the iX xDrive 40 and range-topping iX xDrive 50.
Priced at R1 650 000, the opening gambit to the iX range’s – the iX xDrive 40 – duo of electric motors produce a combined power output of 240 kW. Torque is rated at 630 Nm. According to the German car manufacturer, these figures are sufficient to launch the xDrive 40 to the three-figure marker from standstill in 6.1 seconds, before topping out at 200 km/h. Electric range is a claimed 327 to 425 km, while the 76.6 lithium-ion battery pack recharges from five to 80 per cent in 31 minutes when plugged into a DC fast charger.
The xDrive 50 is priced at R2 175 000. This variant is endowed with a 111.5 kWh battery pack, coupled to a twin electric motor arrangement, which produces 385 kW and 765 Nm of torque. BMW claims a zero to 100 km/h acceleration time of 4.6 seconds for the 2 585 kg emissions-free SUV. Top speed is similar to the xDrive 40. Electric range, though, is rated at 549 to 630 km. Plugged into a DC fast charger, this model’s batteries offer a five to 80 per cent recharge time of 35 minutes.
As standard, the top-line model features integral active steering (a R23 600 option on the xDrive 40) and BMW Laserlight lighting technology (a R40 000 option on the xDrive 40), among others. Interior features include four-zone climate control, ambient lighting and touchscreen infotainment.
Optional on both variants, the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system, complete with 30 speakers, will set you back R82 700. The heat comfort package, which includes heating functionality for the steering wheel and fore and aft seat heating, is priced at R17 000.
