There are 3 versions of the BMW iX that you can buy in Malaysia and the range-topping (Non-M) version of it is the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport. It will cost you RM546,800 to own one while the EV tax exemptions are still in place. While the iX’s design has been controversial upon its launch, it has been the main contributor to BMW’s EV sales in Malaysia in the past 8 months (1,700 EVs sold).
It sits above the iX xDrive40 Sport and beneath the iX M60. The “base” variant of the iX in Malaysia is the iX xDrive40. The RM546,800 price tag of the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is inclusive of BMW’s Extended Warranty & Service Package.
It’s not hard to recognize the BMW iX thanks to its bold design elements. Its large “grille” is hard to miss and since it isn’t based on any existing internal combustion engine (ICE) models, the iX has a distinctive design even among other BMW models.
On the outside, the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is equipped with the Sport Package, M Exterior Line “Titanium Bronze”, and the closed BMW kidney grille. Completing the look of the iX xDrive50 Sport is a set of 22-inch wheels which are the BMW 1021 wheels with a multicolour 3D finish. Peeking behind the wheels is a set of blue brake calipers.
Illuminating the way on the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is a set of BMW Laserlight headlights that also come with a high beam assistant. Also in the vicinity of the front end is the BMW badge which also functions as a cap for the wiper fluid (since you can’t easily open the hood).
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The door handles are an electric type with a flush design and the overall side profile has a clean look. An interesting design element on the iX is the belt line that gets a special “Titanium Bronze” finish – even the kidney grille and the trims on the wing mirrors get the same finish.
From the back, the iX xDrive50 Sport has a decent squatting stance. The tailgate includes the entire taillight cluster, so there’s an extra set of lights on the jamb of the trunk so you can remain visible with the trunk open.
Propellng the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) system that is more powerful than what you get in the iX xDrive40. The xDrive50 Sport’s two motors produce a combined output of 523 hp and 765 Nm (197 hp and 135 Nm more than the iX xDrive40). The iX xDrive 50 Sport is capable of a 4.6-second century sprint time and a top speed of 200 km/h (electronically limited).
With the more demanding drivetrain, the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is equipped with a beefier 111.5 kWh battery pack. This translates to a range of 630 km (WLTP) which is plenty for the average road trip in Malaysia.
To charge the battery, the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport can handle a maximum AC charging rate of 11 kW and a maximum DC charging rate of 195 kW. The former charges the car from 0 to 100% in 10 hours and 45 minutes while the latter charges the car from 0 to 80% in approximately 35 minutes.
RELATED: BMW iX – nearly 1,000 units sold in 2022, over 300 MINI Cooper SE
Inside, the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is equipped with the BMW Curved Display with iDrive 8.0 as standard. Part of that curved display is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display and another part is a 14.9-inch central touchscreen display – both under a single pane of glass. The BMW Iconic Sounds Electric sound effect designed by Hans Zimmer is also standard on the iX xDrive50 Sport.
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.
Safety-wise, the BMW iX xDrive 50 Sport is well equipped with the Driving Assistant Professional package. This includes steering and lane control assistant, automatic speed limit assistant, lane change assistant, active cruise control (with stop & go), lane keeping assistant, front cross-traffic alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Also equipped on the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport is the BMW Parking Assistant Plus package. This includes items like the reversing assistant, active park distance control (PDC), lateral parking aid, surround view system, remote view 3D, and parking drive-off monitoring.
RELATED: BMW iX xDrive50 Sport now available in Malaysia – more power at RM546,800
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