A BMW iX driving on a road in Southwest Germany caused a crash with two other vehicles. This brought the question of whether or not the car was autonomous.
This BMW SUV is a fully-electric model, and it does come equipped with Level 2 ADAS, which is not fully autonomous in any country. BMW has since confirmed that the SUV in question was not a self-driving model. Some thought the SUV that caused the crash was a self-driving test vehicle, but that’s not the case.
Level 2 is the Highest Level with Driver Intervention
At SAE Level 2, drivers still must maintain control and alertness when it comes to operating a vehicle. The iX does come equipped with this level of safety to offer driver the chance to rest their feet while the vehicle handles acceleration and braking, but that doesn’t mean a driver can perform other tasks. They must still pay attention to the road and what the vehicle is doing. At no time has BMW advertised the iX as a car that can drive itself. This crash was an unfortunate event with the loss of at least one life.
What Does the iX Offer?
The BMW iX is a relatively new midsize SUV that is all-electric and gives you the BMW personality and feeling you want. This SUV has room for five people and features an oversized twin-kidney grille on the front, even though its not required for an EV. There are three interior design variations of this car, giving you leather, faux leather, or fabric on the seats, dashboard, door panels, and other areas of the car. This could be the right EV for you drive, despite the crash in Germany.
What are some of the Pros and Cons of this Electric SUV?
The iX offers you the following pros and cons:
Pros
- Sustainably sourced and built
- 516 horsepower, 564 lb-ft of torque
- Zero emissions
- 324-mile driving range
- 90 miles of range added with 10 minutes of charging
- First BMW with 5G capability
Cons
- Some people might not be ready for an EV
Yes, while it’s a bit cheeky, the only drawback to the new iX is that some people might not be ready to drive an EV. That’s fine, this BMW isn’t going anywhere, except down the road with your neighbor behind the wheel.
A Striking BMW to Drive
Take a walk around the BMW iX and let this SUV show you what it can bring for your time on the road. This is an SUV that looks great, it’s offered in a size that’s similar to the BMW X5, and it gives you the electric style you want. You’ll see thin LED headlights that are the thinnest this brand has ever used. You’ll also see thin LED taillights in the rear and the double-kidney grille up front that makes this SUV look completely BMW.
What Features are Found in the iX?
Currently, we only have one model of the BMW iX which is the xDrive50. Let’s see what this SUV has to offer for your drive.
Standard Features
- AWD
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Simulated leather upholstery
- 16-way power front seats
- LED cabin lighting
- Quad-zone automatic climate controls
- 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat
- Panoramic roof with electro-chromatic glass
- Dual-screen infotainment setup
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Four USB-C ports
- 18-speaker/655-watt Harman/Kardon sound system
- Forward-collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Pedestrian detection
- Rear cross-traffic alerts
- Evasive steering assistance
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Safe-exit warning
- Lane departure warning
- Rear-collision warning
- Front/rear parking sensors
- Parking Assistant
- Back-Up Assistant
Optional Features
- Laser light headlights
- 22-inch alloy wheels
- Leather upholstery
- Massaging front seats
- Wireless device charging
- Heated rear seats
- Head-up display
- Remote starter
- Bowes & Wilkins 30-speaker/1615-watt surround sound system
- Adaptive air suspension
- Rear-wheel steering
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keeping assistance
- 360-degree camera system
The Complete Electric SUV
We’ve already discussed the fact that the BMW iX is powered by a pair of electric motors that makes 516 horsepower to deliver 300 miles of driving for you. Charging time at home could take about eleven hours, but you can receive eighty percent of the charge in forty minutes when you’re on a road trip.
A Lot to Love About The iX
When you see this new SUV, you may not see it in the build, but sustainability has been factored into much of what this vehicle has to offer. The amazing horsepower number is achieved with zero emissions, which is incredible, but what you expect to find in an electric vehicle. You can receive up to 90 miles of driving range added to the vehicle distance with only ten minutes of charging.
Complexly Livable
The technology offered in the BMW iX is advanced and certainly further along than most other vehicles in the market today. This tech is called complex but livable, giving you a vehicle you can open with your smartphone and still load the rear with gear you’ll want when you drive. The “one-pedal driving” that was popular in the i3 is found in this SUV to give you an easy way to capture some of the energy from the braking system for more driving range.
When you look at the performance aspect of this SUV, you’ll love the way the two electric motors rocket you down the road. The intelligent AWD system is variable and gives you the grip you need when you need it. Everything about the iX is advanced, in harmony, and ready to bring you the luxury drive you’re after.
Will You Drive the BMW iX?
This new BMW electric SUV is an excellent choice when you’re searching for a great vehicle to drive every day. The iX is comfortable, practical, and fun on the road. If you’re living in an area with lots of charging stations, you’ll never feel the range anxiety that comes over some people when they get behind the wheel of an EV. Head over to your local BMW dealer and take the iX for a test drive today.
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