In the end, it seems simple. Put a bigger battery in, increase the voltage, give up some range for performance, and presto! Make it more expensive, add some attractive badges, and call it a day. This formula has demonstrated good results. The Tesla Model S family tree, the Porsche Taycan range, and the new line of electric vehicles from BMW are all large in scope. More M, more power, and more money.
Despite its confusing naming convention, BMW provides a kind of middle ground for its cars, one that delicately balances comfort and performance. Its M Performance lineup, which includes the deliciously potent V8-powered BMW M550i and one of the best grand touring convertibles available, the M850i, has given birth to some of our favorite road vehicles. However, if you climb over the electric fence, the same set of guidelines apply.
With its 105.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors on each axle, the new 2023 BMW iX M60 takes a standard iX and amplifies the electrons with the aid of a more potent rear drive unit and inverter to produce 532 hp and 749 lb-ft of torque. Although the torque is a staggering 185 lb-ft more, the horsepower is identical to the xDrive50. In addition, switching to Sport Plus mode temporarily adds more horses to the stable, delivering 610 horsepower and 811 lb-ft to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, eight tenths faster than the xDrive50.
Since it is faster than BMW's own M3, acceleration is aggressive right away. Your right foot is immediately given control of every horse and torque on a silver platter. It's always on or off, never in between, and while this can be amusing the first few times, the level of driver engagement quickly declines as the party trick of silly acceleration wears off. The way the driver must struggle to gain momentum, control, and pet the car in order to accelerate is lost in translation. The iX M60 is a breeze to drive quickly; it responds almost instantly to pedal input and delivers tremendous power with no delay and, sadly, little to no involvement. Even the brakes are incredibly powerful, offering a brake pedal that is more linear and better tuned than the Mercedes-Benz C 300's non-electric counterpart. That should be ideal for iPad babies and people with short attention spans, but for us, it just doesn't quite capture the spirit of a performance car.
However, not all is lost. To give the M60 more vigor around corners and a front end that is more agile and willing to rotate, BMW has stiffened the suspension. Additionally, four wheel steering enables the back wheels to turn, effectively shortening the wheelbase and improving turning. Instead of being overbearing and overeager like in the Mercedes EQS, it feels very natural here. It feels like a natural extension of the steering arm and doesn't overcompensate. The M60 actually likes to swing its tail out and get thrown around with some power oversteer, which is even better. It actually has slightly more body roll and a different sense of speed than a BMW X5 M when cornering.
This is because there isn't any exhaust or engine noise to jar the senses or pass through the firewall. Instead, when you press the throttle, the M60 makes eerie spaceship noises. Similar to the Millennium Falcon going into hyperdrive Depending on the driving mode selected, the noises will change. If you think the deep, wrenching, soulful tones belong on the Inception, Interstellar, or Dunkirk soundtracks, that is because Hans Zimmer specifically composed them for BMW.
The iX M60 excels in terms of comfort thanks to its two-axle adaptive air suspension. It rides flawlessly, absorbing the harshest impacts and only allowing minor ones to fizzle through to keep you aware of what is rumbling beneath the tires. Which brings us to the range; we have no qualms about taking this vehicle on a long-distance road trip.
According to BMW, the iX M60 has a 463 km range on a single charge. We traveled about 360 km in real life, taking into account highway driving, minus-zero temperatures outside, and always-on heated seats and steering wheel. Not awful, but still more than 100 km behind the iX xDrive50 we tested a few months earlier. Therefore, it is best to avoid the M60 if longer drives and fewer stops at the charging station are crucial.
However, it would be difficult to tell from the outside that you spent an additional $28,750 over the xDrive50. Except for the darker badges, trim lines, and blue brake calipers, the M60 has few visually distinctive features. It still has a good appearance, and we have come to like it over time. Even though the grill is excessively large and unapologetic, it somehow complements the iX's brash and muscular appearance. Storm Bay Metallic, which is similar to Nardo Grey but with the temperature raised a few notches toward blue, also does a nice job of highlighting the SUV's soft shoulder lines.
The interior is a superb piece of equipment. There is a lot going on but not enough. The design is simple, contrasting, and clear. The wide dashboard emphasizes the width of the cabin and contains the new dual screens, which are mounted beneath a piece of curved glass. The iX feels more expensive than it is thanks to the soft leather covering all the high traffic areas and the gorgeous glass switchgear for the seat controls and infotainment dials.
The steering wheel is a peculiar shape; when turning quickly, it can be difficult to tell which way is right-side up. Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly bold and daring. The center console's wood inlay is a cute addition because it deftly incorporates the real buttons underneath, creating a flush and cleaner design. The center console is deep and roomy enough to fit my Canon 6D SLR camera, and the passthrough tunnel between the front seats gives the cabin an airy feel. We also appreciate the specific phone cubby located directly above the rotary dial. With its own separate climate controls and USB ports built into the front seatbacks, the rear cabin is just as roomy. The sunroof is not retractable, which contributes to the excellent headroom and legroom that rival the X5. This implies that it won't take up valuable overhead space.
The BMW iX M60 is exactly what we expected it to be—a more potent iX with less range but more power. However, we don't see much appreciable value or usability in that extra zest, and it's unfortunate that it doesn't add more depth to the experience. The more affordable xDrive50 is an equally capable and smooth-riding electric SUV as the more expensive M60. Although we're never ones to complain about having too much power, we believe the xDrive50 gets it just right. It also has the same appearance. The M60 is excessive, but we're sure that for some people it's just right.
Specifications:
- Model: 2023 BMW iX M60 xDrive
- Paint Type: Storm Bay Metallic
- Base Price: $121,750
- Price as Tested: $140,350
- Powertrain: 105.2 kWh lithium ion battery, two electric synchronous AC motors
- Horsepower: 532 hp
- Torque: 749 lb-ft
- Transmission: Single-speed automatic
- Claimed Range: 463 km
- Observed Range: 360 km
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