BMW has unveiled its vision for a self-driving electric crossover SUV and, if it actually ends up being a lot like the concept version, it should be a pretty cozy place to hang out.

The BMW Vision iNext is a concept vehicle for now. But BMW executives said they plan to put something like it into production in 2021.

The car was unveiled inside the belly of a cargo plane at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Inside, BMW's executives displayed working versions of some of the technologies being considered for the car, including touch sensitive fabrics and interactive projections. As with any concept vehicle, it's not yet clear which aspects or capabilities will actually be in the production version.

The front end of the Vision iNext features a new version of BMW's trademark "kidney" grill, which features two rounded rectangles. In the Vision iNext, the rectangular shapes are connected by a broad center section, creating something like a massive letter H. This grill is largely cosmetic, however, since a large radiator isn't needed on a fully electric car. A major reason for this center section is to cover the front-mounted cameras and sensors that enable the car's self-driving capabilities.

The interior of the car has a deliberately crafted room-like ambience. The seats, walls and even the dashboard are covered in richly textured fabrics. Instead of the usual center console between the front seats there is a table-like structure with a metal base and an inlaid wooden top.

BMW engineers are working on technologies that would allow the wood surface of the table to be used like a touch pad. This is similar to the way, in BMW cars now, drivers can write letters with their fingers on top of a large plastic control knob. Occupants of the iNext may also be able to write letters and shapes with their fingers on the car's seat fabrics.

BMW executives also showed off a projection technology that allows a user to hold a light cardboard sheet in their lap to use as a sort of tablet computer. Images, which the user can interact with, are projected from above onto the sheet which can even be moved around as it used. The projection beam follows the pad so that it never slips off the page.

One prevailing theme in the design of the Vision iNext is that technology should be, as much as possible, invisible until needed. (BMW calls it "Shy-tech.") That helps the inside of the car be as comfortable and relaxing as possible. When the car is in self-driving mode, the steering wheel draws away from the driver and the brake and accelerator pedal retract into the floor. The front seat headrests also fold back so occupants can more easily see and speak with one another.

BMW has said it plans to design and engineer future models so they can all be produced with a choice of internal combustion, electric or hybrid power. That will allow the company to easily shift production of new cars to suit consumer and regulatory demands as they shift.

The Vision iNext was revealed to journalists at four different airports -- in Munich, New York, San Francisco and Beijing -- over the course of five days earlier this week. The vehicle was packed into an exhibition space inside a Lufthansa Cargo jet that flew to each of the cities in succession. Journalists were invited on board the plane to see the car and speak with company officials.

It has been two years since we got our first look at BMW's new, electric-only crossover, then called the iNext. It featured a unique shape and bold styling designed specifically for an EV platform. Now we get a look at the nearly finished product, the 2022 BMW iX. We say nearly finished because the company has some fine-tuning to do and some specifications to finalize. But otherwise, this is what will be showing up on dealer lots in the first half of 2022.

The design is certainly a bit toned down from the concept, but the basic design has survived mostly intact. It has a passive pair of kidneys for the grille, ultra-slim headlights and taillights (the slimmest ever fitted to a BMW), and a unique profile featuring a short nose, long, sleek windshield, and a long cabin that almost sticks out over the ends of the car. The design is quite aerodynamic, not just because of the overall shape but also the flat underside and active shutters. The Cd is a slick 0.25. Weight hasn't been given, but considering the iX's aluminum and carbon fiber space frame, it shouldn't be too portly.

The exterior details are nifty, too. The grille is not so much a grille, and almost more of a windshield for the car's sensor array. The cameras, radar and other sensors are hidden behind it, and the grille features heater and washer elements to keep it clean in all driving conditions. The door handles are all flush fit, the doors themselves have no window frames, and the badges front and rear hide functional parts. The front badge pops open to reveal the washer fluid filler, which is needed because the hood doesn't open. Anything under the hood is for BMW techs only. The rear badge hides the washer sprayer for the rear camera.

