BMW’s fully electric bespoke sports utility wagon will cost more than the most popular X5s and the base X7 and also has a premium over versions of Audi, Mercedes and Tesla rivals.

CONJECTURE about BMW’s intention to position its iX electric sports utility as a fully premium product has been confirmed by announcement today of pricing.

The two models here in the last quarter - the 240kW/640Nm xDrive40 promising 425km WLTP-measured range from a 76.6kWh battery and the 385kW/765Nm xDrive50 for which up to 630km range from a 111.5kWh battery is cited – are provisioning in Sport treatments for $163,900 and $197,900 respectively.

The closest equivalents, in respect to size and potential usage similarity, in the fossil-fuelled BMW family are two X5s, the petrol xDrive 45e plug-in hybrid and the diesel M50d, which site at $157,900 and $185,900 respectively.

Three other X5s place in the $126,900 to $149,900 band, including rhe variant most popular with buyers. One version of the physically larger X7 also occupies the same price zone as the iX and another is slightly cheaper.

Conceivable electric rivals include the Audi e tron in SUV format, from $151,500 to $189,900 (as a Sportback), the Mercedes EQC, at $142,900 and $151,600, and the Tesla Model X, in $182,990 and $209,990 presentations.

BMW New Zealand has yet to give indication about the sticker it envisages for the iX M60, an even more performance-enhanced third variant with in excess of 440kW also been confirmed for local release, though lagging the other two.

The brand says the price includes a complimentary membership with ChargeNow – the partnership it has with national fast charge provider ChargeNet, with discounted rates for the first two years of ownership - and has established an on-line store, https://onlinestore.bmw.co.nz/, for customers to enter their orders.

All are configured for DC charging – respectively up to 150kW and 200kW for the derivatives assigned for 2021 release – and BMW promises ranges of 95 kilometres and 150km can be added to those models within just 10 minutes at that level of charging.

BMW cites the xDrive50 will achieve 0-100kmh in just 4.6 seconds, or 6.1s for the xDrive40.

The car’s positioning as a high-end product, even by BMW standards, reflects in the specification. The cain is especially modernistic, with the large wholly digital Curved Display instrumental and infotainment screen, a hexagonal steering wheel and frameless projector integration for the optional head‑up display.

Both models adopt 22-inch alloys and have LED headlights, keyless entry and push button start, full leather, headed front seats with massaging, four zone air con, ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, BMW Natural Interaction voice assistant, a Harman/Kardon sound system, semi-automatic parking and a healthy span of driver assists, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. A panoramic ‘Sky Lounge’ glass roof, standard on iX xDrive50 Sport, is the largest ever offered by BMW at one metre wide and two metres long.

The iX also debuts the latest version of iDrive, based on BMW Operating System 8. ‘My Modes’ personalisation options expand the range of vehicle settings that can be selected, thereby creating an all-encompassing personal driving experience, plus navigation uses the cloud-based BMW Maps and Augmented Reality Video in the control display: In addition, five cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors are used to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings. The iX also integrates 5G onboard mobile technology for high-speed data transmission. A remote theft recorder is a feature.

Many drive sensors are behind the completely blanked-off BMW kidney grille; BMW says this is indicative of its ‘Shy Tech philosophy’ where elements are seamlessly integrated and, in some cases, hidden from view. The grille also has an in-built cleaning system and BMW claims a ‘self-healing’ function for remedying light stone chips.

The brand is claiming the car’s build and design takes a particularly environmental approach.

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, it says.

BMW Group has also stated it 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. 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 ChargeNow involvement means owners gain free membership and receive a 10 percent discount on all ChargetNet charging sessions for the first 24 months.