Advantages, disadvantages and the first driving experience of the BMW iX 2022: strength and stability with components

The BMW iX xDrive50 is really worth the wait. A decade ago, BMW was one of the industry leaders in electrification among vintage car brands. They were pouring billions into the BMW i project, the innovative sub-brand responsible for developing purpose-built electric vehicles on a bespoke chassis as well as exploring innovative manufacturing processes and weight reduction through the extensive use of aluminum and advanced materials such as carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic .

In 2015, Harald Krueger appointed a replacement for Norbert Reithover as CEO of BMW, and the Munich-based carmaker backed away from its ambitious plans for electric and electric vehicles, prioritizing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) over battery electric vehicles. (BEVs).

Shortly thereafter, several senior managers of the BMW i project separated from the company and moved on to work on developing all-electric cars at other companies. We’ve interviewed a few of them, and they tell us they’ve left BMW because of the company’s new trend in electric cars.

The year 2021 came, and BMW did not issue a new electric car BEV to the North American market, despite the passage of eight years since the project, i.e. since the launch of the i3 in late 2013. And after it participated in the BMW EV pilot test program for 5 years in the period (2009-2014) , it was frustrating and we found no justification for the German car maker, who was leading in the field of electricity, and no reason to take the role of the underdog.

And it’s not about human resources, BMW has tremendous resources and great engineers, and I’ve always believed that if they wanted to, they could catch up quickly. Therefore, I was excited to learn and experience the BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 in the first wave of testing at a test event.

As the first BMW model to be based on a new electric-only vehicle platform, the iX represents the German automaker’s new approach to sustainability, where electric motors do not use scarce materials, battery cells are made using green energy from certified sources, while aluminum is made The iX uses electricity from solar power plants.

Table containing basic information about the 2022 BMW iX xDrive50

BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 exterior design

It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And not many BMWs had a more controversial exterior design than the BMW i3. However, the front end of the BMW iX gives the i3 a chance to survive thanks to its unconventional design. And here I am talking about BMW’s latest interpretation of its kidney grille. They’re so big, that huge kidney grills grab your attention, even if you try to look away.

One very interesting aspect of the grille is that BMW tells us that it has a “self-repairing” polyethylene coating that helps prevent and repair scratches if they occur. Or, if the surface gets scratched, the plastic will fill the scratch once it’s been heated appropriately, either by direct sunlight in a warm climate or by using a heating element, such as a hair dryer.

As for the rest of the external structure, it is characterized by a kind of calm, as it is a bit chunky, but we find that the proportions are good and within the scope of the design aesthetics, and although I did not like the general design, I will not allow its external design to prevent me from buying one. I went to the market to buy a luxury car, the BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 will be my choice of electric SUV.

BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 Interior Design

Inside, I found the story quite different. Inside, there is a minimally prepared part and a futuristic part that includes a lot of technology. Contrary to the Egyptian proverb, God willing, the cabin of the BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 comes decorated with padded leather seats, and I was very attracted by those crystal knobs and the ceramic-coated buttons, and I felt inside the BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 is open and spacious as well as comfortable, quiet and luxurious.

And while the version I drove had quilted leather seats, BMW will offer two other seating options; There are seats in microfiber quilted with a mixture of fabric and premium synthetic leather from the type Senatec. Contrary to the deeply ominous exterior focal point, the cabin has received so much attention in the interior that it has been universally acclaimed for its beauty and luxury. Of course I’m talking about the large, curved panoramic display that extends across more than half of the dashboard.

While they look like one tall screen, they are actually two separate screens; It features a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch side-by-side central touch screen covered by a single piece of glass. The screen was very bright and clear.

I really liked the new BMW iDrive 8 package, which is a technology that has been reserved for the BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 only, and has added a significant improvement over the previous versions. I found the system to be easy to navigate, responsive and full of menus that allow the driver to set up the car to perform according to their preferences.

Prices for BMW iX 2022 xDrive50

Pricing for the 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 will start in the $80,000 range. That puts it above some of the competition, but if BMW can truly manage a driving range of 482 km, there is a lot of value that puts this comfortably-sized SUV ahead of nearly every competitor except Tesla.

New BMW iX technology

According to the German manufacturer, the BMW iX xDrive50 2022 comes with many features. For example, you have the standard 18-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system. But you can use Bowers and Wilkins’ 30-speaker system, which integrates some of the speakers into the SUV’s seats.