The interior is also still concept-worthy — a futuristic feast. The showpiece is the floating curved display that features two embedded screens. In front of the driver is a 12.3-inch instrument panel, and to the right is a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. The screens will receive inputs from touch, an iDrive controller or via voice. BMW has gone to lengths to hide many things such as the speakers, and has carefully integrated air vents in order to provide a simple, minimalist interior. The steering wheel is unique with a hexagonal shape. The roof is glass with an electrochromic shade like what you can get in McLarens. The rear bench seat has been designed to evoke a lounge, with the edges blending into the doors.

Powering the iX will be a pair of electric motors making an estimated 500 horsepower, with the front motor driving the front wheels and the rear motor driving the back. BMW says the iX will be able to go from 0 to 62 mph in under 5 seconds. An under-floor battery supplies energy to the motors. BMW hasn't given an exact capacity, but it estimates that it should go 300 miles on a charge on the EPA test cycle. It can charge quickly, with a rate of 200 kW on a DC fast charger, which means an 80% charge can be obtained, starting from 10%, in under 40 minutes. It will also be possible to get 75 miles in just 10 minutes. The Level 2 charger charges at 11 kW, and a full charge will take about 11 hours on that type of charger. This powertrain is part of a modular EV platform that will underpin other future BMWs.

Production of the iX begins in the second half of 2021. The crossover will reach U.S. dealers in the first half of 2022. Pricing has not yet been announced.

BMW has no plans of ceding ground in the EV market to Mercedes, Audi or Tesla. Its Vision iNEXT electric SUV has moved from concept form to the testing phase. It’s now called the BMW iX and is the company’s EV flagship going forward. It’s eDrive technology produces about 500 hp. It goes on sale in early 2022.

The BMW iX rides on a new modular, scalable architecture, according to the company, and has a predicted range of about 300 miles. Electric motors on each axle power all four wheels; 0-60 mph takes a bit less than 5 seconds.

The iX enables DC fast charging at 200kW and the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in less than 40 minutes. BMW says that in 10 minutes, drivers can get back 75 miles of range. Overall, it charges fully in 11 hours on a Level 2 charger. BMW is also partnering with EVgo. It claims to be the nation’s largest public fast-charging network and the U.S.'s first powered by 100% renewable energy. All payments are done through BMW’s mobile app.

The head and taillights of the BMW iX are both slimmed down. The new EV is about the X5's length but is lower like the X6. Obviously, we get a new interpretation of BMW’s kidney grille in front along—it looks like the new 3- and 4-Series—with slim twin headlights. Since this is an EV the grille is completely closed off; personally, I think that’s a better look than no grille at all, but I’m sure everyone has thoughts.

BMW now needs the real estate for other things. Cameras, radar and other sensors find a home there, as do heating and cleaning systems to keep those sensors clear in any weather. The grille also has several coatings to protect it. One uses lasers and “a precisely defined combination of material and layer thickness to optimize radar performance.” The other is a self-healing polyurethane able to repair minor scratches “within 24 hours at room temperature or through a five-minute supply of warm air." Cool stuff here, and very useful going forward.

The BMW iX gets a panoramic glass roof, using two huge glass panels and three layers of film in between. That stops UV rays when clear and offers shade at the touch of a button. Shade mode is activated automatically when the iX is parked.

The BMW iX is about the same length as an X5, but the same height as an X6. BMWThe iX gets full LED headlights with adaptive LEDs optional. The sculpted hood features the Roundel logo, opening to accept washer fluid. And here’s something new: “the hood does not have an opening mechanism for use by the customer; the drive systems and power electronics can only be accessed by workshop technicians.”

That is a big deal, and something BMW did with the i8 sports EV. The question then becomes, “is this an anomaly, or a look to the future of all cars?” We’ll hope it’s the former but assume it’s the latter. Even if there is only an electric motor under the hood, I might still want to look at it. Flush door handles, frameless windows, slim mirror bases and new taillights complete the exterior look.

