A year after BMW unveiled the iX luxury electric SUV, it also unveiled the iX M60 - a model that takes the performance and luxury capability of the iX to an all-new level and also wants to show Tesla how things should be done. Priced at $111,500 - or about $25,000 more than the iX xDrive50 - the iX M60 comes with more power, a stiffer suspension, and a lot more standard equipment. It also offers tech features that you cannot find in any other electric luxury SUV, which should be expected from a car priced that high.
10 The Perfect Fully-Electric M Sports Activity Vehicle
Launched in early 2022, the iX M60 is the first fully electric M sports activity vehicle, which according to BMW, combines the best of three worlds: i, X, and M. The iX M60 is powered by two electric motors that operate on the principle of a “current-energized synchronous machine.” They deliver a combined 532 horsepower and 749 pound-feet of torque in base configuration, or 611 horsepower and 811 pound-feet when Launch Control is activated. This makes the iX M60 about 100 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque more powerful than its little brother, the BMW iX xDrive50. It also places it under the Tesla Model X which delivers 670 horsepower, but above models like the Audi e-tron (402 horsepower) or the Fisker Ocean (550 horsepower).
9 The BMW iX M60 Is The Fastest BMW SUV
BMW claims that the iX M60 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, but a test drive done by MotorTrend revealed the sprint time is actually a lot better, at only 3.2 seconds. They could also run the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds at a speed of 121.6 mph, though top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. This way the iX M60 becomes the fastest BMW SUV, taking the crown from the X5 M Competition that needs 3.8 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph. It is in fact a lot faster than the BMW Alpina XB7 that needs four seconds for the sprint. However, the iX M60 is on par with models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT (3.8 seconds) but under SUVs like the Kia EV6 GT (3.2 seconds) or the Model X Plaid (2.5 seconds).
8 Good Range; Fast Charging Capabilities
The base iX xDrive50 has a maximum range of 324 miles, but for the M60 that range drops to 280 miles, according to the official specs. But, during its test drive, Car and Driver recorded an impressive 290 miles of range - an extra 10 miles over the official figures. The iX benefits from DC fast charging capability, and it needs only 35 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent when using a 200-kW connection. While this may sound like much less than Model X's 333 miles of range, the iX M60 is capable of getting about 90 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging, which should make every trip very easy. The iX M60 can also be charged at home, where it needs about 10.25 hours when using a standard 11 kW charger.
7 It Could Become The World's First Color-Changing Car
At the 2022 CES show, BMW Unveiled a very cool-looking iX M60 concept - a very interesting vehicle that can change color thanks to a feature called iX Flow. At the moment, BMW announced it has the potential for future interior and exterior applications, which would make the iX M60 the world's first color-changing car. The iX Flow uses E Ink - an electrophoretic technology that can change color at the press of a button. The special process was created taking into account the different abilities of light and dark colors when it comes to reflecting sunlight and the associated absorption of thermal energy. This means that during hot days, the exterior of the car can be changed to white, while during cooler days it can go to a darker shade. According to BMW, this feature should help to cut the amount of cooling and heating required from the vehicle's air conditioning. Supercar Blondie got to test this feature, and, as expected, she loved it!
6 Just As Big As The BMW X5 M, But More Cargo Room
The BMW iX M60 measures 195 inches in length, 77.4 inches in width, and 66.8 inches in height, which makes it about the same size as the BMW X5 M (195 inches in length, 79.3 inches in width and 68.9 inches in height). However, despite being a little bit narrower and lower than the X5 M, the iX M60 offers more cargo room: 35.5 cubic feet with the seats up and 77.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. In comparison, the X5 M has a cargo room of 33.9 cubic feet with the seats up and 72.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite these impressive figures, the iX M60 is placed under the Model X when it comes to cargo space. The latter offers 37 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 85 cubic feet with the seats folded. It is however a lot roomier when compared to the Fisker Ocean, for example, which only has a cargo space of 20 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45 cubic feet with the seats folded.