A four-zone climate control system and head-up display are also included. It also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The iX features a curved display that fuses together the 12.3-inch dashboard display and the massive 14.9-inch center console display to form what appears to be a single unit angled toward the driver. There is even an internal camera in case someone steals your iX and you need to take a picture of the thief.

BMW’s developments extend to the iX’s exterior as well. The flush door handles require just one touch to become usable, and access is provided via a digital key. The LED headlight strips in the front corners are the thinnest BMW-made to date.

Safety

NHTSA and IIHS have not yet tested the iX xDrive50. But BMW has given the SUV a few more active safety features. This includes emergency braking, cross-traffic alert, rear cross-traffic and blind spot displays. Parking sensors are also included, and adaptive cruise control and lane centering are both available.

BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 performance on the road

The BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 doesn’t run like any other 5,659-pound SUV. Although it’s about 600 to 800 pounds heavier than the X5 X5, it rides lightly, and depending on the configuration, the BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 actually feels lighter. All you have to do is insert the keys and iX will behave perfectly.

I found the driving characteristics to be well-balanced: solid and comfortable, but also nimble; With electric all-wheel drive, technologies to reduce wheel slip near the operator, lift-related dampers as standard, two-axle air suspension, electronically controlled dampers, integrated active steering, pneumatic performance wheels and noise-reducing tires as options.

The BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 draws agility from a 111 kWh battery pack, with an average electrical energy consumption of 23.0 – 19.8 kWh/100 km (depending on the WLTP test cycle), and the battery is located under the passenger compartment, on top of a customized chassis. The order, is a carbon cage to reduce weight, and the iX we drove had an optional BMW Dynamic Handling package that delivers limited chassis deflection when cornering, with a comfortable, smooth ride on bumpy roads and a direct, slightly heavy steering feel.

The car is equipped with an integrated unit of the electric motor, power transmission and transmission electronics, in addition to the latest battery cell technology. The drive system generates a maximum torque of 765 Nm (564 lb-ft) in the BMW iX xDrive50 and 630 Nm (464 lb-ft) in the BMW iX xDrive40.

According to BMW, the iX accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, which feels right. But the performance doesn’t stop there. Hit the gas pedal at high speeds on the highway where it can still push you back into your seat. Its thrust comes from a twin-engine engine that generates 516 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque which is more than enough to put a smile on the face of any potential iX buyer.

BMW has integrated adjustable regenerative braking in its new BMW iX 2022 xDrive50, a system that allows the driver to select their preferred level of regeneration of the boot brake. Using adaptive regeneration settings, the car uses the driver assistance system and data from the navigation system to adjust the regenerative braking force.

Choosing either adaptive or individually adjustable recuperation of braking energy increases efficiency, enabling one-pedal feel and use of the aerodynamic function – depending on the need and the traffic situation. I was really surprised at how well the adaptive regeneration system worked, especially on secondary roads and going through many of the roundabouts we drove on our route. The system detects traffic and stop lights early and slows the car down on its own using only regenerative braking, thus recovering as much power as possible.

The BMW iX 2022 xDrive50 also has an available self-parking feature called Automated Valet Parking which we were able to see in action. The system works very much like a parking assistant similar to the one in the Xpeng that we checked out recently. The BMW system follows a path preprogrammed by the owner, and will repeat the maneuver when prompted. It is important to note that this system cannot ‘search’ for a parking space and then stop itself, but can only repeat the parking maneuver at a specific pre-assigned parking space.

Features of BMW iX xDrive50

And now we come to the features of the 2022 BMW iX xDrive50, as it comes with a cabin full of technology, with advanced safety features as standard, and a powerful engine, of course, that provides quick acceleration and launch.

Disadvantages of BMW iX xDrive50

Of course, the price is high, and it is offered with a lower driving range than Tesla electric cars, and I found the driving dynamics to be good, while some say it is not

impressive

The BMW iX xDrive50 starts at $83,200. That’s one of the highest starting prices in the luxury hybrid and electric SUV class. On the bright side, there aren’t any more expensive trims, but the iX’s base price is still higher than many classmates’ top-trim prices.

BMW IX 2022 Price in Italy is ITL 71,601 (US$82,300)

2022 BMW iX is an upcoming Electric SUV in Italy. BMW iX is powered by 516 horsepower engine. It has All-wheel drive and Single-speed automatic transmission. All the information on this page is unofficial, but the official specs, features, and BMW iX Price in Italy will be updated after the official launch.