Sime Darby Auto Bavaria (SDAB), pengedar rasmi terbesar kenderaan BMW di Malaysia telah berganding bahu dengan Sime Darby Rent-A-Car (SDRAC) – Hertz Malaysia, pemimpin dalam industri sewa kereta. Kerjasama ini menawarkan pengalaman memandu kenderaan elektrik (EV) yang menarik dan luar biasa kepada rakyat Malaysia, lantas membuka era baharu e-pergerakan dalam perkhidmatan sewa kenderaan.
Sempena kerjasama ini dan juga perayaan Tahun Baharu Cina yang akan datang, satu tawaran sewa eksklusif telah dirangka untuk menawarkan pengalaman memandu tersendiri dengan BMW iX elektrik sepenuhnya yang sangat popular. Dengan harga sewa yang bermula daripada RM550 sehari dan RM5,500 sebulan, BMW iX ialah model paling sesuai untuk pemanduan jangka pendek premium bagi peminat kereta yang ingin menikmati kemewahan EV berteknologi tinggi.
En. Vi Thim Juan, Pengarah Urusan Auto Bavaria, berkata, “Auto Bavaria komited sepenuhnya mahu merintis penggunaan EV di Malaysia. Kali ini, kami memberi peluang kepada rakyat Malaysia untuk memandu BMW iX kami untuk menikmati gaya dan keunikan yang tiada tandingan yang membawakan trend terkini dalam teknologi EV. Bersama dengan Hertz Malaysia, kami mencipta sebuah ekosistem kukuh yang menyokong selanjutnya penggunaan EV. BMW iX ialah model sempurna untuk ditawarkan kerana menjanjikan ciri kelebihan terbaik dalam segmen BMW EV tahun lepas. Kami menggalakkan semua orang untuk mengambil kesempatan daripada tawaran sewa perayaan bagi pengalaman memandu serba baharu yang lebih baik.”
Sime Darby Auto Bavaria (SDAB), Malaysia’s leading distributor of BMW vehicles, has joined forces with Sime Darby Rent-A-Car (SDRAC) – Hertz Malaysia, a prominent name in the car rental industry, to introduce an exciting and unparalleled electric vehicle (EV) driving experience to Malaysians. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards embracing e-mobility in rental services.
To celebrate this partnership and the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities, an exclusive rental offer has been unveiled, featuring the highly sought-after fully electric BMW iX. With introductory rental prices starting at RM550 per day and RM5,500 per month, the BMW iX presents an ideal opportunity for car enthusiasts to indulge in a premium short-term drive, experiencing the epitome of high-tech EV luxury.
Somethings are best left to the experts, so the saying goes. As context, would you allow an electrician to do your plumbing? Or a plumber to do your gardening? Or would you buy char koey teow from a pisang goreng seller? You should get the gist by now.
When it comes to buying cars, it would probably be wise to buy a car from the experts as well. Arguable I know but stay with me.
Elon Musk was recently asked for a response after BYD dethroned Tesla as the world’s largest maker of EV cars, to which he responded, “Tesla is an AI/robotics company that appears to many to be a car company.”
That may be fine by some, but it did not go down very well with me, it seemed like PR fluff to deflect the facts. But I respect that Tesla may recognize itself as more than just a car company. Call me a traditionalist, or a purist, but when it comes to buying or recommending cars, I am still inclined to acknowledge the old guard, and in the case of this article – BMW.
This may trigger some of the modern, younger readers because there are newer car makers that are quite good at what they do. BYD for example has taken the world by storm, and Geely too has done a stellar job, though a lot of that was achieved by outright buying or partnering with some carmakers and then relying on their tech, e.g. Volvo, Lotus and Mercedes-Benz.
But BMW has taken its own approach, one that it has long been known for, good old engineering and technology. It has long built some of the nicest cars to drive and no one can deny that. In the modern world of electrification, BMW has delivered once again.
That is no surprise though, about a decade ago, BMW stunned the world with the i3 and the intrepid i8. Both fantastic cars in their own right that have developed their own cult like following these days.
Those cars provided the foundation, both in terms of design and technology for today’s electric BMW’s. On that note, BMW Malaysia has been on a crusade of sorts to introduce as many electric models as it can, probably to capitalize on the governments incentives that encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.
And the iX is one of its most popular models.
As a backgrounder, the iX was the second purpose-built all-electric BMW after the i3, and is the fourth model under BMW’s i sub-brand.
In terms of sizing, it is similar to the X5, but it has its own unique design, which I must admit to thinking it was hideous at first but has turned out to quite handsome over time. It does not try very hard to be something unique and the simplistic design elements have worked in its favour.
The design though is not just visually pleasing, but it is also functional. The design of the iX is completely bespoke and is not shared with any other BMW model, and its aerodynamic elements such as the front, rear, the sealed underbody, and wheel areas are said to add over 65km to the car’s overall range.
Up front the gigantic faux grilles which were once criticized for being too large and ugly have also been charmed by time.
The plastic grilles are flanked by BMW’s Laserlight headlamps that are widely regarded as some of the finest in the business. These laserlights require 30 percent less energy than LED lights and are able to illuminate up to 800 metres ahead, providing maximum visibility in the dark.
