Latest news with #iX
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scotsman
BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport Review: superb EV is a no-brainer for your next company car
High-spec and long range, the BMW iX xDrive is a compelling option as a high-end company car. It's just a shame about the nose. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Love it or hate it, if there's one big positive about the rather excessive kidney-grille which dominates the front of the BMW iX, it's that you don't see it when you're inside the luxury EV. From day one the grille has divided opinion. You either like, or you don't. So, perhaps it's worth highlighting that in this newly-facelifted iX the grille remains, though it's improved somewhat by the addition of some new mesh patterns. First launched in 2021, the updated 2025 iX retains what was BMW's first bespoke EV platform since the iconic i3, plus the original's intriguing part carbon-fibre reinforced plastic structure. But while the latest model also gets new headlights and redesigned bumpers, plus new front and rear aprons aimed at giving the iX a more aggressive and sporty look, the biggest and most important changes have been made under the surface. Not only has each powertrain been revised, but some now boast a 40% increase in range. Plus, across the board there's more power. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Exploring the model range You can choose from three versions, each now boasting a new name to reflect the increase in battery size and power. The range-topper is the rather bonkers M70 xDrive, replacing the M60. The latest version sees power increase from 611bhp to a whopping 650bhp, with 0-62mph taking just 3.8secs. And while the other two models are restricted to a 124mph max, the M70 tops-out at 155mph. Battery capacity has increased to 108.9kWh, while BMW claims a 366-mile range, up from 348 miles. The mid-point iX is the xDrive60, replacing the xDrive 50. There's a marginal increase in power from 516bhp to 537bhp, while the 0-62mph time remains 4.6s. And while it also retains the same battery pack as it had previously, BMW technicians have unlocked more usable capacity from it, increasing from 105.2kWh to 109.2kWh. Boosted by more eco-friendly headlights, higher-efficiency-labelled tyres and new wheel bearings, BMW has increased its range from 380 to 426 miles. The model we're reviewing is the entry-level xDrive45, which replaces the xDrive40. Power has increased from 322bhp to 402bhp, which has resulted in the 0-62mph time being reduced by one second: it now covers the sprint in 5.1s. But by far the most significant improvement is the size of the battery. Out has gone the relatively small 71kWh battery of the original, to be replaced by a 30% larger 94.8kWh unit. BMW claims the new power pack sees range improve from 257 miles to 374 miles. Rear of the BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport | BMW What about charging? The speeds remain the same. That means with a maximum 195kW DC charging speed you can top-up from 10-80% in 35-minutes on a rapid charger. As for AC charging, 11kW is standard with 22kW optional. The latter is standard on the M70. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Interior layout and design In this midlife upgrade, BMW has ditched the previous hexagonal-shaped steering wheel for a traditional round version in the M Sport version I drove. There's also gorgeous new seats which feature a quilted stitching pattern and cup your back beautifully. Not only do they look stylish, they're super-comfy being terrifically padded and supportive. The rest of the interior remains pretty much as before, which is no bad thing. The Curved Glass display which appeared in the original, and has now been rolled out across the BMW model range, remains the star of the show. Stylistically, straight lines and diagonals dominate the interior of what is a high-quality five-seater SUV. There's a vast amount of interior space and that, allied to the general usefulness of the cabin plus the impressive integration of the onboard technology make it a relaxing and enjoyable place to be. Interior of the BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport | BMW Drive and handling Definitely. First, let's not forget this is a 2.5-tonne vehicle. It's no lightweight. But take it on to the road and you'll find it immediately belies its vast bulk by delivering a serene drive. There's almost a sensation of floating above the road surface such is the magic of its suspension. Road imperfections: what road imperfections? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In terms of handling, the iX xDrive45 remains one of the sharper, and better luxury electric SUVs to drive. Acceleration is smooth and sharp, while the steering remains pin-sharp accurate. BMW says it has finely-tuned the chassis and suspension of all three variants to match their respective power outputs. There is no question the iX is focused on relaxation, quietness and comfort. Pricing It's not cheap. The range-topping M70 will set you back a whopping £114,215, with the xDrive60 M Sport starting at £93,115. As previously, it's the lesser-powered and cheaper models which make most sense. That said, the entry-model xDrive45 Sport costs from £75,315, with the xDrive45 M Sport I drove adding another £3000. That's £78,315. Verdict should you buy one? At its conception, the iX showcased BMW's commitment to making its mark in the fast-evolving early life of high-end, luxury EVs. That it did so by melding a combination of superb aerodynamics, driver assist technology and top quality materials in the cabin ensured it caught buyers' attention. This newly-updated iX raises the bar even higher, with the improved power packs easing the big electric SUV alongside, if not further ahead, of its rivals in terms of performance and range. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Business Wire
25-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Viper Innovations: Proud Winners of the Autonomous Dynamic Cable Inspection Competition
PORTISHEAD, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Viper Innovations has been selected as the winner of an Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult's Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence challenge, delivered in partnership with Flotation Energy and Simply Blue Group, to identify autonomous floating offshore wind turbine dynamic cable inspection solutions. The challenge was delivered through the Innovate UK Innovation Exchange (iX) programme. Viper Innovations has won a significant industry challenge for its dynamic cable monitoring technology, advancing reliability in floating offshore wind. Backed by Innovate UK and led by ORE Catapult with Flotation Energy and Simply Blue Group. The purpose of the competition was to identify innovative solutions for monitoring defects inside dynamic cables on floating offshore wind farms. Viper Innovations' entry builds upon their record of providing electrical monitoring and asset integrity solutions for a broad range of applications and industries. Daniel Denning, Viper Innovations Engineering Manager, said: 'Our journey through this initiative, part of the iX programme backed by ORE Catapult, highlights the importance of innovation in advancing floating offshore wind technologies. As the UK prepares for the deployment of approximately 1,000 dynamic cables over the next decade, Viper Innovations is proud to be at the forefront of delivering the solutions needed to improve reliability and accelerate the energy transition. 'We look forward to building on this success and continuing to work closely with Flotation Energy and the Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence to support the future of offshore renewable energy – to push Dynamic Cable Condition Monitoring (DCCM) into its next phase, helping the sector overcome the challenges on the dynamic cable.' Emily Sarveswaran, ORE Catapult Dynamic Cable Strategic Programme Lead at ORE Catapult, said: "At ORE Catapult's Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence, we were pleased to support Viper Innovations through the Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge. As the floating offshore wind sector moves toward commercialisation, condition monitoring of dynamic subsea cables is vital to ensuring long-term asset integrity and reducing operational risk. We look forward to continuing our support for Viper Innovations and the development of their solution." Viper Innovations' focus on insulation monitoring, insulation protection, and mechanical condition assessment for dynamic cables was particularly commended as addressing a critical and currently underserved need in the floating offshore wind sector. The winning solution from Viper Innovations, leveraging advanced technologies such as SSTDR and V-LIM, received excellent feedback from the judging panel. They recognised their expertise, the strong suitability of the technology to the challenge, and the innovative adaptation of proven insulation monitoring and reflectometry techniques from other industries, including subsea oil and gas. Rachel Nicholls-Lee, Flotation Energy Naval Architecture Technical Authority, said: 'Flotation Energy was delighted to partner with ORE Catapult in this challenge, supported by Innovate UK's Innovation Exchange (iX) programme. Innovation in floating offshore wind turbine dynamic cable inspection has many practical applications for floating offshore wind, and we were particularly impressed by Viper Innovations' suggested solution. We look forward to supporting them as they continue to develop this technology.' About the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult ORE Catapult is the UK's leading innovation centre for offshore renewable energy, established in 2013 by the UK Government as part of a network of Catapults set up by Innovate UK in high growth industries. Independent and trusted, with a unique combination of world-leading test and demonstration facilities, engineering and research expertise, ORE Catapult convenes the sector, delivering applied research, accelerating technology development, reducing risk and cost and enhancing UK-wide economic growth.
