The first-ever BMW iX will arrive in New Zealand in Q4 2021 with two variants. The New Zealand iX line-up will comprise of the xDrive40 Sport and iX xDrive50 Sport, both offering plenty of luxury, safety, technology and convenience features.

Customers will also be able to reserve their iX online via the BMW New Zealand Online Store (https://onlinestore.bmw.co.nz/).

The two power systems at the heart of the iX models are fifth-generation BMW eDrive components, responsive and with abundant power – 240kW in the xDrive40 Sport, and 385kW in the xDrive50 Sport.

The latest battery cell technology results in WLTP-calculated ranges of up to 630 kilometres in the iX xDrive50 and up to 425 kilometres in the iX xDrive40.

Also set to join the iX line-up at a later date is the powerhouse BMW iX M60, which will produce a maximum output in excess of 440 kW#.

The fifth-generation BMW eDrive components fitted to the BMW iX sees the electric motor, power electronics and transmission coming together within a single housing. This highly-integrated electric drive system maximises power density and efficiency in a compact package positioned across the front and rear axles.

Both motors in the BMW iX operate according to the principle of an electrically excited synchronous motor, where the excitation of the rotor is induced by the feed-in of electrical energy rather than fixed permanent magnets.

This enables maximum torque on tap immediately upon activation, as well as a tall, broad and flat torque band. Combined torque peaks at 630Nm on the BMW iX xDrive40, with a maximum of 765Nm on the BMW iX xDrive50.

Electric all-wheel-drive and near-actuator wheel slip limitation


The electric all-wheel-drive system in the BMW iX transmits exactly the right amount of drive torque to the front and rear wheels in all driving situations, says BMW. Its drive control enables fully variable power transmission, ranging from highly efficient pure rear-wheel-drive to traction-maximising all-wheel-drive.

The near-actuator wheel slip limitation technology fitted in tandem with all-wheel-drive for the first time brings about a further improvement in traction and handling stability, according to BMW.

The xDrive50 posts impressive acceleration times with 0 to 100km/h achieved in just 4.6 seconds, while the xDrive40 hits 100km/h from rest in 6.1 seconds.

High-voltage battery with the latest battery cell technology

The BMW iX features fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. Volumetric energy density at cell level is up by around 40 per cent compared with the high-voltage battery in the 2020 BMW i3.

The BMW iX xDrive50 is fitted with a high-voltage battery with a gross energy content of 112kWh, while the battery unit for the BMW iX xDrive40 has a gross energy content of 77kWh.

Anticipatory thermal management enables the high-voltage battery’s operating temperature to be optimised for quick and efficient charging prior to a scheduled stop at a fast-charging station.

The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) in the BMW iX offers flexible charging options in both AC and DC formats. 

DC power can be taken on board at a rate of up to 200kW (iX xDrive50) or 150kW (iX xDrive40). This allows the battery’s state of charge to be increased from 10 to 80 per cent in just 35 minutes in the BMW iX xDrive50 or 31 minutes in the iX xDrive40.

Range can be increased by up to 150 kilometres on the iX xDrive50 and more than 95 kilometres for the iX xDrive40 in just 10 minutes when they are plugged into a DC fast-charging station with an initial battery charge of 10 per cent.

Wide variety of driver assistance systems


The new technology toolkit in the BMW iX offers the development of automated driving and parking functions. A new generation of sensors, a new software stack and a powerful computing platform provide the basis for advanced intelligence. Five cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors are used to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings.

The BMW iX comes equipped with the most extensive set of standard driver assistance systems ever seen on a BMW. The front collision warning system, for instance, now detects oncoming traffic as well as cyclists and pedestrians when turning.  Steering and Lane Control Assistant, both of which are standard on New Zealand-delivered models, have been significantly expanded, while Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function offers enhanced situational distance adjustment.

The exit warning function, which alerts to the presence of cyclists or pedestrians in the surrounding area before the doors are opened, and the Remote Theft Recorder, are both new features.

Also on the standard equipment list are Parking Assistant including Reversing Assist Camera and Reversing Assistant.

Production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing using purely green power, monitored raw materials extraction, high proportion of natural and recycled materials


All variants of the BMW iX are be produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. Both the vehicle itself and the battery cells are manufactured using green power across the board, with a highly sustainable value chain that avoids primary resource use as much as possible built in to the production process.

BMW Group 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.

The design principle for the electric motors allows the use of rare earth metals to be avoided in the drive system rotors. The company also smelts part of the aluminium used in the production of the car using green power from solar energy plants.