The model we drove is the iX50, which is now the middle-child of the entire iX range in Malaysia. Though largely the same in terms of aesthetics and trimming, it has some distinguishing features such as the beautiful 22-inch aero wheels that hide 17-inch brake callipers that are finished in blue colour.
There is also a gold coloured feature that hugs the shoulder line of the car and is reminiscent of the monstrous XM model. This is how you can visually tell the iX50 apart from its lesser siblings.
There’s plenty about the iX that is unique, even the door handles, or rather a lack of them. The doors are not opened by tugging on to handles in the traditional sense, in fact the handles are replaced by recesses in the door. The doors are opened using electronic openers which operate at the touch of a button located inside that recess.
Once you open the door you will notice that the doors are frameless, a feature only seen in coupes not too long ago, and still look stunning.
Then before you step in, the other thing you may notice is the exposed carbon-fibre that makes up the passenger cell.
The body structure of the iX is made of aluminium, but there are parts of the body that are made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTP). Parts such as the side frame, rain channels, roof frame, cowl plane and the rear window frame are all made of these two exotic materials.
Together this form something BMW calls the ‘Carbon Cage’. Using this instead of conventional steel shaves five kilograms off the overall weight of the car and adds stiffness and also improves range.
Inside, a spacious, minimalistic interior greets you. It does not do much to take your breath away, in fact you might be underwhelmed at first. But then you notice that the gear knob, iDrive controller and seat controls are made of real crystal glass, the same material that some chandeliers are made of.
The centre panel on the other hand has an elegant piece of open-pore walnut wood trim that reminds you that this is a car made with environmental conservation in mind. There is a bit of contradiction here though – shouldn’t environmental conservation mean that trees should not be cut down to be made into automotive trimming? Of course! That is why BMW only works with FSC-certified wood to ensure that forests are protected the way they should be.
Up ahead of you is BMW’s latest generation Live Cockpit Professional system that includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen system that houses all the controls, navigation and entertainment. These screens are not only massive but are also impressively slim, and they curve according to the curvature of the dashboard.
The iX is also the first BMW to be fitted with a hexagonal steering wheel. The reasoning behind it is that the polygonal geometry makes it easy to switch between automated and active driving. It is not only designed for convenience but also practicality, the flat top makes it easy for the driver to look past the screens as well for the all-important eyes-on-road driving.
Even the rear passengers will find the interior to be a special place. The iX offers a lounge-style ambiance at the back and the omission of the centre tunnel offers plenty of legroom. The sense of space is further complemented by the skylounge panoramic glass roof that boasts electrochromic shading functionality.
The panoramic roof is not only the largest glass roof fitted in a BMW, but it can shield the interior from direct sunlight at the touch of a button. If you want some light, the roof becomes translucent at the touch of a button, and if you want some privacy, you can simply press that same button and it blocks out everything in under a second. It felt great for the four days that we had the car, but some owners complain that it can be quite warm, saying that a physical shade would work better.
The most important thing about the iX50 is what it offers in terms of performance and range. And though it costs about RM143,000 more than the base iX40, the interiors of both cars are largely the same. The real difference is what powers the car.
Differentiating the iX50 is a bigger 111.5kWh battery and more powerful motors. It has a total system output of 523hp and 765Nm of torque. And despite weighing over two and a half tons, it is capable of some blistering performance – seeing off the 0-100kmh sprint in just 4.6 seconds and tops out at an electronically limited 200km/h.
And though it has more power and performance, it also has better range than the base model. The iX50 has a WLTP range of 630km while the base only has 425km.
The way the iX drives is also an occasion by itself, you are mostly cocooned in silence at regular speeds but as soon as you put your foot down, BMW’s Iconic Sounds takes over and makes you feel like you are driving a hugely powerful four-wheeled banshee.
It also handles impossibly well, which is quite a feat considering that Malaysian iX models do not have the dual-axle air suspension feature that is available in other markets. But you won’t miss it as the standard suspension already does a brilliant job at absorbing everything that Malaysian roads can muster.
And when it comes to charging the iX50, you can do that in just 35 minutes using a DC fast charger or 10 hours and 45 minutes with a 11kW AC wallbox charger.
The BMW iX50 is undoubtedly one of the finest electric cars there is in the market right now, but at RM528,430 (without the extended warranty option), it is also not cheap. But it has a lot to offer for that price in terms of tech and performance that it almost seems worth paying for.
So, considering that a full spec Tesla can nudge RM300,000 and some of the better EV’s are in the RM200,000 region, you just have to wonder if it is perhaps worth saving up to put down a heftier downpayment, so that you can drive around in what is one of the best electric cars to date rather than others that offer a lot but don’t particularly excel at anything.
Specifications:
Motors: Dual Electric
Power: 523hp
Torque: 765Nm
Range: 630km (WLTP)
Charging: 0-80% in 35 mins with DC / 0-100% in 10 hours 45 mins with11kW AC charger
Price (as tested): RM528,430 (without extended warranty program)
EV’s are supposed to be the savior’s of the world by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate the need for dirty petrol, and improve the efficiency of transportation. Ironically, the bulk of the world is presently experiencing soaring temperatures, which consequently are reducing EV range and posing a challenge for EV users.
