The BMW iX M60 is the second electric vehicle modified by BMW Motorsport. Following in the footsteps of the i4 M50, the BMW iX M60 is the top electric car from Munich for the time being. BMW welcomed us to Berlin, Germany, to spend a couple of days with the M-tuned electric crossover to highlight its performance and agility. Until recently, the BMW iX xDrive50 was the only iX model available in the United States, but consumers will soon have another option.
$20,000 iX 50 is more expensive.
The BMW iX M60 costs $106,095, which is much pricier than the iX xDrive50, which costs $83,200. But what do you receive in exchange for your increased cash? Adaptive Air Suspension is standard on the iX M60, although it’s an available extra on the xDrive50. The BMW iX M60 also comes standard with 21-inch wheels. Gesture Control and the Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system are standard features on the M60 but not on the xDrive50.
What you get for your more cash with the iX M60 is more power and performance. Both vehicles employ two electric motors, one at each axle, and the same battery pack, however the iX M60 is significantly more powerful. The base BMW iX xDrive50 produces 516 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque, while the M60 produces 610 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque. When the iX M60 is driven in the Personal and Efficiency modes, the power supply is lowered to a maximum of 532 hp (397 k) and 749 lb-ft (1,015 Nm). According to BMW, the iX xDrive50 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, which is much slower than the M60’s time of 3.6 seconds. So, if you want speed, the BMW iX M60 offers it like a true M vehicle.
More Torque To The Rear
But how did BMW increase the power of its fifth-generation eDrive? The solution is straightforward: transfer additional electrons from the battery to the back wheels. While it may seem to be simple on paper, the reality is somewhat different. The M engineers concentrated primarily on the performance of the rear motor on the BMW iX M60, which is 0.8 inch (20 mm) longer than on the iX xDrive50. As a result, there is more copper in the rotor to accommodate the additional electrons.
The inverter was the next source of power enhancement. The motors in the iX 50 have a maximum amperage of 600 amps, whereas the double-inverter in the iX M60 has a maximum amperage of 1200 amps. As a consequence, the rear motor produces 483 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in sport mode with launch control. BMW engineers informed me that the front/rear bias in the iX M60 has shifted from 46/54 (iX 50) to 36/64. The top speed of the M-tuned iX is increased from 124 to 155 mph (with optional high-performance tires) or 130 mph on all-season tires. The highest torque is rated at 15,400 revolutions per minute.
All of that extra power comes at a cost. The BMW iX M60 has a range of 280 miles, compared to 324 EPA-rated miles for the ix Drive50. Thirty miles may not seem like much, but it may add up if you don’t often recharge the battery. It’s also worth noting that the 280-mile range is with 21-inch wheels, and BMW hasn’t provided a number for the optional 22-inch wheels.
The battery pack is the same as in the iX 50, with a net capacity of 106.3 kWh and a gross capacity of 111.5 kWh. The battery of the iX M60 can take up to 195 kW of DC fast charging and 220 kW of regenerative braking. However, snack charging is also crucial. Thus, 10 minutes of rapid charging provides around 93 miles (150 km) of range.
Automobiles with M-tuned but lower-than-usual M performance
The greater price tag necessitates more /M input. As with other M-tuned vehicles, the BMW iX M60 receives M performance driving applications such as steering, suspension, increased stability, and a custom ECU tune. The anti-roll bars are also M60-specific. They are strengthened by 10% and 20% in the front and back, respectively. The iX M60’s air suspension follows a distinct technological concept. BMW suspension engineers often begin with comfort and work their way up to sport. That tactic, however, was inverted in the top electric crossover.
The development team sought to make the iX M60 a much more aggressive and sportier ride than the iX 50 or 40, so they increased the suspension settings.
And this is especially visible at high speeds or while jogging on uneven ground that become rather bouncing.
Again, if the road is not smooth enough, the M sport suspension will be felt much more than in the other iX versions. Of course, the air suspension height is self-leveling, and each corner is adaptable, allowing it to compensate for unequal loads.
However, like with other BMWs with air suspension, the height may be manually altered if desired. Sportier electronic dampers make the large iX M60 move better and, as usual, can be changed through BMW’s standard array of driving settings.
Visually, there’s little difference between the iX variants, which is typical of M Performance vehicles. The 22′′ black wheels, optional Titanium Bronze finish, huge blue brake calipers, and 20 mm expanded rotors distinguish the iX M60 from the basic variants. The “M60” insignia is likewise matte black with Titanium Bronze accent. The M Sport Package comes standard on the iX M60, as predicted. The front bumper, though, seems to be the same, with the same grille and front air intakes. There are no M-style side mirrors on the iX, which is likely owing to the normal mirrors giving superior aerodynamics.
Expect little modifications to the inside of the regular iX. The colors, the seats, and the design are all the same. Inside, the BMW iX M60, although being a M Performance variant, is practically indistinguishable from its basic siblings. However, the basic iX has the nicest cabin of any BMW, so most M60 consumers will be satisfied. Impressive Straight Line Performance
The BMW iX xDrive50 electric SUV was already quick and competent. However, the iX M60 takes those capabilities to a whole new level. The M-lite iX accelerates quickly and linearly, achieving peak speed quickly. Our GPS test revealed a 3.6-second sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h). However, maximum Autobahn speeds come at a cost. At speeds exceeding 124 mph (200 km/h), the instrument cluster shows the battery diminishing around 1 mile every 9-10 seconds.
There weren’t many chances to push the iX M60 through tight turns, but when they did, the top crossover produced a controlled and balanced ride with some excitement from the rear-biased powertrain. Despite its large curb weight of 5,770 lbs (2,617 kg), the chassis seems firmer than the iX 50, with significantly less body roll. Naturally, the steering is more engaging in SPORT mode, but somewhat numb in COMFORT. And that’s not a terrible thing since I spent the most of my day driving about Berlin, which is both bustling and lovely.
BMW performed an excellent job of limiting interior noise to a minimum, resulting in a calm ride even at high speeds. If you want some noises in your life, Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer has you covered, as the iX M60 comes with the newest IconicSounds bundle. When it comes to sound, the Bowers & Wilkins – with 30 speakers and 4D sound – is a masterpiece of engineering.
The Augmented Reality technology is particularly fun to use within city centers, owing to the iDrive 8 infotainment system, and the 360-degree camera system and driver assistance capabilities are among the finest available in a BMW today.
Of course, the iX’s adaptive regenerative braking mode should not be overlooked. The regen feature makes use of sensors, cameras, and GPS data to help you recover the most energy in the shortest amount of time. The adaptive mode is exactly as excellent as it is in the i4 M50, and although the one-pedal B mode may appeal to diehard electric vehicle users, I prefer the former in the iX.
Is M Good Enough?
Some of BMW’s newer M Performance vehicles, such as the M240i and M550i, are as excellent as, if not better than, prior generation full-on M vehicles. The BMW iX M60, on the other hand, is a different story. The top electric crossover feels more like the iX 50 than an iXM. Sure, you get 100 extra horsepower and a few other M tricks, but you’re unlikely to use them very frequently. Instead, get the BMW iX M60 if you just want the quickest and most costly electric BMW on the market today.
