BMW Malaysia has updated its BMW iX line-up here in Malaysia with the addition of the new xDrive50 Sport variant, offering additional performance and range on the fully-electric SUV, but be prepared to pay a pretty penny.
Coming in at RM546,800 with Service and Repair Inclusive, the price tag makes the new variant some RM99k more expensive than the previously range-topping xDrive40 Sport, and RM143k over the base xDrive40 variant.
For that extra dough, you’ll be getting two much-more powerful motors, capable of generating a total of 385 kW (523 hp) and 765 Nm, or 197 hp and 135 Nm more than the xDrive40. That extra firepower from the xDrive50’s motors drops the iX’s 0-100 km/h sprint time by 1.5 seconds down to just 4.6 seconds, although top speed is still electronically limited to 200 km/h.
The more powerful motors are also paired to a much larger 111.5 kWh battery pack, translating to a fully-electric range of 630 km (WLTP test cycle). As before, charging is handled by an on-board 11 kW AC charger, taking 10 hours and 45 minutes for a full charge from 0%. DC fast charging is also supported at up to 195 kW (150 kW on the xDrive40), which means you’ll still be able to top up from 0-80% in roughly 35 minutes.
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Aside from the upgraded powertrain, however, it seems that the rest of the car’s equipment list is pretty much identical to that of the xDrive40 Sport.
On the outside, the new BMW iX xDrive50 comes equipped with the Sport Line exterior bodykit, which consists of the BMW Laserlight headlamps, 22-inch aerodynamic multi-colour wheels, and 17-inch brake calipers in blue.
Inside, the xDrive50 Sport also comes with a the BMW Curved Display with iDrive 8.0 as standard, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display and 14.9-inch central touchscreen display under a single pane of glass.
Other interior highlights include the Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof, 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, the real crystal glass switches and open-pore wood veneer on the centre console as part of the Clear & Bold interior trim package, as well as the Comfort Access powered tailgate.
The BMW Iconic Sounds Electric sound effect designed by Hans Zimmer is also standard on the iX xDrive50 Sport.
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As for safety, the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport comes as standard with the BMW Driving Assistant Professional package, which includes adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality, lane keep assist, evasion assistant, and automatic speed limit assist, in addition to the usual autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic warning and rear collision prevention, as well as lane departure warning.
BMW Parking Assistant is also standard here, with reversing assist, active park distance control, as well as a rear-view camera.
The BMW iX xDrive50 Sport will be available in seven exterior colours, including two new cost option: Individual Storm Bay Metallic, and Adventurine Red Metallic. Inside, buyers can opt between Mocha and Black upholstery, or the fancier Interior Design Suite in Amido or Castanea for an additional RM17,300.
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