Recurrent, a battery and range analytics firm located in Seattle, evaluated a variety of EVs in a range of climates to see whether temperatures had an impact on battery health and range. EV range decreased as the temperature rose. When temperatures surpassed 38 degrees Celsius, the range of some EVs was reduced by 31%. EVs had a 5% range loss at 32 degrees Celcius and a 2.8% reduction at 26 degrees Celsius.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have the colour of your car change as you wish, with just the touch of a button? It’s still an idea in science fiction but the BMW Group has developed a technology which can do it. The technology, known as E Ink, was demonstrated on a BMW iX Flow at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022 in Las Vegas this year.
“Since then, we have already introduced further improvements for the technology,” said Stella Clarke, project lead of the BMW iX Flow. “Previously, the changes between colour patterns only took place in a gradual transition. Now, the control electronics have been tweaked to enable instantaneous transformations, resulting in an even more stunning visual effect.”
Neurotechnology to change colours
In a one-off collaboration with the BMW Group, a Munich-based start-up called brainboost has developed a new and improved colour-changing effect using brainwaves. With the help of brainboost, the BMW iX Flow was connected directly to the brain of the delegates at a dialogue platform using an electroencephalograph (EEG), which records the brain’s electrical activity.
“The colour patterns of the BMW iX Flow react to brain activity and reflect the level of activity,” explained brainboost CEO Philipp Heiler. “Once the brain is at rest, the changes of patterns on the iX Flow also become calmer and more rhythmical.”
A special animation was activated if delegates managed to maintain this state for several seconds. Thus, the participants were able to gradually calm and relax their brains under the guidance of the brainboost experts and with the help of neurofeedback via the iX Flow.
Technology behind the colour change
The body of the BMW iX Flow is laminated in a special film containing millions of colour capsules. When stimulated by electrical signals, negatively charged white pigments or positively charged black ones will collect at the surface, thereby changing the exterior colour.
The innovative E Ink technology opens completely new ways of changing the vehicle’s appearance in line with the driver’s aesthetic preferences, the environmental conditions or even functional requirements. By making it possible to alter the body colour and display different patterns, the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink opens up a whole new way of personalising the driving experience.
Apart from a greater degree of personalisation, a customer will also not have to settle for just one colour – he or she can have many more for different occasions! “This gives the driver the freedom to express different facets of their personality or even their enjoyment of change outwardly, and to redefine this each time they sit into their car,” said Clarke.
Colour variability enhances efficiency
A variable exterior colour can also contribute to wellness in the interior and to the efficiency of the vehicle. This is done by taking account of the different abilities of light and dark colours when it comes to reflecting sunlight and the associated absorption of thermal energy. A white surface reflects a lot more sunlight than a black one. By implication, heating of the vehicle and passenger compartment as a result of strong sunlight and high outside temperatures can be reduced by changing the exterior to a light colour. In cooler weather, a dark outer skin will help the vehicle to absorb noticeably more warmth from the sun.
In both cases, selective colour changes can help to cut the amount of cooling and heating required from the vehicle’s air conditioning. This reduces the amount of energy the vehicle electrical system needs and with it also the vehicle’s fuel or electricity consumption.
In an all-electric car, changing the colour in line with the weather can therefore also help to increase the range. In the interior, the technology could, for example, prevent the dashboard from heating up too much.
E Ink technology itself is extremely energy efficient. Unlike displays or projectors, the electrophoretic technology needs absolutely no energy to keep the chosen colour state constant. Current only flows during the short colour changing phase.
The technology is still under development and as with many new advanced technologies, it will be expensive when it is initially offered. But over time, the cost could come down and then everyone can have a colour-changing car (the police won’t be happy!).
In the 1960s, James Bond’s Aston Martin had changing numberplates and in 2021, BMW’s iX Flow featuring E Ink has changing body colours. But just like the feature on James Bond’s car, don’t expect it to be offered on BMWs anytime soon. It is a demonstration of future technology for a model displayed this week at CES 2022 (the consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas) to show how digitisation can be used to adapt the exterior of a vehicle to different situations and individual wishes.
The fluid colour changes are made possible by a specially developed body wrap that is tailored precisely to the contours of the all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle from BMW. When stimulated by electrical signals, the electrophoretic technology brings different colour pigments to the surface, causing the body skin to take on the desired colouration.
More sophisticated personalisation
The use of innovative E Ink technology opens completely new ways of changing the vehicle’s appearance in line with the driver’s aesthetic preferences, the environmental conditions or even functional requirements. The technology thus offers unprecedented potential for personalisation in the area of exterior design and the iX Flow demonstrates this potential to impressive effect.
Already today, the colour chosen for a car is an expression of the driver’s personality. The choice of exterior finishes available for current BMW models covers a wide colour spectrum. In this way, the longing for a wildly expressive, extravagant, or sporty appearance on the outside can be taken into account as well as the desire for an understated, subtle or elegant appearance.
Against this background, the BMW Group is driving the development of the technology so that a new form of personalisation can be experienced both on the outside and in the inside of future production vehicles. Apart from a greater degree of personalisation, a customer will also not have to settle for just one colour – he or she can have many more for different occasions!
“This gives the driver the freedom to express different facets of their personality or even their enjoyment of change outwardly, and to redefine this each time they sit into their car,” said Stella Clarke, Head of Project for the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink. “Similar to fashion or the status ads on social media channels, the vehicle then becomes an expression of different moods and circumstances in daily life.”
