How much range has the BMW iX4 on a charge?
Up to 828 kilometres is quoted by BMW under WLTP conditions for the iX4 in its most efficient specification. That’s the iX4 50 xDrive model, featuring a lithium-ion battery pack of 108.7kWh usable energy.
It can make use of three-phase AC outlets of up to 11kW as standard, with 22kW optional, while peak DC-charging is an impressive 400kW. If you can find a suitably powerful charger, that means a theoretical 387km of range for just 10 minutes plugged in.
The BMW iX4 40 xDrive gets a smaller battery – 82.6kWh net capacity – for a still-useful range of up to 638km. Its peak DC-charging rate is pegged at 300kW, which is hardly slow.
The M60 xDrive variant uses the bigger battery with the faster charging, but its official range peaks at 777km as it’s not as efficient as the ‘50’ model.
Is the M60 the one with yellow lights?
Indeed it is, and following on from our story on the new BMW M350 xDrive, it would appear that those yellow lights are to be a signifier of BMW M Performance Vehicles – i.e. those that sit below full-on M cars, but above the rest of the lineup.
Anyway, that’s where the BMW iX4 M60 xDrive comes in. From its two electric motors, BMW extracts up to 612hp and 875Nm of torque, giving it a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds. There’s no ‘Drift Moment’ function as there is in the 3 Series, however, which is probably just as well in an electric SUV weighing 2.4 tonnes…
The M60 xDrive does get its own M-flavoured detailing inside and out, unique 21-inch wheels as standard and a comprehensive specification – including adaptive damping – to differentiate it from other models in the iX4 range.
Those other ones are slow, are they?
Far from it. Both employ two electric motors for ‘xDrive’ all-wheel drive, so they’re blessed with a traction advantage from the off. And even the entry-level iX4 40 xDrive produces up to 374hp and 520Nm of torque, enough to accelerate the SUV to 100km/h from rest in 5.6 seconds.
The iX4 50 xDrive has more performance again, with 469hp, 645Nm of torque and 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.
What are the highlights of the BMW iX4’s exterior?
Well, aside from the fact that the BMW iX4 will only be offered in M Sport guise – fitted with 20-inch wheels and blue-painted brake callipers as standard – it’s nigh on identical to the iX3 from its nose to the front doors. The cars are the exact same length and width, too.
Obviously, the roof is all new, and it brings down the overall height of the iX4 by a significant 40mm in comparison to the equivalent iX3.
It features a curving panoramic glass sunroof as standard, smoothly integrated with the glass of the tailgate. That incorporates a neat black spoiler (it’s more pronounced on the M60 variant) above the central BMW badge.
The back lights are carried over from the BMW iX3 – as is the location and design of the large flap over the right-rear wheel that covers the charging port – though the rest of the rear appears to be unique to the iX4.
A selection of wheel designs is offered, up to 22 inches in diameter, and the colour palette includes three ‘Frozen’ (i.e. matt-finish) options.
And what about the iX4’s cabin?
No major surprises inside the iX4 if you’ve sat in any of the BMW Neue Klasse cars, as it carries over the excellent Panoramic iDrive layout with a weirdly shaped – but very good – 17.9-inch touchscreen, BMW Operating System X and the fantastic Panoramic Vision display running along the base of the windscreen.
The iX4 gets odd-looking – but good to hold – steering wheels, too. There’s plenty of choice in specifying the interior finish with three core designs to choose from and seven different upholsteries.
All versions come with electrically adjusted front seats, while the iX4 M60 xDrive features M Sport seats as standard.
In terms of practicalities, the iX4’s boot holds 490 litres with all seats in use, or up to 1,600 litres with the 40:20:40-split rear seatbacks folded down. The equivalent figures for the iX3 are 520 litres and 1,750 litres, though the iX4 has the same 58-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet.
Is the BMW iX3 available in M60 xDrive guise?
Following the unveiling of the iX4 it is, yes. The iX3 M60 xDrive gets the same dual-motor, 612hp setup as the iX4 version of course, and the same 3.9-second 0-100km/h time, though a slightly lower official range of 754km because of the more upright design.
The sportiest iX3 gets the same visual treatment and technical specification such as the Adaptive M suspension, 21-inch rims and more.
So, how much more than the BMW iX3 will the iX4 cost in Ireland?
We’ll update this piece as soon as we get Irish pricing, but for reference, the iX3 40 xDrive M Sport starts at €70,135, so figure on a premium of a few grand on top of that for starters.
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