BMW iX M60, the exceptional performance SUV!

In early 2022, the BMW iX range inducted a third variant positioned above the xDrive40 and xDrive50, the BMW iX M60. Recently, I got to spend some time with the performance flagship, and learn about its design, comfort, features, interior, space, and specifications. Here is my assessment of BMW’s quickest electric vehicle.

Design

What immediately struck me about the iX M60 is its sportier look, but most details are similar to the non-M iX’s Sport package. The calipers of the SUV’s M Sport brake system carry a blue color and feature an M logo. 21-inch Aero Style 102 wheels are standard, but an option is available to upgrade to unique 22-inch wheels featuring an exclusive Titanium Bronze finish.

Other styling details include BMW Individual Titanium Bronze Exterior Line and M logos in a High Gloss Black/Titanium Bronze finish on the front side panels and the rear. The unit that I experienced was finished in the Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic color, fitted with 22-inch M Aero Bi-color Bronze Wheels.

Seeing it in person, I thought that the Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic gives the iX a unique charm, subtly shifting between blue, teal, and green hues depending on the lighting. This provides it a distinctive look that can appear more greenish in some conditions, making it a suitable option for American buyers looking to differentiate their ride while retaining a touch of elegance.

Interior

Stepping inside the iX M60, it’s evident that the car is based on a platform that’s designed for EVs, due to the flat floor area between the seats. What also sets this variant apart are the Gold Bronze surfaces and controls, and the instrument cluster displays an M logo.

There are several selections for the interior, too. Customers can choose from five types of upholstery options: Oyster Perforated (Sensatec), Mocha Perforated (Sensatec), Black Perforated (Sensatec), Amido (USD 3,500), and Castanea Chestnut (USD 3,500). Irrespective of the upholstery, Titanium Bronze trim is standard. As an option, customers can further enhance the styling with paid options like BMW Individual Titanium Bronze exterior trim (USD 500) or BMW i Blue seatbelts (USD 300).

Sitting in the BMW iX, I was impressed by its futuristic yet manageable feel. The dashboard’s unusual shape and tilted AC vents weren’t to my liking, but the overall minimalist design and the sleek, freestanding curved display panel—merging a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen under a single glass surface with Titanium Bronze highlights—felt like experiencing modern art in a high-end lounge.

The cabin’s spaciousness was amplified by the floating center console, nearly flat floor, and a continuous panoramic sunroof featuring electrochromic shading. The center console’s ornate wood trim cleverly hides touch-sensitive controls, and the glossy surfaces on various knobs and buttons enhance the luxurious feel. The bright decor and vibrant mood lighting further enrich the cabin’s atmosphere, making it a luxurious space.

From the driver’s seat, the fine balance between comfort and sportiness was perceivable. The hexagonal, heated steering wheel and the electrically adjustable steering column added to the comfort. The expansive windshield and cleverly positioned pillars provided excellent visibility, accommodating my six-foot frame with plenty of headroom, and adequate under-thigh and lumbar support.

The rear seating area was equally impressive in terms of space and comfort, although I noted that the under-thigh support could be improved. The design of the rear quarter glass and the large windows ensured superb outward visibility. The slightly elevated floor might be an issue for taller individuals, and an adjustment in future models would be welcome.

Specifications

The BMW iX M60 sports two motors, a 255 hp unit at the front and a 483 hp machine at the rear. The M-specific design of these motors leads to a high power density, and this applies to a greater extent to the primary electric drive, which is the rear motor. The front motor achieves a value of 1.96 kW/kg, while the rear motor’s power density is 2.59 kW/kg. They achieve an efficiency of up to 93%.

Motor output

The iX M60’s motors provide a combined power of 532 hp and total torque of 749 lb.-ft. In Sport mode, the maximum power goes up to 610 hp, but this is a temporary boost available for a few seconds. It’s possible to temporarily boost the torque, too. On activating Launch Control, the output increases to 811 lb.-ft.

Suspension

In addition to the motors, the iX’s dual-axle air suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers has undergone modifications at BMW M, providing increased agility and dynamic performance. Continuously adjustable valves adaptively control the damper forces with an M-specific characteristic. They can change the damper force to the optimum level within a few milliseconds. BMW Group says that it has used powerfully dimensioned anti-rollbars on the rear axle.

The iX M60 accelerates without drive slip, and its suspension rarely needs to intervene to stabilize it. In case of instability, the actuator-based wheel slip limitation ensures optimum traction with lightning-fast and precise response times, it says.