Increased efficiency too
A variable exterior colour can also contribute to wellness in the interior and to the efficiency of the vehicle. This is done by taking account of the different abilities of light and dark colours when it comes to reflecting sunlight and the associated absorption of thermal energy. A white surface reflects a lot more sunlight than a black one. By implication, heating of the vehicle and passenger compartment as a result of strong sunlight and high outside temperatures can be reduced by changing the exterior to a light colour. In cooler weather, a dark outer skin will help the vehicle to absorb noticeably more warmth from the sun.
In both cases, selective colour changes can help to cut the amount of cooling and heating required from the vehicle’s air conditioning. This reduces the amount of energy the vehicle electrical system needs and with it also the vehicle’s fuel or electricity consumption. In an all-electric car, changing the colour in line with the weather can therefore also help to increase the range. In the interior, the technology could, for example, prevent the dashboard from heating up too much.
E Ink technology itself is extremely energy efficient (though, at this time, it would be very expensive technology). Unlike displays or projectors, the electrophoretic technology needs absolutely no energy to keep the chosen colour state constant. Current only flows during the short colour changing phase.
Millions of paint capsules
Electrophoretic colouring is based on a technology developed by E Ink that is most well-known from the displays used in eReaders like Kindle. The surface coating of the iX Flow contains many millions of microcapsules, with a diameter equivalent to the thickness of a human hair. Each of these microcapsules contains negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments. Depending on the chosen setting, stimulation by means of an electrical field causes either the white or the black pigments to collect at the surface of the microcapsule, giving the car body the desired shade.
Achieving this effect on a vehicle body involves the application of many precisely fitted ePaper segments. Generative design processes are implemented to ensure the segments reflect the characteristic contours of the vehicle and the resulting variations in light and shadow. The generative design algorithms enable the necessary formability and flexibility required to tailor the ePaper exactly to the design lines of the vehicle.
Laser cutting technologies are used to guarantee high precision in generating each segment. After the segments are applied and the power supply for stimulating the electrical field is connected, the entire body is warmed and sealed to guarantee optimum and uniform colour reproduction during every colour change.
“Digital experiences won’t just be limited to displays [inside the car] in the future. There will be more and more melding of the real and virtual. With the BMW iX Flow, we are bringing the car body to life,” said Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development.
Although the Malaysian government has not provided a ‘roadmap’ or formulated a policy that is appealing enough to investors, BMW Group Malaysia has gone ahead with its own electrification program, albeit in a limited manner. To date, it has introduced a fully electric BMW model (the i3) and also the MINI Electric, as well as a number of models with hybrid powertrains.
Now, the company which brought us EfficientDynamics is pushing ahead with electric vehicles by offering a new-generation of fully electric models which are under the BMW i brand. The upcoming EV portfolio will consist of the iX xDrive40, the iX xDrive40 Sport, iX xDrive50 Sport, iX3 and i4 eDrive40.
BMW iX3
Milestone for BMW Group Malaysia
“The incoming fleet of electric vehicles from BMW i will present all the best possibilities of Sheer Electric Driving Pleasure to loyal BMW customers and EV enthusiasts alike in Malaysia, with no compromise. More importantly, it will also drive the All-New Sustainability Strategy for the BMW Group in Malaysia,” said Hans de Visser, MD of BMW Group Malaysia. “This is a milestone for the BMW Group, even more so for us at BMW Group Malaysia. We have been in the driver’s seat in accelerating innovation, awareness on new and sustainable technology for the automotive industry, shaping the infrastructure for premium electrified vehicles in Malaysia since 2015.”
The iX pioneers ‘Shy Tech’ which is a design principle used by BMW designers that has advanced technology integrated but out of sight, available when needed or explicitly desired. Additionally, the iX will also feature BMW IconicSounds Electric that adds the unmistakable sounds of BMW and BMW M models to the driving experience (bearing in mind that EVs run quietly).
BMW i4 eDrive40
BMW eDrive technology
The cars use BMW eDrive technology for the powertrains and are claimed to have up to 630 kms of range from a fully-charged battery pack. While that’s an impressive range, BMW Group Malaysia has also been working on expanding the recharging network around the country. It is rapidly expanding the BMW i dealer network to key cities across the country and DC Fast Chargers will also be installed at all BMW i dealers for public use to further accelerate the availability of charging infrastructures in Malaysia. Rapid-charging DC Chargers will be made available for quick on-the-go charging at selected dealerships nationwide.
The i4 is said to be epitome of the sustainable sports 4-door Gran Coupe, built with specific focus on electric driving dynamics from the outset. In keeping with its powertrain of the future, the i4 also has advanced styling. Its power output is equivalent to 340 ps which can propel the car from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 5.7 seconds, while covering up to 590 kms before the battery pack is empty. Of course, like an internal combustion engine, how fast the ‘fuel’ is used up is dependent on various factors while driving.
Pre-booking now open
Pre-booking for the new BMW i models can be made on the BMW Shop Online platform with a fee of RM5,000. Registration of interest for the iX xDrive50, iX3 and i4 eDrive40 are also open on the official BMW Malaysia website.
Interior of BMW i4 eDrive40
BMW iX3
Customers who purchase BMW i models will enjoy a battery warranty of up to 8 years or 160,000 kms, whichever comes first. Owners of the any new iX models opt to have a BMW 5-Year Extended Warranty and 6-Year Service package at a special rate of RM16,170.