5 Simplistic, Yet Luxurious Interior
The cabin of the iX M60 features a minimalistic, yet luxurious design. Everything inside is trimmed in high-end yet sustainable materials, and the surface of the leather used for the seats and instrument panel is treated with a natural olive leaf extract to avoid the harmful impact to the environment. Just like with the iX xDrive50, the iX M60 comes with a hexagonal steering wheel inspired by the world of motorsport. It also grants a better view of the section of the Curved Display positioned directly behind the steering wheel. As standard, the model comes with a panoramic glass roof that not only gives the generous feeling of space, but also features an electrochromic shading that helps protect the interior from direct sunlight. Customers paying an extra $1,150 can also opt for a cool Luxury Package that adds a distinctive center console with a walnut finish, plus backlit buttons and controller.
4 Loaded With Cool Technologies
The BMW iX M60 features one long, curved display that combines the 12.3-inch information display that plays the role of the instrument cluster, and the 14.9-inch central infotainment area. The infotainment system features the latest iDrive 8 generation of displays, controls, and software. For example, thanks to this feature, the iX can predict the traffic situation along the route you're taking, helping you to avoid unpleasant situations. It can also take you to the closest available parking spot and the closest charging station. Another cool feature offered in the SUV is the Remote Theft Recorder. Once this feature detects that the anti-theft alarm system is set off, it sends a message to the customer’s smartphone and activates the cameras from the vehicle's interior and exterior. There are of course a lot of other cool tech features, but another one that is worth mentioning is the kidney-grille's grille self-healing capacity. It features a polyurethane coating that helps heal all minor scratches in just a matter of minutes.
3 The BMW iX M60 Illuminates When It Sees You
BMW is not the only maker that has a car that "gets excited" to see you once you approach it – Cadillac does it too with the Lyriq, for example - but it surely makes the iX M60 feel a little bit more personal. Once the driver approaches the luxury SUV, the triangulation between the vehicle and the key or smartphone will tell the car from which direction the driver is approaching and how far away he is. Once the distance is below ten feet, the iX prepares an "orchestrated welcoming lights show" for its owner: it illuminates the door handles, activates the light carpet and the exterior lights, and automatically unlocks itself. The infotainment system plays a start-up animation, loads the BMW ID settings, and establishes a connection with the smartphone. In short, before the driver gets in the car, everything is prepared according to his exact specifications.
2 BMW IconicSounds Electric by Hans Zimmer
EVs might be fun to drive, but they are missing that thrilling sound delivered by a gas-powered car. This is why most makers are trying to find ways to give their electric vehicles special sounds that will reflect their character. Tesla does it for its models, Ford does it for the Mach-E, and so does BMW for its iX lineup. The company has teamed up with legendary film composer and Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer to create a special drive sound for the new BMW electric vehicles – BMW IconicSounds Electric. These specific sounds are played through the SUV’s 30-speaker sound system by Bowers & Wilkins and are based on the different actions and purposes of the car. There are different sounds created for the start/stop actions, external acoustic pedestrian warning system, and various other sounds that depend on the modes selected. This means that every sound delivered by the car is tuned to the driver’s personal preferences.
1 It Comes With A Stiffer Suspension
According to BMW, the iX M60 comes with a stiffer suspension when compared to the iX xDrive50 in order to handle the extra power and to deliver that comfortable handling combined with increased agility and dynamic performance everyone expects from an M model. The suspension system includes double-wishbone front axle, a five-link rear axle, and electric steering with Servotronic assist and a variable ratio. As standard, the iX M60 also has an M-calibrated adaptive dual-axle air suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers. Test drives revealed that the "M60's standard dual-axle air suspension admirably soaks up road blemishes while delivering a solid, composed ride." As standard, the iX M60 comes with 21-inch Aero bi-color wheels wrapped in summer tires, and the driver can adjust the height of the vehicle body using a button on the center console. All these features combined with the SUV's low center of gravity improve its cornering ability and make the drive a lot more pleasant.