Some time ago we brought you to the channel the test of the BMW iX xDrive50, one of the most powerful versions of this 100% electric Premium SUV. A very high-performance car, with a large battery and a theoretical autonomy of 630 km. In addition, like the entire range, that iX was a clear example of all the technology that the Bavarian brand can apply to its cars, not to mention its excellent equipment and better finish commitment.
However, like everything in life, this exclusivity has a price and that is that this version has a starting cost of 105,000 euros, a lot of money, that this version that we bring today, that of the BMW iX xDrive40, in a lower step and as access to the iX range, it comes to balance.
We are talking about the fact that this model in its normal version starts at 87,150 euros, about 22,000 euros less than that iX50, a big difference that is generally justified by a somewhat lower technological and performance contribution.
This iX40 continues to offer us two electric motors, one for each axis and therefore with the xDrive all-wheel drive qualities of electronic management of its older brothers, however, its power has been reduced to a very good 326 CV, yes, that they are 200 hp less than the iX50 and 293 hp than the even more exclusive iX M60.
To continue adjusting that price, its battery is also reduced from 105 kWh to 71 useful kWh. This allows you to reduce the weight of the car in the order of 100 kilos, which helps to mitigate this power cut at the performance level in addition to benefiting autonomy, since despite reducing its capacity its official range is more than correct 435 km. .
The power of its fast charge is also reduced from 195 kW to 150 kW, but having a more compact battery can go from 0 to 80% charge in just 31 minutes, four minutes less than its fat battery brothers.
The same happens with the conventional alternating current charge that remains the same at 22 kW maximum to achieve 100% battery life in just under four hours compared to five and a half hours for the others.
So, if you don't need the performance exclusivity of the iX 50 and even less of the M60, with 619 CV and 132,000 euros, this iX xDrive40 is a great option, because those 326 CV and its 630 Nm of torque continue to ensure a good Response to any regime, immediate like all electric and we would say superior to rivals with similar features, although with a more compact concept.
Its 0 to 100 km/h is 6.1 seconds, 1.5 seconds more than the iX 50 and 2.3 more than the M60, but it maintains an impressive and immediate recovery capacity at medium and high speeds, something that is much appreciated in fast overtaking.
The autonomy that we have obtained in this test is far from the 435 km announced, but we have indeed exceeded 350 km in calm driving, although quite varied, with a lot of highway, sections of express roads and some urban circulation, all in a relatively cool environment.
For the rest and at the level of behavior this iX xDrive40 continues to offer a very high commitment to comfort and safety, despite the fact that in this case the standard suspension is conventional springs and shock absorbers compared to the adaptive pneumatics of its older brothers.
Of course, it retains the driving modes, including Sport mode and Sport mode with customizable options, as well as normal or automatic mode and Efficiency, which, let's not forget, is the most rational for an electric car. Then it proposes two other modes designed for personalization of the cabin and environments but that dynamically do not contribute anything else.
In general, it has good dynamism on more or less fast roads and agility, where only the weight puts certain limitations, firstly due to the inertia that occurs in a car so heavy (2.4 tons) but which accelerates so well and so quickly. and then because its brakes, although very decisive, are not designed for sporting use and tire relatively easily, even in this unit that came equipped with the Sports Pack (3,600 euros) which, among other elements, equips special brakes with colored calipers. blue.
The size of the car, almost five meters long and its wide turning radius of 6.4 m, do not make it an excessively versatile tool in the city either, but instead, and as we already explained in the iX 50 test, we will have a vehicle with enormous habitability, with five real seats, a large trunk and a most modern design that distinguishes all BMW products.
Apart from the design with unorthodox details, such as the hexagonal shapes of the steering wheel, the large front seats stand out for their comfort and only have one small drawback, which is that the large bucket seats make people 1.6 meters or less They may hit their heads on the central trim of the seat by not reaching the soft area of the headrest. On the other hand, these seats can be with memory and lumbar adjustment, width and massage (1,950 euros).
The rear seats have correct access, and are installed on a wide rear bench, with an acceptable width and good ceiling height, although the legs of its occupants are slightly bent as the floor is slightly raised with respect to them.
The boot has a capacity of 500 liters including the double bottom floor, with a specific hole to store the electrical connection cables to the network. If the electrically operated seat backs are folded down, the cargo capacity rises to a theoretical 1,750 liters.
As we pointed out before, it maintains the highest standards of quality and equipment of the brand and that goes through a commitment to very Premium materials and assembly, as well as the use of the latest BMW technology as standard. For example, the double screen stands out with the 12.3-inch control panel and 14.9-inch central screen with the Operating System 8 software with very extensive, complete menus and full connectivity with current smartphone systems and even points of wifi access.
All these systems can be managed by voice, through the touch screen, somewhat removed from the driver, such as the classic iDrive dial on the center console, a transparent-style wheel that, in addition to rotating and tactile, also accepts writing on its central surface.
To finish this test we cannot fail to highlight the complete set of driving aids that includes the most classic BMW elements such as speed control, emergency braking, lane change warning, automated high beams or the rear cross traffic assistant among other elements. It only leaves as options the active speed control with automatic stop and start function, the automatic lane keeping system, the active intervention of the steering in evasive maneuvers or the system activation system to reduce damage from rear-end accidents.
All of this, of course, is part of a pack that is only around 2,000 euros and is that, as always, BMW offers us cars with very complete equipment, but also with a technological and aesthetic customization menu that is as extensive as it is exclusive.
