iX TO THE POWER OF M (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The ultimate BMW iX is this one, the iX M60. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at what's on offer.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 57

BMW has brought the expertise of its M division to bear upon its iX luxury EV and the result is this fearsomely fast iX M60. M technology adds a race-ready feel to this already uber-sophisticated large Crossover - and it gets the highest possible standard of iX trim - as you'd want from the three-figure asking price.

Backgroundword count: 68

Thought the BMW iX was over the top? Wait till you check out the iX M60: 619hp, 1,100Nm of pulling power punch and 62mph in 2.9s. Whoever said EVs were boring. Wild large luxury EVs aren't anything new of course. We've already had the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S and the Tesla Model X Plaid. Planet-hugging race-ready lottery winners will be pleased to have a third alternative.

Driving Experienceword count: 231

Various lottery winner-level luxury EVs are offered in extreme performance forms and of course BMW was never going to resist the urge to follow that trend. So the summit of the iX range is marked by this M60 version, which uses the same 105.2kWh battery as the '50'-series model but mates it with an even more powerful 619hp electric motor total output, delivered with up to 1,100Nm of torque. The range reading - 357 miles - is still acceptable and 62mph flashes by in just 3.8s on the way to an electronically limited maximum of 155mph. On the move, the ride quality on offer from the 5-link rear axle is difficult to better in the class and embellished here by BMW's 2-axle air suspension set-up, which comes with electronically controlled dampers and is mated to active rear wheel steering. As in any iX, the driver can choose 'High', 'Moderate' or 'Low' Brake Energy Regeneration settings - or leave the system to do its own thing in 'Adaptive'. There are three 'My Mode' drive settings - 'Personal', 'Sport' and 'Efficient'. And there's an 'IconicSounds Electric' artificial EV soundtrack, though we think after trying it, you'll prefer to turn that off and savour this BMW's astonishing refinement. This EV even handles quite a lot like an M-tuned BMW should, the stiff chassis admirably resisting body lean and the electromechanical steering providing accurate feedback.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227