The new BMW iX xDrive45 packs a brawnier 300 kW (408 hp) and whips from 0–100km/h in just 5.1 seconds. That’s one second quicker than its predecessor. Top speed is a neatly governed 200km/h.

More impressively, BMW has found a way to stretch the range up to a mighty 602km (WLTP-rated). A big thank you goes to its upgraded 94.8kWh battery and a clever new inverter.

Charging’s been turbocharged too. With the improved Combined Charging Unit, the iX now gulps juice at up to 175kW in DC mode and up to 22kW on AC.

BMW even throws in a complimentary wallbox installation for home use or up to 3 years of Shell Recharge access, 10,000kWh, to be exact. If you’re averaging 20kWh/100km, that’s about 50,000km of electricity on the house.

BMW calls the iX’s design language “monolithic.” And to be fair, it does look like a sculpted block of power that is sleek and solid.

Up front, there’s the signature kidney grille, now with a glowing trim they’ve poetically named “BMW Iconic Glow.” Adaptive LED headlights, revised bumpers, and smoother contours lend the iX a classically futuristic vibe, a rare oxymoron that actually works.

There’s also the M Sport package, just in case you want your electric SAV to look like it bench-presses Teslas before breakfast. It includes bigger air intakes, sharper body lines, and optional Shadow Line treatment that blacks out the trim for that “don’t-mess-with-me” aesthetic.

Inside, BMW’s gone full boutique hotel. There’s generous space, swathes of natural leather, ambient lighting, and tech so advanced it borders on sentient. The M Sport package adds bolstered seats, an M steering wheel, and dark silver trim to remind you this isn’t just a plush lounge on wheels.

And while we’re talking about driver engagement, the iX is no slouch when it comes to automated features. There’s Parking Assistant Plus, a reversing assistant, and even an option to control your car with your smartphone for parking.

BMW’s latest iDrive system runs on Operating System 8.5 and comes with goodies like in-car gaming, video streaming, and the ability to plan routes with your preferred charging stations. Oh, and you can now use your smartphone or smartwatch as a digital key.

There’s even 5G connectivity built-in, just in case you need to download a movie or an entire season while waiting at a charger.

The iX xDrive45 Sport starts at S$451,888, while the M Sport variant will set you back S$473,888.

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BMW recently invited me to Buriram to attend the Asia Driving Challenge 2023. It was an action-packed day filled with non-stop automotive joy, being able to experience a myriad of BMW cars on and off track. If you haven’t seen it already, check out my thoughts here.

However, one particular station stood out to me, so unorthodox that it was frankly genius. I’m of course referring to the Dirt Gymkhana station featuring the BMW iX.

Now, I know what you might be thinking – putting a hefty SUV, the kind that’s more accustomed to navigating school drop-offs than daredevil courses, through a Gymkhana challenge seems like a bold and crazy move. With tight twists and even a daring U-turn, it’s almost as if the iX was designed for everything but this.

And then, there’s the lightning-quick torque electric vehicles are known for. It’s no secret that such instant power can either be a blessing or a curse in low-grip situations. Unlike the gradual response of internal combustion engines, EVs tend to be all or nothing.

But the BMW iX rocked up to the challenge confident as it could be, and absolutely demolished it.

A secret to the iX’s triumph is undoubtedly its dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, complemented by its all-wheel steering. This is the xDrive40i variant after all.

Picture this: an opulent SUV darting through tight corners with the grace of a ballerina. The agility it demonstrated on that narrow, twisty circuit was almost unreal. With all its technological prowess, the iX pulled off a performance that could give even a Subaru WRX a run for its money on the dirt.

Now, here’s where the magic happens. While the WRX might twist and turn like a contortionist, the iX remains solid as a rock, unfazed by the undulations and rough terrain. Despite the worrying rattles and creaks heard on the outside, the iX was undeterred and rock-steady throughout the course. In fact, it easily cleared it six times.

But, like any star, the iX has its quirks. Especially when it’s strutting its stuff on terrain it’s not exactly familiar with. The steering feels feather-light and a touch vague, an aspect that’s amplified on the bumpy and sandy surface. A weightier steering feel would have helped in this regard, but even in Sport, the steering was still far too light.

But what about that U-turn bit? Due to the road-biased Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres, flooring the pedal during the near 360-degree turn resulted in bouts of understeer, only giving in when the front tyres finally gripped the ground.

My first run was way off course, which was where I adopted a new method of getting round that pesky part of track. Since EVs have instant torque ready as soon as you mash the throttle, it was a case of mashing the throttle momentarily in rapid succession. This caused the iX to dig into the ground, and turn its nose ever so slightly more with each throttle press, resulting in a quicker manoeuvre. I shared this technique with James Wong (Oneshift) too, and we both saw our lap times drop quite considerably.

I have to admit, this experience offered a glimpse into the iX’s BMW DNA like never before, and I loved it. So the next time someone asks you if the iX can go offroad, you know what your answer will be.

Hats off to you, BMW, for turning the unexpected into a whole lot of exhilarating fun.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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