BMW iX EV undercuts Mercedes-Benz EQC

The 2021 BMW iX will arrive in Australia in the final quarter of this year priced from $135,900 plus on-road costs.

BMW’s first long-range, high-output electric vehicle, which is a large luxury SUV around the same size as the BMW X5, will undercut both the Mercedes-Benz EQC (priced from $141,400 plus ORCs) and Audi e-tron (from $137,100).

It’s the first genuine salvo fired by the German prestige brand in the upcoming electric vehicle wars, with full pricing and specs released today showing that the BMW iX will open up in Australia with three variants across two previously announced model grades – xDrive40 and xDrive50.

As reported, a high-performance flagship 440kW iX M60 model will also arrive next year.

From the standard xDrive40 entry-level model at $135,900 plus ORCs, a higher-spec xDrive40 Sport will be offered at $141,900 plus ORCs, while the launch range will top out with a sole xDrive50 Sport model at $169,990 plus ORCs.

All BMW iX models come with at least 21-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels, LED headlights, power-adjustable leather front seats with massaging function, wireless smartphone charging, a high-end Harman Kardon sound system and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

The futuristic cabin design includes an eye-popping 14.9-inch curved instrument cluster that flows into a 12.3-inch touch-screen multimedia display.

The xDrive40 Sport adds bigger 22-inch wheels, ‘Sport’ brakes (with blue callipers), dark smoked-glass tail-lights, exclusive paint finishes and a kidney grille pattern in Chrome or Titanium Bronze.

As well as higher performance, the top-spec xDrive50 Sport adds a panoramic glass roof, BMW Laserlight headlights, soft-close doors, adaptive air suspension and active steering.

In terms of powertrains, both models feature a twin-motor set-up, with the entry-level BMW iX xDrive40 generating 240kW of power and 630Nm of torque, which is enough muscle to propel the futuristic-looking SUV from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds.

It also has a 425km range from its 77kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The BMW iX xDrive50 has a higher output of 385kW/765Nm that enables it to dispatch the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.6sec. It has a range of up to 630km from its 112kWh battery.

All models come with a five-year unlimited subscription to the Chargefox network, which is almost like having a free fuel card.

With access to fast-charging infrastructure, the iX xDrive40 can recharge its battery pack at rates of up to 150kW (DC), while the xDrive50 can handle 200kW (DC). In the real world, BMW claims this will see the vehicles recharge their batteries from 10 to 80 per cent in just 35 and 31 minutes respectively, when plugged into a fast-charger.

BMW also claims that just 10 minutes at a fast-charging outlet can add 95km of range onto the xDrive40, and 150km onto the xDrive50.

The 2021 BMW iX3 is due to arrive at about the same time as the iX, with the BMX X3-based all-electric SUV set to also undercut the similarly-sized Mercedes-Benz EQC – as we reported late last year.

The 2022 BMW i4 Gran Coupe is due to arrive early next year, while among a variety of other EVs in the works is an anticipated small BMW i2 model priced from about $40,000.

Here’s the full breakdown of equipment levels across the BMW iX launch range in Australia.

xDrive40
21-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels (non-runflat, includes repair kit)
LED Headlights
Interior Design ‘Suite’ – Olive Leaf Tanned leather
Multifunctional heated front seats, massage function
Quad-zone automatic climate control air-conditioning
Ambient Lighting
BMW Live Cockpit Pro, BMW Operating System 8
Driving Assistant Professional
Parking Assistant Plus
Harman Kardon surround sound system
DAB+ Digital Radio
Storage for wireless phone charging
Connected Package Professional, includes Apple CarPlay
ConnectedDrive eDrive Services
BMW Natural Interaction
BMW Iconic Sounds
Shadow Line Exterior
Alarm system
Comfort access
Chargefox five-year subscription
Charging Cable – Mode 2 for domestic sockets
Charging Cable – Mode 3 for public chargers

xDrive40 Sport
Includes all of the above plus:
Sport Package
Pronounced side sills in black high-gloss
Front apron with Air Curtains in body colour
Exclusive 22-inch wheel design
Dark headlights
Sport brakes with brake callipers in blue
Dark smoked-glass taillights
Exclusive paint finishes and a kidney grille pattern in Chrome or Titanium Bronze

xDrive50 Sport
Includes all of the above plus:
Panorama glass roof ‘Sky Lounge’
BMW Laserlight headlights
Integral active steering
Adaptive two-axle air suspension
Soft-close doors

Option packages

Comfort Package (all models): $3500
Steering wheel heating
Active front seat ventilation
Heated front and rear seats
Arm rest heating, centre console
Arm rest heating, front and rear doors
Heated instrument panel lower section, beneath steering wheel and glove box lid
Heated front and rear door panels, upper trim

Enhancement Package (xDrive40/xDrive40 Sport): $9500
Soft Close Doors
Panorama Glass Roof Sky Lounge
BMW Laserlight

Indulgence Package (xDrive40 Sport/xDrive50 Sport): $8500
Interior applications Clear & Bold
Interior camera
Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound

The BMW iX xDrive40 comes standard with Alpine White paint. Metallic paint colours are a $2000 option for xDrive40 but a no-cost option on xDrive40 Sport and xDrive50 Sport and include: Black Sapphire, Sophisto Grey, Phytonic Blue and Blue Ridge Mountain.

Mineral White is available exclusively for the iX xDrive40 Sport and iX xDrive50 Sport models.

Premium ‘BMW Individual’ metallic paint finishes are pegged at $2600 for xDrive40 Sport and xDrive50 Sport: Storm Bay and Aventurine Red.

How much does the 2021 BMW iX cost?
xDrive40 – $135,900
xDrive40 Sport – $141,900
xDrive50 Sport – $169,900
M60 – TBA
*Prices exclude on-road costs