The new BMW iX M60 is the firm’s most powerful electric car, delivering 611bhp and 811lb ft of torque and achieving 0-62mph in 3.9sec.
It becomes BMW’s new electric flagship and, alongside the new BMW BMW i4 M50, marks a milestone in M’s 50-year history as the sub-brand moves into electrified cars.
Priced from £111,905 and arriving this summer, the iX M60 is the third variant of the BMW iX, which was launched last year. The entry-level iX xDrive40 offers 257 miles of range and the xDrive50 up to 380 miles, while this M60 has a 357-mile range, compromised by the extra power to make it deserving of the M badge.
It shaves 0.7sec off the xDrive50’s 0-62mph sprint time and also has a top speed of 155mph to differentiate it from its siblings.
The Tesla Model X and Audi E-tron S rival features electric all-wheel drive, an actuator-based wheel-slip limitation function and M-tuned dual-axle air suspension with automatic level control – all of which “ensure hallmark M driving experience, agility and precision”, BMW claims.
The firm has taken a different approach with its electric M cars by making them less visually distinct from their standard siblings and exploring new ways for them to stand out.
Johann Kistler, iX project director, said: “If you look at the M60, there’s not a great difference with the exterior [versus the iX] and there’s not such a great difference in acceleration because all electric cars have good acceleration so we have to look differently.
“But we want to offer a top-end powertrain and therefore we decided to make a small differentiation. If you look at the M5, it should have a different exterior to the four-cylinder [5 Series] so it’s really seen, but with BEVs, we’ve done a lot of finer differentiation, beginning with the sound.
“It has a different start-up sound, a different shutdown sound, different sounds while driving. There is also a different look and feel from displays and a different colour on the wheels to give the sense of a different, high-speed performance car.”
The M60 uses an aluminium spaceframe and a carbon cage with carbonfibre-reinforced plastic in the roof, side and rear sections, first used on the 2003 BMW M3 CSL.
The exterior gets blue M-branded brake calipers and M logos in the new gloss black and titanium bronze finish on the front, side panels and rear.
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Was there some reason for fitting rear doors that are not wide enough?
Ugly Car!