BMW reveals iX and i4 electric cars for Australia

The German car making giant has revealed its next generation machines, which will change its Australian line-up forever.

BMW has revealed its new Tesla fighter.

The German brand is starting to ramp up its assault on the electric vehicle market with the launch of two all-new models the i4 coupe and iX SUV.

Australians will get to sample the iX SUV from November this year when BMW launches a three-tier range: the iX 40, iX 40 Sport and iX 50 Sport.

The BMW iX is due to go on sale in Australia in November.

Prices start at $135,900 (plus on-roads) for the base iX 40, which is about $10,000 more than the rival base Audi e-tron electric SUV.

The iX 40 Sport is priced from $141,900 and the iX 50 will set back buyers $169,900.

Electric motors combined for 240kW/630Nm in the iX 40 models and a beefy 385kW/765Nm in the iX 50 version.

A mass of screens give the iX a hi-tech feel.

BMW claims the iX 40 can sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in 6.1 seconds and the iX 50 can hit that speed in a rapid 4.6 seconds.

iX 40 versions are fitted with a 77kWh battery that provides a driving range of up to 425km. The iX 50 variant gets a large 112kWh battery pack that allows for up to 630km of driving range.

Fast charging can add up to 150km of range in 10 minutes.

The iX40 models can receive a maximum 150kW charge, which can add 95km of range in 10 minutes and top-up the batteries from 10 to 80 per cent in 35 minutes.

Top-spec iX 50’s bigger battery can accept up to 200kWh of charge, which means it can add 150km of range in 10 minutes and its batteries can go from 10 to 80 per cent charge in 31 minutes.

Electric cars automatically slow up the speed of charging for the last 20 per cent so the battery doesn’t overheat.

Prices start at more than $140,000 drive-away for the iX.

The base iX 40 comes with plenty of standard goodies such as 21-inch alloy wheels, heated and massaging front leather seats, premium Harman Kardon stereo, ambient lighting and plenty of infotainment tech.

Higher-spec versions get larger 22-inch alloy wheels, sporty styling highlights, panoramic sunroof among other items.

All iX models also come with a free five year subscription to the Chargefox network of fast chargers.

The BMW i4 will join the local line-up early in 2022.

BMW also revealed details for the new i4 Coupe, which is due to arrive in the first quarter of 2022.

Headlining the range is the all-wheel drive i4 M50, which is the first M-badged electric car, and it brings some serious performance with its electric motors pumping out 400kW and 795Nm. This enables it to go from 0-100km.h in 3.9 seconds.

It will be the brand’s first M-badged vehicle.

It can accept a maximum of 200kWh charge and can replenish 140km in 10 minutes.

The i4 M50 will be joined by an i4 40 version, which will be rear-wheel drive and have outputs of 250kW/430Nm and a driving range of up to 590km.

Originally published as BMW reveals iX and i4 electric cars for Australia