Acceleration

A pulsating motion in the seat surfaces and a corresponding display on the BMW Curved Display stage the driver’s readiness to take off when the iX M60 is at a standstill. With the Launch Control function engaged, the X5 M’s pure electric alternative gives a catapult-like start with “unwavering aplomb and accelerates as if on rails,” says the BMW Group. Floor the pedal, and the iX M60 speeds up from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds! That makes it 0.8 seconds quicker than the iX xDrive50, and while the latter tops out at 124 mph, the iX M60 can keep going till 155 mph.

Range & Charging

The battery pack has a usable capacity of 109.5 kWh, but while the iX xDrive50 can travel up to 311 miles, the iX M60 delivers 296 miles. Like the iX xDrive50, the iX M60 supports charging at up to 11 kW (AC)/195 kW (DC).

Aspect	BMW iX M60 Specification
Length/Width/Height	195.0 in./77.4 in./66.8 in.
Wheelbase	118.1 in.
Curb Weight	5,769 lbs.
Gross Weight	6,878 lbs.
Headroom	41.5 in.
Legroom	40.2 in. (front)/38.9 in. (rear)
Shoulder Room	61.5 in. (front)/58.3 in. (rear)
Drivetrain Layout	AWD
No. of Motors	Two
Combined Power	610 hp
Combined Torque	749 lb.-ft.
Transmission	Single-speed automatic
Battery Pack (usable)	109.5 kWh lithium-ion
0-60 mph Acceleration Time	3.6 seconds
Top Speed	130 mph (all-season tires)/155 mph (summer performance tires)
EPA-est. Range	296 miles
Maximum AC Charging Power	11 kW
Lowest AC Charging Time (0-100% SoC)	10.25 hours
Maximum DC Charging Power	195 kW
Lowest DC Charging Time (10-80% SoC)	40~ minutes

Features

Being the range-topping iX variant, the M60 packs many advanced features as standard. M-enhanced dual-axle air suspension, Integral Active Steering (Active Steering + rear-axle steering), and M Sport brakes with blue calipers are part of the standard equipment. Icon Adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight, panoramic Sky Lounge LED roof, BMW IconicSounds Electric with an exclusive drive sound, acoustic pedestrian protection, and Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System are standard, too.

Displays

The comprehensive standard equipment of the iX M60 includes BMW Live Cockpit Professional, BMW Natural Interaction, Parking Assistant Professional, and Highway Assistant as well. BMW Live Cockpit Professional consists of the BMW Curved Display, a new UI and menu structure with individually configurable widgets, an extended BMW Head-Up Display, and the BMW Controller. As for the enhanced Parking Assistant Professional, it allows owners to remotely park and maneuver the iX via their iPhone.

The BMW Curved Display clubs a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch control display as a single unit angled towards the driver. It runs on the BMW Operating System 8 (BMW OS 8), which offers eye-catching graphics and futuristic textures and forms. The new-generation BMW Head-Up Display features a flush-fit projector, designed to stay hidden from sight.

Highway Assistant & Battery pack conditioning

The iX is also available with Highway Assistant as part of the Driver Assistance Professional Package. The feature enables hands-free driving at speeds of up to 85 mph on limited-access highways.

All variants of the BMW iX are equipped with an updated version of Predictive Heat Management technology. The iX can control the temperature of its battery pack by routing waste heat from the electric motors, thereby maximizing the charging speed when connected to a DC fast charger.

Manufacturing

BMW Group produces the iX, including the iX M60, at the Dingolfing plant entirely using regional green hydroelectricity from the Uppenborn-Isar hydropower plants between Moosburg and Landshut.

It is interesting to note that the iX is built on a new dedicated EV platform, which won’t be utilized for another model. The exclusive underpinning is an aluminum spaceframe with select carbon-fiber portions (side frame, rain channels, roof frame, cowl panel, and rear window frame). Future BMW electric cars will use multi-energy platforms (the ‘CLAR’ that is shared with the combustion model) or wait for the Neue Klasse platform (an advanced bespoke EV architecture) that will be deployed in 2025.

Also Read: First Look Review: The 2024 BMW i5 M60 is my kind of 5 Series!

Price

The 2025 BMW iX M60 costs USD 111,500 (excluding destination & handling charges) and is available at dealerships in the U.S.

TopElectricSUV says

The BMW iX M60 has a polarizing design, but it offers superb performance, great build quality, a high-tech interior that’s conventional just enough, impressive comfort and driving dynamics, and it’s also 10% less expensive than the Tesla Model X. Despite its sub-300 mile range, it’s one of the top electric SUVs in the category.

Also Read: First Look Review: The BMW iX delivers performance, quality & practicality