BMW is advancing its electric vehicle offerings with the launch of the iX4 SUV, a sporty evolution of the iX3, equipped with an impressive range thanks to its Gen6 battery. This new vehicle underscores BMW’s strategy to combat the increasing influx of Chinese electric vehicles into the European market.
New Release and Features
The iX4 is a recent addition to BMW’s Neue Klasse vehicle lineup, joining models like the iX3 and i3. It will make its debut as the iX4 50 xDrive in March 2027, with the M60 xDrive, a higher-performance version, to follow later in the year. BMW is utilising this series to counter the competitive pressure from Chinese imports, although the affordability of these new models remains uncertain compared to their Chinese counterparts.
The iX4 50 xDrive has a starting price of $66,200 (excluding additional fees) and maintains signature features of the Neue Klasse range. Its Gen6 battery offers 112.2kWh of usable energy, utilises an 800-volt system for rapid charging, and delivers up to 428 miles of range as per EPA standards. This places it ahead of the globally top-selling Tesla Model Y in terms of range.
Performance and Efficiency
BMW emphasises that range, efficiency, and performance are central to the appeal of the iX4. The 50 xDrive model boasts 463 horsepower and 475lb-ft of torque, reaching 0–60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. The M60 xDrive model enhances this with 603 horsepower and 645lb-ft of torque, achieving the same acceleration in 3.7 seconds.
The vehicle’s electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) on the rear axle operates without permanent magnets, which helps reduce energy losses by 40% and overall weight by 10%. This is managed by an inverter converting the battery’s direct current to the alternating current needed by the motor, ensuring optimal efficiency.
Advanced Battery and Charging Technology
BMW’s Gen6 batteries utilise cylindrical lithium-ion cells, offering a 20% increase in energy density over the previous generation. The design incorporates the battery housing as part of the vehicle’s underbody to decrease weight and boost structural rigidity. The iX4’s 800V architecture enables impressive fast-charging capabilities, allowing up to 184 miles of range to be added in just 10 minutes and a 10–80% charge achieved in 21 minutes via a NACS charging port compatible with over 80,000 Tesla Superchargers worldwide.
Technological Innovations
The iX4 features BMW’s Panoramic iDrive infotainment system, replacing conventional dashboard gauges with a full-width windshield projection. A 17.9-inch touchscreen offers customisable widgets for a personalised driving experience. The vehicle also supports bidirectional charging, an automatic charging flap, and Plug & Charge technology, providing seamless integration with multiple charging networks.
Market Position and Variety
Despite the competitive price challenges posed by Tesla’s Model Y, the iX4 offers a wider variety of options within the BMW lineup, including the sporty M60 xDrive and other models like the i3 and iX3. The strategy appears to broaden customer choice considerably as BMW continues to expand its electric vehicle offerings with anticipated developments in 2027.
Reporting based on coverage first published by theverge.com.