[MrScott]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

The BMW USA web site is now listing the official EPA range:

“Range iX xDrive50: Up to 324 miles”

Happy to see the EPA test results exceed the original 300 mile estimate.

Official Press Release:

Combined 516 hp and electric all-wheel drive. 0-60 mph in 4.4 sec.
EPA range up to 324 miles.
Available 5G and Personal eSIM
MSRP of $83,200 plus $995 Destination.
U.S. market launch expected in Q1 of 2022.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – June 1, 2021…BMW is proud to announce the BMW iX xDrive50. Conceived from the outset as purely electric mobility, the iX sees BMW redefining its successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept. The BMW iX has been created to provide something beyond just mobility – an exhilarating driving experience combined with a sense of well-being for both drivers and passengers all the while enjoying the journey with safety, security and in luxury.

The iX xDrive50 brings together the company’s latest developments in the fields of design, sustainability, connectivity, electrification and digital services. The expertise accumulated by the BMW Group over many years in the area of sustainability has been channeled into the manufacturing of the BMW iX xDrive50. The most exacting environmental requirements have been put in place throughout the value chain and for the full life cycle of the car. Key components include closely monitored raw materials extraction, the exclusive use of electricity from renewable sources in the production process and an extraordinarily high proportion of recycled materials.

Some of the advanced technology features making their BMW debut in the 516 hp iX include DC fast charging at up to 195 kW, available 5G and Personal eSIM support, a single-piece panoramic glass roof with electrochromic shading, the BMW Curved Display and iDrive 8, BMW Digital Key Plus with ultra-wideband radio technology, available Bowers and Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound with 4D audio and the iconic BMW kidney grille serving as an intelligent sensor panel with self-healing capabilities.

A more powerful iX M60 model, with over 600 hp and the first all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle from BMW M GmbH, is planned for the future.

[kid2010]

It's really interesting that 22" wheel still got a slightly longer range than the 21". Anyone know why?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by kid2010

It's really interesting that 22" wheel still got a slightly longer range than the 21". Anyone know why?

Strange, the wheels don't look any more "aerodynamic." The 22's require the sport appearance package, maybe the aero or drag is better with that?

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by kid2010

It's really interesting that 22" wheel still got a slightly longer range than the 21". Anyone know why?

Probably some sort of aero package, or lighter rim materials (?). But overall, perfect range for even the longest day trip for me. In the east coast, the non-Tesla fast-charging network is rapidly growing as well.

[stylinexpat]

Once we see 450-500 mile range then these can be considered otherwise 200+ miles is not so good. At highway speeds of 80 MPH with music and AC on this will barely be over 200 miles. If battery is 80% charged then most likely even quite a bit less. Not quite so good. Maybe after 1-2 years from now.

[hotrod182]

Originally Posted by stylinexpat

Once we see 450-500 mile range then these can be considered otherwise 200+ miles is not so good. At highway speeds of 80 MPH with music and AC on this will barely be over 200 miles. If battery is 80% charged then most likely even quite a bit less. Not quite so good. Maybe after 1-2 years from now.

If thats your daily use scenario. Otherwise for the occasional trip, you can pick up 80 miles in 10 mins of charging at the DCQC station.

[therealm3]

Originally Posted by stylinexpat

Once we see 450-500 mile range then these can be considered otherwise 200+ miles is not so good. At highway speeds of 80 MPH with music and AC on this will barely be over 200 miles. If battery is 80% charged then most likely even quite a bit less. Not quite so good. Maybe after 1-2 years from now.

Nah. ICE cars don't really have that range now unless we are talking hybrid with a large gas tank or hyper milers.

You are correct in that on the freeway the range is much less. In our current electric car I would say it is about 80% of the city range. So in this case 250-260 instead of 324. Which honestly is very acceptable. At that point you can fast charge to 75-80% range in the time it takes to eat a little something. And for 99% of drivers and use cases this is plenty.

I doubt we will see much more range designed into electric cars going forward unless it is a special long range edition or something. It's just not necessary. The technology will go into making the batteries smaller and lighter and charge faster rather than super long range. And really I don't see that happening with much significance till solid state is a reality.

[electron]

Does the 22” rim require air suspension?
If yes, that could also help by dropping the ride height while cruising

[adc]

Are the tires on the 22” rim radically different? I’m thinking in terms of rolling resistance.

[M2Cmtl]

Originally Posted by therealm3

Nah. ICE cars don't really have that range now unless we are talking hybrid with a large gas tank or hyper milers.

You are correct in that on the freeway the range is much less. In our current electric car I would say it is about 80% of the city range. So in this case 250-260 instead of 324. Which honestly is very acceptable. At that point you can fast charge to 75-80% range in the time it takes to eat a little something. And for 99% of drivers and use cases this is plenty.

I doubt we will see much more range designed into electric cars going forward unless it is a special long range edition or something. It's just not necessary. The technology will go into making the batteries smaller and lighter and charge faster rather than super long range. And really I don't see that happening with much significance till solid state is a reality.

Well lots of family cars get 500+ miles. My wife’s new Q7 gets a full 600 miles on the highway. Repeated that a few times last summer. But it doesn’t go to 60 in 4.4!

But I agree that we don’t need more battery range than that. Just make the charging faster and more convenient. It would actually be better to have the same range on a smaller and most importantly, lighter battery pack.

[Loco_iX]

Originally Posted by kid2010

It's really interesting that 22" wheel still got a slightly longer range than the 21". Anyone know why?

The answer I got from BMW is that the 22” “fit better” than the 21” and makes it more aerodynamic…

[therealm3]

Originally Posted by M2Cmtl

Well lots of family cars get 500+ miles. My wife’s new Q7 gets a full 600 miles on the highway. Repeated that a few times last summer. But it doesn’t go to 60 in 4.4!

But I agree that we don’t need more battery range than that. Just make the charging faster and more convenient. It would actually be better to have the same range on a smaller and most importantly, lighter battery pack.

Originally Posted by M2Cmtl

But I agree that we don't need more battery range than that. Just make the charging faster and more convenient. It would actually be better to have the same range on a smaller and most importantly, lighter battery pack.

Exactly. Once the batteries are smaller and lighter,then we will really see progress and have some cars with good driving dynamics.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by kid2010

It's really interesting that 22" wheel still got a slightly longer range than the 21". Anyone know why?

Aero covers maybe?

[DBV1]

Originally Posted by stylinexpat

Once we see 450-500 mile range then these can be considered otherwise 200+ miles is not so good. At highway speeds of 80 MPH with music and AC on this will barely be over 200 miles. If battery is 80% charged then most likely even quite a bit less. Not quite so good. Maybe after 1-2 years from now.

Totally agree with your thoughts. Range on BMW EV’s need to get much better to be taken seriously, unless you just are always driving around town.

I drive my 2021 BMW 530xi hard. On the Ohio turnpike regularly going 80 to 95 mph and I still get great mileage from hit. 500 to 600 miles a tank. Also drive our X5D hard too and that thing is a mileage beast on trips.

[BimmerBahn]

Originally Posted by therealm3

Nah. ICE cars don't really have that range now unless we are talking hybrid with a large gas tank or hyper milers.

LOL…. I loved my F10 535d….700 miles on a tank. It was great cruising between VA and FL. Too bad about Dieselgate. I’d still love to have an M550d