BMW has confirmed that the electric range for its new electric SUV flagship – the iX – will top out at 521 kilometres in Canada, while the entry level i4 will cover a maximum of 484 km on a full charge.
The i4, BMW’s electric equivalent to the 4 Series, was introduced conceptually in March 2020 before its debut in June last year. The Bavarian brand estimated at the time that the single electric motor on the eDrive 40 would produce up to 475 km of range, while the dual motors on the 536 hp M50 would go up to 385 km on a full charge.
BMW iX M60
The iX M50 meanwhile, also launched last summer as an alternative to the ICE X7, was also estimated to travel up to 475 km. The confirmed figures thus represent 13 per cent and 10 per cent improvements over initial estimates.
“We always try to be conservative with our data and figures at BMW, especially when it comes to early estimates,” BMW Group Canada’s Andrew Scott explains in an official statement. “To be able to confirm significant increases with the official range figures is fantastic news.”
Confirmed ranges though vary depending on trim and powertrain options. The stated 484 km, for example, addresses the lower spec, rear-wheel drive i4 eDrive40 on 18-inch wheels, a hike of 30 km compared with the 19-inch alternatives. The more dynamic, all-wheel drive M50 meanwhile covers either 435 km or 365 km when the 19-inch and 20-inch wheels are fitted.
BMW i4M50
While the xDrive40 and M60 options for the iX meanwhile remain estimated at 322 km and 450 km respectively, BMW Canada has confirmed that, on 20-inch wheels, the iX xDrive50, which utilizes an all-wheel drive dual motor powertrain capable of producing 516 hp, will run 521 km, 30 km more than the 21-inch options will manage. Interestingly, on 22s, the e-SUV could cover up to 507 km, up to 16 km more than on 21-inch wheels.
The iX xDrive50, i4 eDrive40 and i4 M50 xDrive are set to hit showrooms in Canada this February, with the more recently announced iX M60 and iX xDrive40 scheduled to arrive during the summer.
BMW X3 xDrive30e
In quieter news, BMW has also confirmed its X3 xDrive30e plug-in hybrid will be dropped for 2022, just two years after its arrival. With plans to bring the all-electric iX3 to the United States having also been cancelled, this means BMW’s entry-level SUV currently features no electrified option for North American customers.
