The All New BMW Electric Lineup: This Time With More Choice!
The all-new BMW iX combines practicality with style and speed. (Photo courtesy: BMW)
By: Lucas Rostler
Slated for release in the Spring of 2022 are the BMW iX, a zippy, compact SUV perfect for driving the kids around in style, and the i4, a more classic sports sedan.
The iX, the company’s first electric compact SUV, starts at $83,200. The i4, a sedan, comes in two models: the standard i4 eDrive 40, which starts at $55,400 and the first ever electric M-vehicle from the brand, the i4 M50, which starts at $65,900.
BMW’s First Compact SUV: the iX
The price tag on the iX is par for the course when considering the technology. With 516 horsepower, the iX sprints to 60 miles per hour in just 4.6 seconds. The 106-kilowatt hour battery has a range of about 300 miles while producing power to all four wheels. The standard level two charger found in most home garages gives a full charge in just 11 hours. All three of these new BMW models can support up to 200 kilowatts of DC charging (if you can find that much power) which allows for a 10% to 90% charge in 10 minutes.
For potential iX owners, the luxurious interior may be the most alluring aspect. The diamond-quilted interior comes with the choice of eco-friendly recycled cloth material or a classic plush leather trim. My personal favorite feature is the panoramic window on top, which can be shaded with the touch of a button, keeping all passengers cool and comfortable. The more environmentally-minded customers are sure to hone in on the floor mats made from recycled fishing nets. These types of yarn-based floor mats can reduce global warming potential by up to 90% compared to traditional petroleum-based yarn according to Plastics Today, a media company focused on the developments in plastic making.
In addition, the iX has a sprawling 27.2-inch screen divided into two parts: one for the instrument panel and the other for the infotainment. There is also the option to add 5G connectivity in the car.
Sporty and Sportier: the i4 and i4 M50
The i4 - a sporty four-door sedan - produces 335 horsepower and races from zero to 60 in about 5.7 seconds. The 81.5-kilowatt battery has a 300-mile range and takes about eight hours to fully charge with a standard level two charger, according to BMW.
The sportier sibling, the i4 M50, is definitely the more compelling of the two if speed is what you are after. With 536-horsepower, this beast pulls a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds.
An interesting feature of these two models are the dual motors, one on each axle. The power to each motor can be adjusted by the driver for better performance or better range. When opting for speed, range is always sacrificed. Even in standard mode, the M50 will give you 245 miles on a full charge with the same 81.5-kilowatt-hour battery included in the standard i4.
The interiors on the i4 and M50 are essentially the same as the BMW 4 series with an addition of the same curved touchscreens in the iX. Unlike the iX, these sedans only come in leather trim. There is no option for recycled materials.
With twice as much range as BMW’s most popular model, the i3, the addition of these two models shows that BMW is serious about competing in the EV market. While these two new models may not be as funky of a design as the i3, the technological improvements prove BMW means business when it comes to EVs in the very near future.
Borrow is an electric vehicle subscription company with one goal: to make driving an EV as simple and accessible as possible. Borrow is the only electric vehicle subscription service of its kind with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing the everyday drive.