Extras for first 50 customers
Additionally, the first 50 customers to pre-book the iX xDrive40 and iX xDrive40 Sport will receive an exclusive pre-booking advantage. This consists of a complimentary Charging Installation and complimentary 1-year Public Charging Access. This offer will be available until September 22, 2021 (terms and conditions apply).
With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the iX xDrive40 and iX xDrive40 Sport can be owned with a monthly instalment plan starting from RM4,888 and RM5,478, respectively (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a 5-year tenure).
“We look forward to reigniting local interest and uptake for electromobility, in foresight of the much-discussed upcoming Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint. We have partnered with GreenTech Malaysia from the very beginning to grow the local charging infrastructure network as part of our key strategies to shift Malaysia towards a low carbon mobility future. Moving forward, we aim to give Malaysians the confidence to choose electric for their next – or even first – drive. In fact, there are more plans set to activate in the upcoming months that will encourage a positive reception of this future-focused way of mobility, of which we hope will also be strengthened by the upcoming revision of government policies towards electromobility,” Mr. de Visser added.
One of the pleasures for car-lovers is the sound of the engine and the sound of the exhaust, music to their ears, so to speak. While a loud exhaust sound may be disturbing to some, car enthusiasts equate it with performance, the louder the better. In fact, engine sound was considered important enough that, as cars got quieter, some carmakers developed ‘noise generators’ to boost the sound level for the driver’s pleasure.
With the age of electric cars starting, it is apparent that this pleasurable ‘music’ will vanish and in place of throaty growls are the hum and whizzing of electric motors. In fact, electric cars are so quiet that manufacturers have to put devices to generate warning sounds for pedestrians.
‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ has been a promise of every BMW, especially the BMW M models, and this includes the engine and exhaust sounds. Even with electrification and silent powertrains, BMW promises that the pleasurable aural experience will still be present.
The aural experience
Companies like BMW have long sold their products with the promise of driving pleasure, which includes the aural experience. So electrification of its cars can affect that selling point even if driving dynamics can still be maintained.
So the German carmaker is taking a new approach to this matter and aims to provide an ‘emotionally rich aural experience’ to BMW drivers with BMW IconicSounds Electric. This is a sound portfolio created for BMW models that are electrified – both full electric as well as plug-in hybrids (PHEVS). To oversee the development, they have even created a position of Creative Director Sound at the BMW Group, which is currently held by Renzo Vitale.
Hans Zimmer (right) in his studio talking to Renzo Vitale, Creative Director Sound at the BMW Group.
Hans Zimmer creates the sounds
Vitale is collaborating with composer and curator Hans Zimmer (whose award-winning works include The Lion King, Gladiator, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception and Blade Runner 2049), to produce a distinctive driving sound specially for electric BMW M cars.
“Every BMW has its own character, which is reflected in the sound it makes,” said Zimmer. “So for the electrically driven BMW M models, we have developed a driving sound which accentuates their emotional driving experience particularly vividly and ensures their performance can be felt with even greater intensity.”
The work is a continuation of Zimmer’s association with BMW. Earlier, he was involved in the development of an inspiring ready-to-drive sound for electrically-powered BMWs which instils a sense of excitement at the prospect of electric driving when the START/STOP button is pressed. The latest chapter in this collaboration covers drive sounds for the iX and i4, including a differentiated sound for the M-specification version of the i4.
BMW iX
While the hush of electric driving enhances comfort, the driving experience loses a degree of emotionality. This is where BMW IconicSounds Electric steps in to give the experience of ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ with all the senses. In the future, electric driving pleasure will be enhanced by acoustic feedback to every movement of the accelerator. Like the on-board driving modes selectable at the touch of a button, the driving sound also takes its cues from the driving situation and the driver’s personal preferences.
Different sound ‘modes’
In the basic setting, BMW IconicSounds Electric employs a strikingly transparent timbre with spherical components to convey the basic character of an electrically powered BMW model. An immersive and pleasant atmosphere is created initially in the i4 in COMFORT mode but when the accelerator pedal is pushed down hard, the direct relationship between how the car is being driven and the sounds it makes changes: the sound experience deepens as load and speed increase.
In SPORT mode, in particular, the car’s aural spectrum is more dominant and powerful, the sound providing a constant ‘commentary’ on the driving situation. Drive system processes are registered within milliseconds and acceleration, load changes or recuperation given a suitable acoustic accompaniment.
Only when the vehicle is travelling in ECO PRO mode is the acoustic feedback reduced to nothing. Here, the silence of the drive system underscores the driver’s decision to adopt an ultra-efficient driving style.
Electrically-powered BMWs may not have the original sounds of a powerful combustion MPower engine but the electronic sounds created and synchronised with the car’s movements and performance should help to still provide the ‘music’ to enthusiasts’ ears.
In the version developed specifically for electrified BMW M models, the drive sound is charged with extra energy. Overall, the drive system note displays a less harmonious but engagingly rousing and technical sonic profile. Acceleration sparks a rich intensification of the soundtrack’s development, authentically reflecting the car’s performance character.
“When you press the pedal of an M car, you suddenly get goosebumps all over your body,” said Vitale. “We translated this feeling into a drive sound that expresses a fusion of superior power and flowing energy.”