With anything EV, a ton of time is spent optimizing aerodynamics for those extra miles of range. BMW moved the IX's A-pillars forward, increasing the cabin size. It also tapered the glass house, closed off the underbody, added lower air flaps, those flush door handles and slim mirrors and came out with a drag coefficient of 0.25. For reference, the sleek Tesla Model 3 is at 0.23. BMW says those advantages were good for 40 extra miles on the European test cycle.

To save weight and add range BMW used an aluminum spaceframe body structure with a bunch of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components in the side, rear and roof areas. The cowl panel and rear window frame components use continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, which is similar to CFPR, but doesn't require carbon fiber.

With the moved a-pillars and no driveshaft tunnel the iX should feel cavernous inside. The squircle wheel sticks out in front of two big, curved screens while a glass rotary dial controls the operating system (BMW didn’t call it iDrive). Beside the heat vents, the iX also gets warmth from radiant heat. A head-up display projects needed info on the windshield.
The BMW iX gets integrated headrests. New seats feature integrated head restraints as opposed to sliding up and down on posts, and the seat adjustment buttons are on the door like Mercedes…and my old Mercury Grand Marquis. There are several trims offered for both the seat and seatbelt color. In the rear is a split-folding three-passenger bench.

With the 20-times improvement in processing power from the iX’s computer, expect all the safety features you’re used to right away, and semi-autonomous driving features in the near future.

We’re still way too early for pricing, as this vehicle is still undergoing testing. But the iX will have a lot of EVs to contend with when it launches in 2022. The Audi e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC are both near $66,000. So we expect the price to land near that.

BMW revealed the iX electric crossover to us late last year, but it was only a partial reveal. We got to see the EV from every angle, mull over some preliminary specs and look at some of the tech features. Today, we get to learn about the iX’s final production specs and countless other details.

We’ll start with the important, final power figures. The iX is launching in xDrive50 spec only in the U.S., giving it standard all-wheel drive. Output is 516 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque combined from its two electric motors. Its rear motor is stronger than the front, maxing out at 335 horses, while the front motor’s output is 268 horsepower. BMW revealed today that an iX M60 model is on its way “with over 600 hp” as the first electric M crossover. Timing on that model is not yet available. The standard xDrive50 model will cover the 0-62 mph sprint in just 4.6 seconds, so expect the M60 to be closer to or under 4.0 seconds. BMW is choosing to use a single-speed transmission, unlike the Porsche Taycan’s two-speed transmission.

BMW went over charging speeds and range at a surface level before, but there’s even more to learn today. There’s only one battery option available. It’s a 111.5 kWh battery pack, but BMW limits it to 106.3 kWh. This practice of limiting the battery from being charged to maximum capacity is common among EVs. There’s still no official EPA-estimated range available, but BMW is continuing to claim a range of “around 300 miles” on a full charge. Plug the iX into a DC fast charger, and it will take 40 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. In useful terms, feeding an iX at 200 kW charge speeds would increase the range by 90 miles in 10 minutes, assuming you’re starting from a 10% charge. BMW is making EVgo its public charging infrastructure partner, offering a more seamless charging experience for iX owners and a free $100 of charging to get you started.



Also new today are details about its suspension and chassis technologies. BMW is using “lift-related shock absorbers" as the standard suspension. There’s extra hydraulic damping incorporated into the shocks, which can adjust the firmness according to the changing suspension travel. With great suspension lift, a second piston drops down into the inner sleeve to generate an additional damping effect. BMW says the tech ultimately results in less body dive over large bumps and higher levels of comfort over minor road imperfections.

You can also forget about the above and option BMW’s adaptive air suspension that includes electronically controlled shocks and adjustable suspension height settings. Damping is continuously adjusted with these shocks as it is in BMW’s other electronically controlled adaptive suspensions. Maximum ground clearance isn’t stated, but it’s possible to raise the iX 0.8 inch on command or lower it by 0.4 inch in Sport mode. The iX automatically drops to its lower ride height at speeds exceeding 87 mph up to its top speed of 124 mph.

