BMW iX: this is how the electric SUV is "trained" before reaching the market

Although there is still almost a year until its unveiling, the BMW iX is already “training” in the demanding winter conditions found this time of year in northern Scandinavia.

For the occasion, as is customary, the manufacturers camouflage their test prototypes, although BMW already revealed the definitive exterior design of the iX at the #NextGen 2020 event held in Munich. A design that, in turn, previewed in prototype form the BMW Vision iNEXT.

More than 500 CV, more than 600 km of range

Alongside this presentation, some official figures were also unveiled. We still do not know the dimensions, except for the wheelbase (3 metres) and the aerodynamic coefficient, with a surprising Cx of 0.25. For now, we are talking about a power output above 500 CV, under 5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, and a large battery of over 100 kWh capacity, which will allow it to exceed the 600 km of homologated range.

By the time the BMW iX reaches dealerships at the end of 2021, more models may have joined the list. For the moment, only two electric cars sold in our market exceed 600 km of range: the Tesla Model S and the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

And to ensure that everything works correctly, winter tests at low temperatures are an important part of the development and validation programme for new electric cars. That is why BMW is at the North Cape, where tests are carried out at sub-zero temperatures to assess the performance of the electric motors, all-wheel drive, the high-voltage system and battery performance.

This is not the first time the fifth generation of eDrive technology has been put to the test in conditions like these. BMW has already shown us images of its cars driving here on other occasions. Going further back, last year we saw the BMW iX3, the i4 and the iNEXT subjected to the rigour of these winter tests.

Snow and ice, as well as specially designed tracks on frozen lakes, together with low temperatures, are the ideal setting for fine-tuning all systems and verifying possible malfunctions.

In the case of the BMW iX, BMW also pays attention to the operation of the battery charging system in adverse weather conditions and low temperatures, as well as to intelligent all-wheel drive, which in the iX must ensure not only stability and traction, but also low consumption to improve efficiency.

BMW aims to homologate an average combined consumption in the WLTP cycle of less than 21 kWh per 100 km, which would allow it to exceed the aforementioned range figure of 600 km.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverBMW iX3 versions · from 88,700 €