The new IconicSounds Electric drive sounds are expected to feature in the i4 and iX over the course of 2022. In cars with earlier build dates, the new sounds can be imported retrospectively via Remote Software Upgrade, should the customer wish. The new spectrum includes one ready-to-drive sound and one stop sound, plus a driving sound which will be made available in the relevant version for models.
BMW’s iDrive interface has been around for some 20 years now and with each version, users – primarily the driver although it is also designed for passenger use – have gained better interaction and ‘intelligence’ with the system. Soon iDrive8 will make its debut in the new iX and i4 models with a new generation of displays, controls, software, and extremely powerful connectivity and data processing.
The new iDrive 8 can constantly process large amounts of not only self-generated data but also data collected from the BMW Group vehicle fleet to implement the driver’s wishes in a context-related way. Paving the way for greater personalization is BMW ID, a system which recognizes repetitive situations, learns from them and provides suggestions on how functions can be activated accordingly. Remote Software Upgrade allows the new iDrive to benefit from regular over-the-air improvements, integrate additional functions and stay up to date – without the owner having to bring the car to the service centre.
The integration of third-party apps is more comprehensive than ever too. The most important applications in each individual market around the world can be imported seamlessly into the vehicle’s operating system. The display and operation of these apps will be familiar to customers from their smartphones, expanding the functionality of in-car systems.
Simplifying management of systems
BMW’s iDrive appeared in 2001 with the 7-Series of that model year. It ushered in a new era of in-car operating technology with the aim of getting a grip on the constantly expanding array of functions. As more and more electronic systems could be incorporated for safety, comfort or convenience, it was important that the driver manage them easily and intuitively.
The original iDrive Controller in the 2001 7-Series.
A second Controller was also provided for rear occupants to manage the iDrive, with a screen between the seats,
BMW’s paradigm shift with the iDrive minimized the buttons and controls throughout the cockpit and in their place was a colour screen in the centre of the instrument panel (the control display) and a rotary dial on the centre console (the iDrive Controller). This multifunctional system allowed drivers to control a large number of vehicle settings, entertainment, navigation and telecommunications functions with a single operating tool. Within the space of a few years, iDrive effectively became the new industry standard and proved to be extremely future proof.
20 years later, the developers and designers focusing on user interaction and on the user experience have faced a new set of challenges – a constant stream of new functions is joining the fray, functions are gaining in complexity all the time, and operating them needs to become easier and more natural.
The BMW cars of today are intelligent and able to build a detailed picture of their surroundings and make sense of it using modern sensors and data processing. They are permanently connected to the BMW Cloud and therefore benefit from the combined computing power, long-term and real-time data, machine learning, and swarm intelligence generated by the 14 million connected BMW vehicles out on the roads.
The developers of the new iDrive have carried over the car’s expanded technical abilities into an all-embracing user experience distinguished by its intelligent symbiosis of hardware and software. Looking ahead, the car will become an increasingly smart and automated device which maintains a natural dialogue with the user. This interaction will involve the user simply making iDrive aware of their wishes and requests, while the system learns how its user behaves, comes up with suggestions in real time (based on an extensive pool of detailed knowledge) and actively proposes them to the driver – who then only needs to confirm.
What began with the introduction of a rotary dial and a digital display is now an all-encompassing, intelligent, multi-sensory experience tailored to the user. It brings about another paradigm shift – this time to a natural dialogue between the user and their vehicle: more intuitive, personal, but also engaging.
The new iDrive 8
The first BMW vehicle to receive the new iDrive 8 system will be the iX all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). In order to provide an improved interactive experience with this more technologically sophisticated and complex product, voice control and touch functions of the BMW Curved Display are prioritized. The number of buttons and switches has been reduced by almost half compared to current vehicles. At the same time, control clusters for relevant and frequently used basic functions are retained where customers expect to find them.
The control panels on the center console and instrument panel have an all-new minimalist design. The familiar iDrive Controller is the central control element. The Touch Controller is designed in an extremely smart glass-effect finish while the colour and materials used for the centre console give it a very sophisticated appearance.
The Controller is enclosed by a panel with a High-gloss Black frame, a glass-effect surface and white backlit buttons. On the centre console, the control surface with active haptic inputs subdivided by feeler bars is used to select the iDrive menus, My Modes and other functions. The Controller, the rocker switch for gear selection, the audio roller control and the seat adjustment buttons can also be specified in an optional polished crystal finish.
The new generation of iDrive brings with it a new design language with eye-catching graphics, modern colors, futuristic textures and forms and expanded use of light to create an immersive visual experience. At the same time, the user interface has been optimized to present just the right amount of information in an easy-to-understand way.
The extensive individualization options available for the screens in the instrument display can be accessed quickly via the function keys on the steering wheel. The two-axis operating system enables user-friendly vertical list navigation of on-screen content with the rotating key, as well as toggling between menus by tilting the key horizontally.
BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant
The new generation of iDrive also brings additional abilities for the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. For a more personal interaction, users can still give the system a name of their choice, which they then use as a prompt. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant has an important role to play in creating a natural dialogue between the user and their vehicle. The personal assistant is the central interaction interface with the user – the ‘face’ of the in-car intelligence.
To also enable non-verbal communication with the vehicle occupants in the future, the user experience designers gave the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant a visual form that also allows it to display gestures. This was based on studies with test persons who were asked to answer selected questions non-verbally. Their movements were recorded, and patterns were established in how certain moods and activities were expressed. These patterns were carried over to the new geometry of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant’s visual image with the help of insights from art, as used in the making of animated films.
