Test Car Specifications
Model: 2023 BMW iX M60
Price: From £124,605
Motor: two electric motors
Battery: 105.2kWh (net) lithium-ion battery
Transmission: single-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 619hp
Torque: 1,015Nm (1,100Nm with launch control)
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 338-349 miles
0-62mph: 3.8 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Boot space: 500-1,750 litres
Styling
The iX has had more than its fair share of critics – at least where the design is concerned – and the M60 won’t do much to fix that. In truth, the upgrades are pretty subtle, with a handful of black-and-gold badges proving the sole obvious change. Otherwise, it looks much like the standard version, which will alienate as many would-be buyers as it attracts. The big ‘Bugs Bunny’ grille remains, the bulky shape is unaltered, and there’s still a slight air of obnoxious ugliness about it. Whether you like it or not, there’s no doubt it’s challenging.
Interior
If you think the M60's external upgrades are small, they've got nothing on the interior changes. Of which there are very few. There's very little change in the cabin, aside from some M logos on the bank of screens across the dashboard.
When the iX was introduced, the Curved Display was radical and modern, but it has become a common theme among the latest-generation BMW products. The screen is sharp and quick to respond, and the digital instrument cluster is particularly impressive, both in its customisation options and its usefulness.
And BMW has kept its iDrive rotary controller, which lives on the centre console, to help drivers use the systems. That means you can navigate the system by feel once you've learned your way around, and that means spending less time with your eyes away from the road. But with such a clean dashboard design that's almost devoid of buttons, the touchscreen takes a lot of the strain. Even the climate control system is housed in there.
Naturally, the design is complemented by BMW's traditional build quality, which feels every bit as solid as in any other BMW product. The buttons that exist feel robust and solid, and the materials are brilliant. As are the seats.
Practicality
Like every other iX model, the M60 gets a big battery under the floor, which means there's plenty of space in the boot. At 500 litres with the seats up and the car loaded to the window line, you get as much space in the back of the M60 as there is in any other iX, and as much space as a 3 Series estate. It's a roomy thing. And it's even more spacious in the cabin, where there's plenty of separation between those in the front and there's a massive amount of rear legroom. Headroom is ample, too, which is no surprise given the bodyshape, but the cleanliness of the iX interior means the car always feels light and airy.
Performance
Like every other iX model, the M60 gets a big battery under the floor, but it's the larger of the two batteries available. That means you get just over 100kWh of accessible capacity, all of which feeds two electric motors. Together, they produce 1,100Nm of torque when launch control is engaged, and you get a massive 619hp. With all that heading to all four wheels, the M60 is rapid in a straight line, accelerating from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds. At full chat, it'll do 155mph, which is apparently all down to the demands of German customers. It seems the other iX models' top speed of 124mph just wasn't enough on the German motorway network.
Obviously, the speed is all part of the iX M60's appeal, but it has to have range, too. With that massive battery on board, BMW says it'll do between 338 and 349 miles on a single charge, which seems fanciful in the real world. But if you steer clear of motorways and drive gently, you should manage 250 or so without too much difficulty. On a motorway run, you're probably talking about 200-230.
Ride & Handling
While the M60 version of the iX gets a notable power boost, there are no major changes to the suspension, which means it hardly feels all that different to the standard car. That’s a good thing in some ways – it makes it a very wafty and comfortable car – but it means it doesn’t feel any more special, or indeed any sportier, than the standard car. Only in its sportiest modes does it stiffen up, but it never feels that jagged. It just allows you to identify the bumps more of the time.
Unfortunately, the car doesn’t handle with any more agility than the standard iX models, which drive nicely, but don’t handle quite as smartly as some of the best-handling BMW products. That said, the steering is first-class and the grip is plentiful, but you’ll get more fun out of an X5 M Competition or something of that ilk. The M60 wallows too much in corners to be a properly sporting option. But BMW says it’s built for high-speed motorway work – something that’s more use in Germany than the UK.
Value
This M60 version of the iX comes in at a staggering £124,605, which makes it more than £50,000 more expensive than an entry level iX. Of course, the basic xDrive40 Sport model doesn't get anything like as much range thanks to its smaller battery, but it gets the same space, more comfort and most of the important features. The Curved Display, heated front seats, climate control and a reversing camera are all thrown in as standard. So given the M60 only really adds a bit of kit and a little bit of pace, but the price difference is enough to pay for an entire 520i Saloon (with a handful of options), it's hard to describe the M60 as "value for money".
Verdict
Unless you need a 155mph top speed – and, unless you live in Germany, you don’t – there really is no point in having the iX M60. Sure, it’s quick, but the xDrive50 is hardly slow, and it’s more comfortable and less expensive. We were hoping the M60 would bring proper handling kudos to the iX range, but we were left sorely disappointed. Stick with a less powerful version and enjoy it for the comfy, refined thing that it is.