BMW says it’s using a new steering gear (debuting in the iX) for its standard variable ratio steering rack. However, the company’s optional Integral Active Steering system is also available and adds rear-wheel steering to the mix. The rear wheels can turn opposite the fronts to increase agility in corners/decrease the turning radius when parking, and they can also turn with the fronts to provide greater stability at speeds.



A new electric all-wheel-drive system is coming to the iX that is fully variable and can split torque to be either rear-drive-only for maximum efficiency or all-wheel drive for maximum traction. The traction control system designed for new BMW EVs also features “near-actuator wheel slip limitation” tech. This TCS system is integrated into the motor management system in an effort to eliminate any sort of signal travel lag to apply any corrective inputs quicker and more precisely between the front and rear wheels.

The brake-by-wire system allows you to select your preferred brake pedal experience. BMW says that one-pedal driving will be possible, but there’s also a coasting option and a combination of the two that sounds like it will be the closest to what a traditional gasoline engine car’s brakes feel like. Hiding the brakes are standard 20-inch aero-focused alloy wheels. You can step up to optional 21-inch or 22-inch options that BMW calls Air Performance wheels — BMW claims they are about 15% lighter than conventional light-alloy wheels. These optional wheels are also the ones fitted with special tires developed specifically for the iX to reduce tire noise on account of it being an EV.

Lastly, BMW revealed a starting price for the iX xDrive50. It begins at $84,195, including the $995 destination charge. BMW says that we should see the first iXs roll into the U.S. come the first quarter of 2022.

We've spent the good part of last year thinking BMW should fire its designers, but it turns out it might be its photographers that need to get the boot instead. Or at least share some of the blame.

244 photos

Don't get us wrong, the iX isn't like the girl in the movies that everyone ignores until she takes off her glasses and instantly (and quite magically) becomes magazine cover material. No, the iX still has its glasses on, but whether it's us becoming more used to its appearance or just getting to see it from various angles, the fact is it doesn't seem like the horrible monstrosity it once did.

People still draw parallels between it and the i3 – inevitable, we guess, considering BMW failed to make the slightest efforts to avoid it – but that's not necessarily such a bad omen for the iX. The little electric runabout wasn't the failure some people see it as, and the iX is definitely a big improvement.

Just look at its range, for starters. The official number isn't that important, but these media tests reveal it will do more than 310 miles (500 kilometers). Tesla owners may smirk at that knowing their electric SUVs have been doing it for years but for BMW, it's great progress.

Take Matt Watson's (of carwow fame) review, for example (video down below"). Yes, it all sounds like a bit of a BMW advert, especially the verdict ("buy it immediately"), but apart from the number of seats and the performance, there are basically no other reasons for a customer (particularly a European one) to consider a Tesla Model X over the BMW iX. With a starting price around $85,000, it's not even that expensive – for a premium electric SUV, that is.

The Bavarians are probably well aware of the fact their EV technology is still trailing a little, so they rightly decided to go all-out on the interior. The cabin of the iX looks so good, it can almost make you forgive the exterior entirely. And there's also plenty of tech. Sure, Tesla owners will once again point at the Autopilot and FSD, but not everyone is that eager to let go of the wheel. Some people still enjoy driving, and that should be even truer among BMW buyers.

What you do get instead is a head-up display – something BMWs have had for well over a decade now, so it has perfected the technology – as well as augmented reality for the sat nav, two very useful features that Tesla might implement if it wasn't so busy making its cars seem like they can drive themselves.

Matt's verdict may be a little rushed, but it does seem as though anyone looking to buy a competent electric SUV from a German manufacturer has received one more competitive option. As for the exterior design, while it's definitely frustrating knowing it could have been so much better, you can also find some solace in knowing it could have been slightly worse as well. Only just.