A high proportion of secondary aluminium and reused plastic also contribute to the resource-efficient production of the BMW iX. Its interior uses FSC-certified wood, leather tanned with olive leaf extracts and other natural materials. Recycled fishing nets are among the raw materials used for the floor coverings and mats.

The all-new BMW iX and the ChargeNow network in New Zealand

All new BMW electric vehicle owners will receive a free ChargeNow membership card and free membership. BMW electric vehicle owners will also receive a 10% discount on all charging sessions used in the ChargeNow charging network for the first 24 months.

BMW iX xDrive40 Sport and iX xDrive50 Sport pricing*

BMW iX xDrive40 Sport                $163,900*

BMW iX xDrive50 Sport                $197,900*

*Recommended Retail Pricing is shown and includes GST, but excludes on-road and delivery costs. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing enquiries.

#Power ratings for iX M60 are an estimated figure at the current time of printing.

BMW iX xDrive40 Sport:

Standard specification highlights:

  • Two current-excited synchronous motors, one front, one rear
  • 77 kWh high-voltage battery unit
    • 240kW
    • 630Nm
    • 0-100km/h 6.1s
    • Max range (WLTP) = 425km
  • Metallic Paintwork
  • Sport Package (includes pronounced side sills in Black high-gloss, front apron (with Air Curtains) in body colour, exclusive 22-inch wheel design, dark headlights, Sport brakes with brake callipers in blue, dark smoked-glass taillights, exclusive paint finishes and a kidney grille pattern in Chrome (optionally Titanium Bronze).
  • BMW IconicSounds Electric
  • 22” Aerodynamic Alloy Wheels, non-Runflat, incl. repair kit
  • LED Headlights
  • Shadow Line Exterior
  • Alarm System
  • Comfort Access
  • Seat Heating, front
  • Multifunctional Seats, front incl. massage function
  • Automatic Air Conditioning, 4-Zone
  • Ambient Lighting
  • Charging Cable – Mode 2 for domestic sockets
  • Charging Cable – Mode 3 for public chargers
  • Driving Assistant Professional
  • Parking Assistant Plus
  • harman/kardon Surround Sound
  • DAB+ Digital Radio
  • Storage for Wireless Charging
  • Connected Package Professional, incl. Apple CarPlay
  • ConnectedDrive eDrive Services
  • BMW Live Cockpit Pro, BMW Operating System 8
  • Interior Design ‘Suite’ – Olive Leaf Tanned Leather

iX xDrive50 Sport:
Includes all specification elements from the xDrive40 Sport and adds the following:

  • Two current-excited synchronous motors, one front, one rear
  • 112 kWh high-voltage battery unit
    • 385kW
    • 765Nm
    • 0-100km/h 4.6s
    • Max range (WLTP) = 630km
  • Panorama Glass Roof Sky Lounge
  • BMW Laserlight
  • Integral Active Steering
  • Adaptive 2-Axle Air Suspension
  • Soft-Close Doors

BMW iX – Technical Data

VariantPowerTorque0-100km/h (sec)Battery
(kWh)
Range
(km, WLTP)
RRP*
xDrive40 Sport240kW630Nm6.177  425$163,900*
xDrive50 Sport385kW765Nm4.6112  630$197,900*

BMW iX – Charging Data

Charging ratexDrive40 SportxDrive50 Sport
Max DC Charge Rate150kW200kW
Range from 10 mins charge at Public Charger (max rate)>95km150km
Public Charging 10 – 80% charge (max rate)0:31hrs (approx.)0:35hrs (approx.)
BMW i Wallbox 10 – 80% charge (11kW rate)7:15hrs (approx.)10:45hrs (approx.)
Domestic socket 10 – 80% charge (approx. 1.8kW rate)44:00hrs (approx.)66:00hrs (approx.)
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How on earth to start this? I've been car/bike/truck crazy since I was a teen. Like John, I had the obligatory Countach poster on the wall. I guess I'm more officially into classic and muscle cars than anything else - I currently have a '65 Sunbeam Tiger that left the factory the same day as I left the hospital as a newborn with my mother. How could I not buy that car? In 2016 my wife and I drove across the USA in a brand-new Dodge Challenger, and then shipped it home. You can read more on www.usa2nz.co.nz. We did this again in 2019 in a 1990 Chev Corvette - you can read about that trip on DriveLife. I'm a driving instructor and an Observer for the Institute of Advanced Motorists - trying to do my bit to make our roads safer.

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