BMW iX Electric SUV Prototype Released Tonight
The new BMW iX electric SUV prototype, also known as iNEXT, features significant changes to the industrial design compared to previous models from the BMW family. The front uses an enclosed “tooth” grille, while the center console features curved dual displays. The interior buttons also have more of a “jewelry style,” and the interior design and color have changed to become more artistic and home-like, departing from the previous conservative style. The overall design language is modern and luxurious.
For the “electric” aspect, the iX is equipped with BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive electric powertrain system. The main parameters of the vehicle are as follows:
- Dual motors, 503 horsepower
- Electricity consumption of less than 21 degrees per 100 kilometers
- WLTP range of over 600 kilometers
- 0-100 km/h in less than 5 seconds
By calculating the electricity consumption and range, the battery capacity on the iX is likely to exceed 100 kWh.
On the electronic and electrical architecture, the iX is the first model from BMW Group to feature a 5G communication module. It also adopts BMW Group’s new generation of digital architecture and sensor system, which has data processing capabilities 20 times greater than current vehicles. Furthermore, following a fully digital concept, the iX reduces physical buttons inside the vehicle by 50%.
The BMW iX also introduces the “Shy Tech” concept of hidden and innovative technology, where various controls are cleverly integrated into the body and interior.
For example, the central armrest of the rear seat integrates a control panel with hidden functions and an iDrive knob that can be touched. The speakers for the sound system are cleverly hidden in the seats and door fabric decorations.
Regarding autonomous driving, the official promotional video mentions the “fusion of various data such as vision, lidar, and millimeter-wave radar,” indicating that the iX may be equipped with multiple perception sensors.
According to reports, BMW already has 14 million connected cars on the road worldwide, and with customers’ authorization, the BMW Group has collected around 150 million kilometers of data. BMW has also collected massive amounts of data from its autonomous driving test fleet and used AI technology to study the correlation of data, simulate complex scenarios in the real world, and develop the BMW iX, the next generation of autonomous driving and driver assistance systems.
Finally, the iX has similar length and width dimensions to the X5, and the vehicle’s drag coefficient is 0.25 Cd. The official price and further information have not yet been revealed.
Source: BMW official website
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.