BMW has unveiled the third, and most powerful, variant of its all-electric iX SUV, the iX M60, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Sitting above the 516-horsepower iX xDrive 50, the new M60 produces a rampant 619 hp and just under 749 lb-ft of torque via the same fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, albeit with a twist: electric motors power both the front and rear axles, but the rear example is M-specific for added bite.
BMW iX M60
When launch control is activated, peak torque rises to 811 lb-ft, meaning the M60 is capable of 0-to-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, 50 km/h faster than the M50. Unsurprisingly, the Tesla Model X will be firmly in BMW’s crosshairs when the iX M60 is launched in June.
At its heart lies BMW’s aluminum spaceframe, into which the high-voltage battery is sandwiched. While BMW has not specified the output, it’s likely the M60 will use the same 71 kWh battery as the M50. Alongside the additional power, further tweaks from BMW’s M division include M-specific settings for the car’s air suspension to sharpen the handling, bespoke anti-roll bars, a more dynamic brake system, and “21-inch aerodynamic wheels” as standard. Large portions of the roof, side and rear panels meanwhile, plus the ‘carbon cage’, have been built with carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), a blend that first appeared on the BMW M3 CSL back in 2003, and helps offset the EV’s weight with heightened body rigidity.
BMW iX M60
Surprisingly, despite the additional performance and dynamic tweaks, BMW estimates a 566 km range for the M60 based on the latest WLTP test cycle, just 37 km less than the xDrive 50. When equipped with the latest 111.5 kWh battery, BMW even speculates that the M60’s range could go up further to 575 km.
BMW iX M60
Stylistic features on the exterior such as blue M-branded brake calipers, Titanium Bronze accents across the kidney grilles and M badges differentiate the M60 from its iX counterparts. This continues on the inside, with more equipment – including soft-close doors, Suite Natural leather upholstery, and Parking Assist Plus package among others – available as standard.
North American pricing for the iX M60 has not been revealed, though BMW says the M60 will be manufactured at the brand’s Dingolfing facility in Germany.