The personal assistant follows the shy tech principle of design in terms of how and where it is visible. When it is spoken to, it appears in a fluid animation on the relevant screen (information or center control) area and spreads out over the displays. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant can distinguish who is talking to it. If the driver is actively engaged, the Intelligent Personal Assistant’s visual image appears in the right-hand area of the information display or in the BMW Head-Up Display and signals its readiness to accept spoken instructions. If prompted by the front passenger, the assistant’s image appears in the right-hand area of the BMW Curved Display
When interacting with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and using the new iDrive 8, drivers benefit from increased personalization of the user experience based on the BMW ID. Current BMW ConnectedDrive customers are able to use their existing credentials to access their BMW ID. In future, it will be possible to securely store more personalized settings in the BMW ID and transfer them between vehicles. Once the BMW ID has been loaded, the driver will receive a personal greeting which will include the customized profile image that can be uploaded in the My BMW App.
Technology and connectivity
The iDrive 8 is the most powerful and encompassing technology ever created by BMW. In recent years, there has been a huge increase in the software scopes for the iDrive system. Today, BMW’s iDrive handles a wide array of tasks that extend far beyond a conventional display and operating concept. These range from integrating telematics and connected services to data processing and preparation, connecting to devices and deep integration of third-party apps or projected modes, as well as seamless integration of cloud-based services like BMW Maps.
The BMW Group has been developing the central control unit and software integration platform in-house, entirely on Linux since 2013. Having complete control over software is crucial for creating a stable, upgradeable, high-quality system that distinguishes the brand. In the past, the BMW display and iDrive system has been overhauled on average every 3 years, a cycle that is roughly half as long as the complete product development cycle for a vehicle.
In the era of fast-paced digital development, it is no longer enough to completely update a model’s digital features every three years, and this resulted in a fundamental change of approach in 2018. The arrival of Remote Software Upgrade means owners have been able to keep their vehicle up to date with the latest software at all times. New functions can be imported quickly and easily over the air, either using the car’s built-in SIM card or via the My BMW App. Remote Software Upgrade has a crucial role to play in the new iDrive 8 by offering the possibility of performing extremely complex and large software updates in areas such as driving assistance and partial automation.
5G mobile technology
The iX will be the first premium model available worldwide that is compatible with 5G mobile technology. 5G offers extremely high data bandwidth and low latency – meaning fast data transmission – and also expands the possibilities for connectivity between the vehicle and its environment. It forms the basis for real-time reception and transmission of large volumes of data and sensor system information to the BMW Cloud. Together with the quality of service offered by the 5G network, this will bring about significant enhancements and innovations in the areas of entertainment, infotainment, automated driving and road safety. The iDrive 8 has been prepared for making optimum use of the data speeds offered by 5G.
BMW iX, an all-electric SAV, will be the first model to have the new iDrive 8 system.
With a year still to go before its market launch at the end of 2021, the BMW Group is providing a first look ahead to the future BMW iX, the production reality of the BMW Vision iNEXT. Currently undergoing extensive development work, the iX is the first model based on a new, modular, scalable future toolkit developed by the Group.
Conceived from the outset for purely electric mobility, the iX sees BMW redefining the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept that it introduced in the late 1990s with the X5. Just as the X5 was a pioneering model for the carmaker, so too is the iX which is the first representative of what the company promises to be ‘a trailblazing generation of cars’.
The iX harnesses the latest innovations in the fields of electrification, automated driving and connectivity to deliver a mobility experience with people at its core. To this end, its design has been developed from the inside out to provide quality of life and wellbeing for drivers and passengers.
BMW Group’s new technology flagship
The design and technology of the iX form an overall package that lays the foundations for what is in many respects a new kind of driving experience. In so doing, it comprehensively embodies the character of the BMW i brand, whose mission is to transform personal mobility. BMW i plays a central role at the BMW Group as a ‘workshop for the future’ and driver of innovation across the company.
Testing the BMW eDrive systemThe iX will go into production at BMW Plant Dingolfing from the second half of 2021 as the BMW Group’s new technology flagship. It brings together the company’s latest developments in the strategic innovation fields of Design, Automated Driving, Connectivity, Electrification and Services. Added to which, the vehicle concept and design of the iX are rooted in an all-embracing approach to sustainability. This is reflected in areas of the car such as its optimised aerodynamics, intelligent lightweight design and extensive use of natural and recycled materials
Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology
The iX will adopt the BMW eDrive technology and the fact that this technology is in the fifth generation shows how far the BMW Group has come in the field. The eDrive comprises two electric motors, the power electronics, the charging technology and the high-voltage battery – and guarantees exceptional operating and running efficiency.
The power unit developed by the BMW Group has been manufactured sustainably without the use of critical raw materials known as rare earths and will, by the most recent calculations, develop maximum output of more than 370 kW – equivalent to 500 hp. That will power the iX from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5.0 seconds, it is claimed.
At the same time, the vehicle’s clear aim is to post an exceptionally low combined electric power consumption figure for its segment of less than 21 kWh per 100 kilometres in the WLTP test cycle. A gross energy content of more than 100 kWh should enable the latest-generation high-voltage battery to record a range of over 600 kms in the WLTP cycle. That equates to more than 480 kms according to the US EPA’s FTP-75 test procedure.
