Style Edit: BMW iX xDrive45 hits Hong Kong with its greener, more sophisticated ride
The range of between 490km and 602km is more than a third longer than previous iXs even while the higher torque allows for improved acceleration
For anyone looking for a greener, more intelligent, more thoughtfully made vehicle, with zero compromise on performance, interior comfort or exterior dash: your prayers have been answered. A luxury electric SUV that ups the bar and breaks new ground on numerous fronts, the BMW iX xDrive45, newly introduced in Hong Kong, offers a more powerful engine, a more refined profile, a dramatically longer range and a more sophisticated line-up of technology than any other vehicle in its class.
It certainly packs a punch, generating 408hp, 82hp more than previous generations of the iX, alongside 700Nm of torque, which allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds. The power comes from drive units on both the front and rear axles, part of the brand’s first chassis created specifically for electric vehicles.
That power is allied to exceptional range – between 490 and 602km, about 160km more than previous iXs, with the Max Range function adding up to another 25 per cent to that. That incredible stamina comes from a 94.8kWh battery that offers 30 per cent more energy.
The new BMW iX xDrive45 also brings the looks. Showing off minimalist lines, it features a redesigned BMW kidney grille at the front, frameless glass doors and body-coloured lower trim at the sides, and a seamless rear.
A similarly restrained aesthetic extends to the interior. An innovative layout, with the battery deep in the floor and the drive units on the axles, makes for a generous cabin, which also features seats with heat and massage functions. Seated behind the hexagonal steering wheel, drivers have dual information and control displays in reach, both with easy-to-use touch and voice control. Navigation is a cinch thanks to the BMW Head-Up Display with its Augmented View function, along with the BMW Maps system. When it comes to avoiding collisions, Driving Assistant technology enhances the car’s safety.
The BMW iX xDrive45’s sophistication also allows it to be kinder to the environment. For the first time, BMW has used silicon carbide semiconductor components to make it more efficient and it is also highly aerodynamic, with a svelte drag coefficient of just 0.25.