BMW iX M60

The South African pricing of the new BMW iX M60 has been listed, the luxurious battery-powered SUV starting at R2,975,000 before any options.

The M60 was unveiled in January 2022 and ranks as the most-powerful electric vehicle (EV) the manufacturer sells, signifying “the departure of the BMW M brand into the segment of electrified performance cars,” said BMW.

The flagship iX is not yet on the BMW website and therefore not officially on sale, but with its pricing now revealed, it’s expected to reach showrooms rather soon.

iX M60 specifications

As the mightiest iX of them all, the M60 boasts a standard fifth-generation electric motor at the front with an M-specific motor on the rear axle for a combined output of 397kW and 1,015Nm in Sport mode.

However, with Launch Control activated, the electric BMW sees a 10-second “performance increase” up to 455kW and 1,100Nm, allowing for a blistering 0-100km/h sprint of 3.8 seconds in an SUV that weighs 2.6 tonnes.

The flagship model’s top speed is also rated at 250km/h – 50km/h more than the xDrive40 and xDrive50 – and it further gets M-specific dual-axle air suspension for enhanced handling precision, as well as Sports brakes.

The basis for the powertrain is a 105kWh battery module that provides a total driving range of 561km.

This component supports a maximum DC charging speed of 195kW allowing the battery to replenish from 10-80% in 39 minutes. Owners charging at home can make use of an 11kW AC plug, which completes 10-100% in just under 11 hours.

Once inside, the cabin comforts are plentiful in BMW’s headlining electric SUV, though as always, there is a variety of add-ons on offer for the more discerning customer.

When it was unveiled, the M60 offered the “most extensive range of standard equipment” in the automaker’s stable seeing Bowers & Wilkins surround sound, laser LED lights, comfort access, five My Modes drive settings, augmented reality navigation, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, active seat ventilation for the front seats, and the Heat Comfort package which brings a heated steering wheel, armrests, and seats.

Moreover, it comes with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system with Natural Interaction, which allows functions on the 14.9-inch infotainment display to be operated via speech and gestures only.

Over-the-air software updates also provide the possibility of installing “new and improved vehicle functions” over the course of ownership without having to take the iX back to the dealership to do so.

Pointing to its high-performance nature, this particular iX then wears blue brake calipers with M logos, 21-inch alloy wheels, a Titanium Bronze exterior accent line, and M badging in high-gloss black/titanium bronze.

If these trimmings aren’t sufficient, the options list includes 22-inch M Aerodynamic wheels alongside the “Suite interior” with a natural leather instrument panel, centre console, seats, and door trim surfaces, as well as Gold Bronze surfaces and controls.