Even a supercar manufacturer like Automobili Lamborghini SpA is looking at releasing an all-electric GT in a matter of years, they still hang onto the legendary V12 engine for the flagship model, but it will be a hybrid because that’s what is required in tomorrows world, and more and more carmakers are following the trend set by makes like Tesla, and offer high-end, all-electric cars, we’ve already seen the Porsche Taycan, and more recently the 2022 Audi e-tron GT which even comes in an RS version and is using several parts from the Taycan, and while Audi has some electric SUV in their lineup already, it’s now time for BMW to join the club, with their latest release: the BMW iX M60, the MotorSport version of the iX.

With the 2023 BMW iX M60, they want to combine the best of three worlds, the all-electric power from the i-series, the SUV market with the X-segment, and the client looking for a sports version with the M, the famous Motorsport badge from BMW M GmbH. And this new SAV, BMW calls it the Sports Activity Vehicle instead of an SUV, comes with some impressive figures: the two electric motors offer a combined power output equivalent to 610 hp, and when you go into Launch Control you’ll have an amazing 811 lb-ft of torque available under your right foot.

When in Sport Mode this will result in acceleration figures of 3.6 seconds to reach 60 mph from standing still, the top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, but getting there in this all-electric iX M is all the fun, the acceleration is almost linear from 0 to 155 mph, while preliminary EPA estimates indicate a total range of 280 miles for the BMW iX M60.

The two motors have been specifically designed for the new BMW iX M60, and they don’t use magnets to turn, but instead use a principle of a current-energized synchronous machine, the excitation of the rotor is triggered by the precisely metered supply of electrical energy, in the case of the rear motor, this achieves an extremely high power density. The drive unit is six-phase operated and has a double inverter so it’s possible to have a significant power increase to get the typical BMW M power delivery not available in the regular BMW iX models.

The BMW iX M60’s body structure and suspension design have been optimized for ride comfort while still being sporty, an aluminum space frame combined with a carbon fiber reinforced plastic cage for the roof, the side, and the rear sections combine rigidity but still keep weight down, very important to get a low center of gravity in an SAV, the aerodynamic design results in a drag coefficient (Cx) of just 0.26, and because the HV batteries are fitted as low as possible, and within the wheelbase, this BMW iX M60 has an amazingly balanced weight distribution, which results in agile handling.

The BMW iX M60 suspension is another work of art, a double-wishbone front axle, a five-link rear axle, and an M-calibrated adaptive dual-axle air suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers, ensuring the optimum vehicle height at any speed, regardless of the load. In addition, the height of the vehicle body can be adjusted manually using a button on the center console, but the respective damper mapping can be activated by the driver using the My Modes button on the center console.

The BMW iX M60 will be recognizable by the bespoke 22-inch wheels finished in Titanium Bronze (optionally available), but also because of the blue brake calipers with M logo, while optionally you can get the BMW Individual Titanium Bronze Exterior with the M logos in high gloss black and Titanium Bronze finish, naturally, this top-of-the-line version comes with just about any other option as standard fitment.

Included as standard are BMW Live Cockpit Professional and BMW Natural Interaction, which allows functions to be operated using speech and gestures, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System, BMW Laser Light, Comfort Access, Active Seat Ventilation for the driver and front passenger, and the Radiant Heating Package, which warms the seats, steering wheel, and armrests and features innovative radiant heating of the door panels and dashboard to surround the occupants in warmth in cold weather.

The MY2023 BMW iX M60 will be officially launched in the United States of America in June 2022 with an MSRP of $105,100 (add a destination charge of $995), the car will be available in a limited palette of colors for the bodywork: Alpine White (STD), Dark Graphite Metallic, Phytonic Blue Metallic, Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic, Storm Bay Metallic, Oxide Grey Metallic, and last but not least, Aventurin Red Metallic. While for the upholstery you can select from Oyster Perforated SensaTec, Mocha Perforated SensaTec, Black Perforated SensaTec, Amido Perforated Leather, and Castenea Chestnut Perforated Leather.