BMW moves general acceptance of electric vehicles one step closer with its 2022 iX xDrive50 sports activity vehicle.
The iX xDrive50 delivers an exhilarating driving experience combined with a sense of well-being for both driver and passengers, all the while enjoying the journey with safety, security, luxury and guilt-free travel.
And with infrastructure in the form of more charging stations on the horizon (not to mention $5.00 per gallon gas), its’s only a matter of time for electric to gain widespread acceptance and gas-powered engines to go the way of the dinosaur.
The BMW iX xDrive50 can charge its high-voltage battery at up to 195 kW using a DC fast charger. Plugging the BMW iX xDrive50 into a fast-charging station with 10 percent charge for example, enables its range to be increased by up to 90 miles in just ten minutes at 195 kW. Using the same fast charger, it would take less than 40 minutes to increase the high-voltage battery’s state of charge from 10 to 80 percent.
iX xDrive50 seats five adults in the lap of luxury, with a generous cargo area primed for golf golf clubs, gear, groceries and the like.
What’s not to like about an EPA-estimated range of 324 miles on a single charge, 516 available horsepower, all-wheel drive, 0-to-60 miles per hour acceleration in 4.4 seconds, 5G connectivity, and a person eSIM?
BMW’s iconic kidney-shaped grille serves as an intelligent sensor panel with self-healing capabilities – not for air flow. And the iX xDrive50’s interior almost makes calling it futuristic an understatement.
Since the eDrive system of the BMW iX xDrive50 requires only a small amount of cooling air, the kidney grille is completely blocked off. Its role has thus turned digital and now it functions as an intelligence panel. Camera technology, radar functions and other sensors are integrated seamlessly into the grille behind a transparent surface along with their heating elements and cleaning system.
Starting with an almost two-foot long, curved sheet of glass that serves as the instrument panel, navigation, control, entertainment center and more, the cabin also incudes a hexagonal steering wheel, Blowers & Wilkins diamond surround sound system with 30 speakers, electrochromatic glass panoramic moonroof, and 50 percent fewer buttons and switches than normal, the cabin commands attention.
Other creature comforts include heated and ventilated front leather seats, four-zone climate control, radiant heating, wireless phone charging, thermally insulated windshield, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and more.
The BMW iX xDrive comes with an extensive suite of assistance systems designed to enhance both comfort and safety. The standard front collision warning system can slow the car to a standstill in order to avoid an impact or mitigate its consequences.
Other technology includes cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, active blind spot detection, parking assistant, surround view camera with 3D view, smart cruise control, automatic high
beams, and more.
The surface has barely been scratched, so if you’re interested, a personal test drive is highly advised. Happy gas free motoring!
Base Price: $83,195
Price As Driven: $101,020
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. Vehicle price may vary at local dealerships.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