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
BMW Backs Away from Self-Driving Promises
In demonstrating its next-generation Neue Klasse electric cars, BMW was surprisingly diffident about the prospects for high-level autonomy. This comes at a time when Tesla and rival robotaxis grab the media landscape, and other established manufacturers scramble in the same direction. BMW is almost setting itself up not as the Ultimate Driving Machine, but the Only Driving Machine. Perhaps BMW is just recognizing what the whole industry has found: that autonomous driving is far harder than anyone thought, and also that in most places outside China, the car-buying public isn't sure they want it anyway. The prevailing thought used to be very different. In the early to middle of the last decade, most car companies said autonomous driving would be here by 2021 or so. In 2017, BMW showed a concept-car version of what would become the iX. The engineers told us the production iX would be able to drive itself door-to-door in many parts of the world by 2023. That date has come and gone, and there's little sign of the capability. Related: 2026 BMW iX gets more power, range, and trim levels Alexander Karajlovic, head of driving dynamics and assistance for the next iX3, no longer talks much of autonomous driving, preferring the phrase 'co-operative driving'. The car will assist its driver in many new ways, but the driver has to be – and wants to be, BMW thinks – always in the loop. If you drive well, the systems won't nanny you, but if you seem to be inattentive, they step in. For instance, if your eyes are on the road and you steer a smooth line through a curve, even if you transgress the dotted line in the center of the road, the wheel won't nudge your hands back into the lane. Change lanes without signaling? No annoying buzzer, as long as you've checked your mirror. If a parked car blocks your lane, it'll brake gently and steer around it, rather than panic braking and blaring alarms. There are also some fancy self-parking systems, using AI to help drivers find spaces, make it easy to select one, and drive in with natural-feeling precision. The processor's power to do this is significant. It's a single central water-cooled chip, as powerful as the 'Heart of Joy' computer that controls the vehicle's powertrain, brakes and chassis. It's 20 times more powerful than BMW's existing driver-assist brains. It uses AI algorithms for perception planning, making the operation smoother, but, Karajlovic says, sticks to rule-based planning for safety. "We are looking for safety, not planning flashy features," he insists. "We are not focusing on a few customers on level three [high-level highway] assistance, because the majority won't get an advantage." But all cars in the Neue Klasse are upgradable. If customers truly want it and the legislative climate gets more favorable, an OTA update will give all Neue Klasse cars capability for SAE Level 2+ driving. That's feet off, hands off, eyes on the road. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Drive
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
BMW Recalls Vast Swath of Its Current EVs to Address Sudden Power Loss
The latest car news, reviews, and features. BMW is recalling vehicles across its entire lineup of current-generation EVs in order to address a software glitch that can cause their drive motors to shut off unexpectedly. The company's recall notification emphasized the fact that the glitch only impacts the drive motor itself, leaving the car's braking and steering system operational despite the loss of power. The recall campaign covers the 2022-2024 BMW i4, the 2025 i4 EDrive35 and EDrive40, the 2024 i5, the 2023-2024 i7 and the 2022-2024 iX. Altogether, the pool comprises nearly 71,000 sedans and SUVs. After identifying approximately 40 potential issues via previous warranty claims, BMW says the likely number of EVs on the road exhibiting a fault is less than 1%. 'In certain vehicle production configurations, the software may erroneously detect a double-isolation condition. As a fail-safe measure, this will cause a shutdown of the high-voltage system approximately 15-20 seconds after a warning message is displayed,' BMW's recall notice said. 'Power assisted steering and braking are not affected,' it continued. BMW BMW says it was first alerted to the issue in 2021, but instances were so rare that its engineers were unable to isolate the cause. After more examples accumulated, BMW traced the issue to a fail-safe measure designed to protect against potential electrical shorts originating from the high-voltage system—the sort of gremlin that could cause damage to major components, injure occupants, or even start a fire. Per BMW's chronology, the fail-safe was likely being triggered by phantom electrical faults; while the company did not positively identify their source, the new software's fail-safe mode should not trigger at random. Got a bricked EV in your driveway? Let us know at tips@
NDTV
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Bollywood Actress Dia Mirza Buys BMW iX Electric SUV Worth Rs 1.39 Crore
Bollywood celebrities are slowly adopting luxury electric vehicles, and the latest to join the list is Dia Mirza. The actress, known for her environmental activism, appears to be advancing her agenda with her latest purchase, a fully electric BMW iX. Classified as a luxurious electric vehicle in the Indian market, the EV comes at a starting price of Rs 1.39 crore (ex-showroom) and seems to be a perfect fit for the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) Ambassador's garage. The update on Dia Mirza's new BMW iX was shared on Instagram with pictures and videos of her taking the delivery. With this EV in her garage, the actress has joined the list of celebrities like Riteish Deshmukh, Nushrratt Bharuccha, and Ibrahim Ali Khan as an owner of the vehicle. Additionally, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has also been seen driving the vehicle. Dia Mirza's new EV also gets unique features, such as a hexagonal steering wheel and an extensive curved display that includes a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. The iX is also equipped with numerous features, such as an electrochromic panoramic glass roof and multi-functional seats that offer memory and massage capabilities. Dia Mirza's BMW iX xDrive50 comes packed with a 111.5 kWh battery pack, which offers a WLTP range of 635 km on a single charge. The charge from the battery is transferred to two electric motors, one placed on each axle, giving it all-wheel-drive capacity. The combined output of these motors is rated at 523 hp and 765 Nm torque. When put to use, they can propel the SUV from zero to 100 kmph in 4.6 seconds. The battery can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 35 minutes using a 195 kW DC charger, in 97 minutes with a 50 kW DC charger, in roughly 5.5 hours with a 22 kW AC charger, and in about 11 hours when using an 11 kW AC charger.
