[imagesource: BMW]

Looks like BMW is joining the electric car revolution with its forthcoming flagship electric vehicle (EV).

The German automaker is releasing the iX electric SUV with 300 miles (482 kilometres) of range and a starting price of $82 300 (around R1,1 million).

Not too bad if you consider the luxury styling and upgraded battery.

That sum will also get you an electric all-wheel drive motor configuration capable of putting out 516 horsepower for a 0–100 kmph sprint in 4,6 seconds, per The Verge.

The price also means that the iX will be priced in Tesla Model X territory, and may possibly dethrone Elon Musk’s falcon-winged EV as the luxury SUV of choice for consumers.

The Tesla Model X does win in that it has 60 miles more of driving range on a full charge, compared to BMW’s iX.

Although, BMW is planning a more powerful iX M60 model for the future, with over 600 horsepower.

Anyway, iX is also expected to compete with the Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace, and Mercedes EQC when it eventually hits dealerships in the first quarter of 2022.

Viva la electric car revolution!

The iX has been criticised for its design, particularly the “aggressive and superfluous blocked-off kidney-shaped grille”:

But the functionality of the grille may just override the aesthetics:

The grille serves as an“intelligent sensor panel” made with a polyurethane coating that can self-repair small scratches within 24 hours at room temperature or through a five-minute supply of warm air.

In further defence of the grille, Don Smith, product manager for BMW, said that while “obviously it makes no sense to have an open grille,” the automaker’s customers “want it to look like a BMW”.

Besides, one can also direct their attention to another quirky design feature:

The rearview camera is embedded in the BMW logo positioned in the center of the tailgate. If the camera is obscured by mud or dirt, the logo extends out a few centimeters to reveal a spray of washer fluid.

The all-glass panoramic roof is also a nifty addition, with electro-chromatic dimming that can turn the glass from translucent to milky opaque in a fraction of a second.

Don’t worry if you get cold as the iX is the first vehicle from BMW to come with a radiant heating system.

That means that heating can be switched on for all vertical surfaces such as the instrument panel, glove compartment, door panels, and contact surfaces like the centre armrest and steering wheel.

If you’re one to constantly lose your car key, fear not, for you can use your smartphone to unlock this car.

What’s more, to make the statement of having this car more bold, she comes in red, too:

BMW knows all too well that time is money, so charging won’t be a dragged out affair:

The BMW iX xDrive 50’s fifth-generation eDrive platform uses a 400-volt battery pack with a gross energy content of 111,5kWh and a net energy content of 106,3kWh.

That makes it possible to charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent at a DC fast charger at 200kW in about 40 minutes.

It also has an impressive curved iDrive display that comes with a host of additional high-tech features, such as an augmented reality heads-up display to help with navigation – something that is typical to luxury EVs.

Well, it sure is the start of something new, and not just for BMW, but for the motor industry at large, too.

[source:theverge]