The most exacting environmental compatibility requirements have been put in place throughout the value chain and for the full life cycle of the BMW iX.

The iX is currently in the final phase of its series development. At its market launch in end 2021, customers will be able to choose from two model variants, the iX xDrive50 and iX xDrive40. The iX redefines the successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept. It is the first model based on a new, modular, scalable toolkit on which the future of the BMW Group will be built.

The development and production of the iX follow an all-encompassing approach to sustainability involving compliance with strict environmental and social standards in the extraction of raw materials, plus the use of electricity from renewable sources and a high proportion of recycled materials in the mix.

The BMW Group procures the cobalt and lithium required for the high-voltage batteries from controlled sources in Australia and Morocco, before supplying them to the battery cell manufacturers. As in the production of the overall vehicle at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, the battery cells are manufactured using exclusively green power from certified sources.

Since February 2021, BMW has brought in aluminium manufactured using electricity from solar energy plants. The importance placed on conserving resources in the production of the iX is highlighted by the high proportion of secondary aluminium and recycled plastic used. The iX's interior features FSC-certified wood, leather tanned with olive leaf extracts and other natural materials.

Added to which, the electric motors for the iX are marked out by a design which enables the use of rare earths to be avoided. They work according to the principle of a current-excited synchronous motor. The excitation of the rotor in the iX motors is not induced by fixed permanent magnets, but the feed-in of electric energy.

This special design also has a positive effect on the motors' performance characteristics. The precisely controlled excitation of the rotor using electric power enables peak torque to be on tap in full immediately on pulling away.

And - unlike with electric motors of conventional design - that torque is maintained over an extremely broad rev band. The defining trait of the driving experience on board the iX is, then, power development that is not only lightning fast but also unusually consistent, underscoring the car's brand-typical sporting excellence.

In the iX xDrive50, the drive system - which features one electric motor on the front axle and another at the rear axle - produces total output of over 493bhp and enables acceleration of zero to 100km/h in under five seconds. The iX xDrive40 has an output of more than 296bhp, allowing it to sprint from zero to 100km/h in a shade over six seconds.

The electric motor, transmission and power electronics of the iX come together as a highly integrated package within a single housing. This compact construction also benefits the drive system's efficiency. Further boosted by optimised aerodynamics and intelligent lightweight design, the iX posts standout efficiency for its segment.

The result is average electric power consumption of less than 21kWh/100km for the BMW iX xDrive50 and under 20kWh/100km in the case of the BMW iX xDrive40.

Like the electric motors, power electronics and charging technology for the iX, its high-voltage batteries are also the product of fifth generation BMW eDrive technology. They are positioned low down in the vehicle floor as an integral component of the body. The gravimetric energy density of the lithium-ion batteries has been increased by around 20% again over the previous generation battery.

The battery cells are manufactured according to precise specifications from the BMW Group and integrated into model-specific high-voltage batteries. The iX xDrive50 is fitted with a battery with a gross energy content of over 100kWh, while the iX xDrive40's battery has a gross energy content of more than 70kWh. This gives the iX xDrive50 a range in excess of 600km, while the range of the iX xDrive40 is more than 400km.

The new charging technology of the iX enables Direct Current (DC) fast charging with extremely high charging power. The iX xDrive50 can replenish its battery at up to 200kW and up to 150kW for the iX xDrive40. All of which means that a ten-minute plug-in time provides sufficient energy to add more than 90 - 120km of range. In both model variants, the battery's charge can be increased from 10% to 80% in under 40 minutes.

The BMW iX is leading the way for a future generation of cars with which BMW is redefining sustainability, driving pleasure and what it means to be premium. The clear and minimalist design of its exterior showcases a new form of mobility geared squarely to the needs of the vehicle's occupants, while the interior offers passengers innovative options for using the time during a journey.