One year ago, so one year before market launch, we already had the opportunity to have a closer look at the fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), the BMW iX. We were really impressed by the minimalist design, the innovative features and its approach towards sustainability. Now we were finally able to test drive the BMW iX xDrive50 and to fully experience the car on the road. Our path led from Munich to Berchtesgaden – an alpine idyll to be seen in our short video.

As we said in our article a year ago – the iX expresses minimalist design at its best not only in the exterior but also in the interior. BMW has chosen the Shy-Tech concept for the iX meaning the technology elements inside and outside are implemented in such a way that they are as invisible as possible and only appear when they are actually needed. This creates a modern and minimalist approach.

Inside you enjoy an absolute feel-good atmosphere with a lounge character. The panoramic glass roof floods the interior with plenty of light. The ride from Munich to Berchtesgaden was extremely comfortable, we didn't even want to get out of the car at our destination. Not only due to the optimum comfort.

Guess our favourite feature which we could enjoy even more crisp due to the silence of electric cars and which made the trip even greater? Listening to our music. The Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system created an impressive musical surrounding that we haven’t had in a vehicle before. It offers a new kind of in-car sound experience. We are still deeply impressed when we think about it. It features dynamic driving sound control and five individually selectable sound modes. Equipped with a total of 30 speakers of wich eight are integrated into the front and rear seat headrests. You will hardly spot them as they are perfectly integrated into the interior concept. The 4D audio function using magnet-controlled shakers in the driver and front passenger seats provides you an immersive sound system which we enjoyed to the fullest. It all created an atmosphere as though you are in the studio with the musician.

Let’s get more in detail about the interior. Minimalism, meets innovation meets sustainability. The iX has been designed around the human factor, it’s like a mobile living room conveying a feeling of safety, confidence and comfort. The technology aboard is deployed intelligently and is only manifesting itself when it is actually required. Everything is neatly arranged, easy and intuitively to use – so geared to the needs of the driver and passengers. It’s a forward-looking feeling when you take your seat in the BMW iX. Everything is very coherent and stylish.
The centre console is made of FSC-certified wood and looks like a high-quality piece of furniture. In there, the gear selector is perfectly integrated and much smaller than usual. Next to it you find the iDrive controller made of cut crystal glass. There are various elements seen for the first time in a BMW, like the hexagonal steering wheel and the curved display. The control unit of the electric seat adjustment in crystal design is located in the upper area of the door.
Sustainability also plays an important role. natural and recycled materials like old fishing nets or plastic bottles are being used in the interior design of the BMW iX. For example the foot mats are made of old fishing nets and recycled plastic is among others used for the surfaces of the door panels, seats and floor panelling. The leather is tanned with olive tree leaf extract.

The clear and straight surface design is absolutely beautiful with the flush-fitted door openers, the frameless windows and the slim, futuristic front and rear lights. The kidney grille stands quite prominent at the centre of the front. It is completely closed and serves from now on as an intelligence panel. Camera technology, radar functions and other sensors are integrated behind a transparent surface. The grille takes on the role of a multifunctional high-tech interface for the advanced driving assistance systems.

The BMW iX is like a mobile living room, it is the perfect vehicle when travelling longer distances. You might be sceptical about the range. Maximum range is 630 km (according to WLTP). But if you want to reach that, you should not drive too agile. The adaptive and individually adjustable recuperation contributes to an improvement in range and also performance. In drive mode B, the one-pedal drive system is automatically activated with the highest recuperation level.
The BMW iX xDrive50 features all-wheel drive and can deliver up to 385 kW/523 hp. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. Top speed is 200 km/h. But you really don't have to worry about the range with the BMW iX. And thanks to the 200 kW charging power, the iX can be charged from ten to 80 percent in 40 minutes. So in other words: 120 kilometres of range are added in ten minutes.

For us the design is coherent all around and absolutely stunning. We are impressed by the BMW iX. Quite clearly – pure driving pleasure.

Pictures & video: BMW for ellectric
Text: Britta Reineke