BMW iX M60 test: M as monstrous?

Electric models are easily spectacular. But here, with 619 hp and more than 1,000 Nm of torque, BMW is frankly strong for the M version of its 100% electric SUV iX. Technically close to the xDrive50 version, the M60 pushes the sliders even further to deserve its M badge. This one abandons the traditional colors of Bavarian sports cars in passing to adopt a wise mixture of black and bronze, which we find in the false XXL grille.

The set is elegant with the red Aventurin livery of our test model, well planted on its black 22-inch rims. A mount that perfectly meets the very generous dimensions of the SUV: 4.95 m long and nearly 2 m wide. In addition to the front engine taken from the iX xDrive50, the M version adopts a specific synchronous rear motor to increase the power to 619 hp. The vehicle thus gains almost a second from 0 to 100 km/h (3.8 s) and increases its maximum speed to 250 km/h. Enough to panic the counters.

Range and charging BMW iX M60

With maximum DC charging at 195 kW, BMW promises a very efficient charging curve to recover 150 km of autonomy in 10 minutes; 35 minutes will be enough in theory to return from 10 to 80% capacity. A performance when you know the large size of the battery (105.2 useful kWh). Obviously, with just 7.4 kW in AC, the time will seem much longer. Using such an accumulator, refueling will take 16 hours, while at home, on a household outlet, no less than 54 hours will be required.
If the battery is the same as the xDrive50 version, autonomy is logically down, with 561 km announced for the version stamped M instead of 630 km. On the consumption side, we were surprised by the big difference that the behemoth is capable of, between a remarkable 14 kWh / 100 km on the expressway at 80 km / h and an incomprehensible 27 kWh / 100 km (impossible to go below) in town. , without any beefy acceleration and in flowing traffic.

BMW iX M60 price

With a fixed price of €136,500, the iX M60 requires a big step up from the xDrive50: nearly €30,000. This differential is justified by the increase in performance, of course, but also by the leap displayed in terms of comfort, design and active safety equipment. All brings the difference down to just €4,000, according to calculations by BMW France. The general endowment is thus very complete, in particular for everything relating to the dynamic behavior of the car (see all the equipment on page 2).

Driving

Even playing frankly with the huge power offered, the all-wheel drive (one motor per axle) offers flawless traction… at least on the dry roads of our test. The grip of the 275 wide and 22 inch Pirelli P Zeros also contributes to overall efficiency. With the Launch Control, which releases all the potential torque of the car, the stopped starts are a little brutal at start-up. Still, the auto doesn’t stick to the seat as jaw-droppingly as the most radical Teslas.

Admittedly, the figures go up very quickly on the digital counter, until they flirt with the maximum speed (250 km/h) on the portions ofAutobahn without limits where we were able to test the potential of the vehicle. But the sensitivity to side winds does not encourage maintaining high speeds for too long, any more than the few twisty roads in the Berlin area are an invitation to attack. The approximately 2.6 t are felt, while the combined smoothness of the steering, the attack of the brake pedal without much feeling and active air suspensions with damping (what comfort!) naturally encourage a fast, yet smooth ride. The maximum recovery on foot lift is 220 kW, and the easiest way to take advantage of it is to switch to mode B.

The four-wheel steering contributes to the agility of this large SUV which, despite its size, is comfortable in Berlin urban traffic where our test begins. But we are far from the maneuvers imposed in some of our medieval town centers. Evolutions take place in royal silence, unless you prefer to accompany the accelerations of the Iconic Sound sound system. It’s fun for a while in Sport mode, but the artificial side like a spaceship is quickly boring and we appreciate the tranquility of the cabin more. Incidentally, it is also a pity that the Bower & Wilkins sound system did not prove to be more spectacular.

On board

Competetion

At such a level of performance, electric SUVs can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Audi is a step below with its strong e-tron S of 435 hp and 808 Nm, offered at just over 100,000 € at the top of the range. Its autonomy is also down with 371 km. On the Tesla side, the Model X Plaid offers even more spectacular performance than the Bavarian, with some 1,020 peak hp and a 0 to 100 km / h shot in 2.6 s thanks to its three motors. Reviewed in depth, the American is currently not available in France, and its price is not announced for our countries.
In reality, the competition is mainly to be found within the BMW range itself, with a less expensive xDrive50 and, no doubt, barely less efficient on a daily basis. For more sportiness, the future XM model (rechargeable hybrid of 650 hp) developed exclusively by the Motorsport department should, meanwhile, be more extreme.

Find the results of the test, the prices, the equipment and the technical sheet on the following page.