Imagine pulling up at a red light beside an M-badged Bimmer. You get excited and roll down the window to hear the glorious rumble from its engine. But to your shock, you don't hear anything! The light turns green and the M zips past a mortified you. Sounds like an "ICE" nightmare right? Well, it's kinda true with the beefed-up BMW iX M60 - the first-ever M-badged electric crossover.
One thing's for sure, the iX M60 has a despicable design language. We get that the shift to EV is more than just slapping on batteries and motors. But come on! BMW has to have gone cuckoo with their new design language. It's like they are obsessed with beaver teeth! Criticism aside, the iX M60 is a bold new step for BMW as it is the start of electrified M performance among SUVs.
And on paper, it sure looks eye-popping. 610 HP and 0-60 MPH in under 4 seconds (that's sports car territory) can put a big wide grin on your face, even in silence. Colossal torque figures make us forget the fact that this all-electric performance BMW weighs in staggeringly close to 6000 pounds. Currently, the iX M60 remains a unicorn and untouched as its closest competitor is the Audi e-tron S which is short on 200 HP!
The 2023 BMW iX M60 is the prologue to the all-electric crossover "M" Future.
Most Powerful Electric Crossover From BMW
Right off the bat, the 2023 BMW iX M60 happens to be the most powerful EV crossover from the German automaker. Technically it uses the same 111.5 kWh battery pack seen in the top-spec BMW iX but has been given electrical supplements to churn out 610 HP and a mind-boggling 811 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a standard AWD and has a motor strapped to each axle.
This also gives the silent M a 0-60 MPH time of just 3.6 seconds. For obvious reasons, the top speed is capped at 155 MPH. The extra squeeze of performance robs it off of driving range, with 280 miles on a full charge, as opposed to the estimated 300 miles that the standard iX promises.
Adaptive Air Suspension Promises Magical Dynamics
This is the first M car to be based on BMW's future-ready modular platform. While most of its underpinnings are related to the standard iX, driving dynamics is where the M60 comes into the spotlight. It packs a double-wishbone front suspension layout and a 5-link rear axle. It also comes with standard M-treated adaptive dual-axle air suspension with electronic shock absorbers. This translates to increased cornering stability and straight-line confidence.
Electric rear-wheel steering paves for inclusive handling characteristics. All these electronically controlled gizmos provide in-depth modifications when changing drive modes for a more inclusive driving experience. You will feel the steering and suspension stiffening up in Sports mode and also doubt of this Bimmer being an M with is the comfy ride in Comfort mode.
Tech-Savvy Interior Is Unchanged From The Standard iX
BMW has not glorified the interior with "M" goodies, and is mostly carried over from the standard BMW iX. Subtle changes are confined to the upholstery options where you get five color choices - Mocha, Black, Amido, and Castanea Chestnut.
The upholstery material can be picked between SensaTex faux leather or perforated cowhide. Top-spec features are standard in the iX M60 with the dashboard being adorned with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a bigger 12.9-inch infotainment screen stacked together in one continuous floating glass slab. It gets highlighted with brushed aluminum accents and classic BMW bits like crystal shift knob and Drive controller.
Ironically, we couldn't find any "M" badging in the interior press images. Technology features are a strong point for the 2023 iX M60 with the cabin getting standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional. It also packs BMW Natural Interaction that gives the driver speech and gesture controls for various functions. Heated and ventilated seats are also standard.
M -Treatment Makes It Look Cool But Still Has A Beaver Face
Yes, we are not a fan of the BMW iX's face. But the M-treatment tries to punch in a bit of sportiness to the controversial design language. It comes with cooler 21-inch wheels that are backdropped with blue-painted M calipers. BMW offers seven vibrant exterior colors that include Alpine White, Dark Graphite, Phytonic Blue, Blue Ridge Mountain, Storm Bay, Oxide Grey, and Aventurin Red.
But the coolest exterior treatment has to be the optional Titanium Bronze accent package. Subtle inserts on the exterior are painted in this desirable shade, including the "M" logo. Adding the optional 22-inch aero wheels with an exclusive Titanium bronze design will surely add to its unique appeal. Everything else is taken right off the standard iX.
2023 BMW iX M60: Pricing And Launch Date
The 2022 BMW iX M60 has an MSRP of $105,000 making it the priciest electric SUV from BMW. For oodles of torque and subtle M drama it puts on the table, this unicorn is surely worth the premium of $21,800 over the standard AWD iX. The iX M60 will launch in the US in June 2022.
Sources: Press.bmwgroup,com