10 minutes for over 120 kms range
The new charging technology of the iX enables DC fast charging at up to 200 kW. In this way, the battery can be charged from 10% – 80% of its full capacity in under 40 minutes. For those who are in a hurry and cannot spend too much time on recharging, 10 minutes of recharging will provide a range of over 120 kms (this of course depends on driving conditions). It is projected to take less than 11 hours to charge the high-voltage battery from 0 to 100% at 11 kW from a Wallbox.
The battery pack fitted in the iX is designed as part of a long-term resource cycle and enable an exceptionally high recycling rate. The power used to produce the battery cells for the battery pack as a whole come exclusively from renewable sources.
New technology toolkit
The new technology toolkit making its debut in the iX also provides the platform for significant progress in the areas of automated driving and digital services. For example, the level of computing power has been developed to process 20 times the data volume of previous models. As a result, around double the amount of data from vehicle sensors can be processed than was previously possible.
“We are setting new industry standards with the technology in the BMW iX. The iX has more computing power for data processing and more powerful sensor technology than the newest vehicles in our current line-up. 5G-capable, it will be given new and improved automated driving and parking functions and uses the high-performing fifth generation of our electric drive system,” said Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development.
Familiar but fresh design
50 years ago, when cars of the future were displayed at motorshows, they either looked way too extreme or were small bubbles on wheels. However, the iX, while having a pioneering character, has familiarity in its design. It is not extreme, but the exterior represents a distinctive re-imagining of the proportions of a large BMW SAV.
The iX is comparable with the X5 in length and width, and is almost the same height as the X6 on account of its flowing roofline. The size of its wheels would bring to mind the larger X7. The minimalist use of character lines and generously shaped surfaces conjure an aura of supreme assurance. The crisp lines, clear structure and almost rectangular contours around the wheelarches contribute to an imposing body design with optimised aerodynamics.
At the centre of the front end stands the prominent, vertically emphasised kidney grille. Since the electric drive system requires only a small amount of cooling air, the kidney grille is completely blanked off. Its role has duly turned digital and here it functions as an ‘intelligence panel’. Camera technology, radar functions and other sensors are integrated into the grille behind a transparent surface.
Developed and produced at the BMW Group’s LuTZ lightweight design and technology centre, the kidney grille for the BMW iX presents a technologically lavish advertisement for intelligent mobility. The grille has reinvented itself as an innovative and multifunctional high-tech interface for the advanced driver assistance systems with which the iX paves the way for automated driving.
Discreetly integrated technology
The exterior design highlights also include the slimmest headlight units ever to feature on a volume-produced model from BMW; the flush-fitted door openers (operated at the press of a button); the frameless side windows; the tailgate (which has no separation joints and extends across the whole of the rear) and the likewise extremely slim rear lights.
The BMW kidney grille is not the only example of how the principle of ‘shy tech’ has been integrated into the design of the BMW iX: an array of other cameras and sensors are likewise positioned discreetly, the filler neck for the windscreen washer fluid is concealed under the BMW logo on the bonnet and the rear-view camera has been integrated into the BMW logo on the tailgate. The technology stays in the background and only becomes apparent as and when the relevant functions are called into action.
“The BMW iX shows how we can give new technologies a very modern and emotionally engaging design. The car is technologically highly complex, but it feels very clear and uncomplicated,” explained Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice-President BMW Group Design. “The BMW iX offers a mobile living space in which people will feel at ease and the car’s intelligence is always available without becoming obtrusive.”
Interior design: people at centre stage
A high level of spaciousness, a mixture of high-quality materials, newly developed seats with integral head restraints and an exceptionally large panoramic glass roof immerse all 5 seats of the cabin in a luxurious, lounge-like ambience. The all-new architecture of the iX cabin underpins a perfectly clear and straightforward functionality that revolves entirely around the needs and emotions of the driver and their fellow occupants.
The drive concept means there is no centre tunnel, adding to the open, airy feel while also allowing extra legroom in the front and rear, sufficient space for storage facilities, and a centre console crafted to look like a high-quality piece of furniture.
The displays and controls are all stripped down to the essentials, further reinforcing the impression of an uncluttered cabin offering a place of relaxation. The technology used intelligently and only becomes visible when it is needed. This makes it intuitive to use rather than seeming overly complex.
The Head-Up Display’s projector is discreetly recessed into the instrument panel, so it is almost invisible. The hexagonally shaped steering wheel, a rocker switch for gear selection and the BMW Curved Display – which forms part of the next-generation BMW Operating System – clearly advertise the futuristic cockpit.
Intelligent lightweight design
The energy and range of the iX benefit from innovative solutions in the areas of lightweight design and aerodynamics. Its body structure, featuring an aluminium spaceframe and innovative Carbon Cage, can claim extremely high torsional stiffness, which in turn enhances agility and maximises occupant protection, while minimising weight. The intelligent material mix, with a variety of materials employed exactly where their specific properties can be utilised to best effect, is unique in this segment.
Together with the superior aerodynamics (0.25 Cd), the intelligent material mix helps to endow the iX with remarkably composed, relaxed driving characteristics combined with instant, precise response to every movement of the accelerator and turn of the steering wheel.
