- bmw has revealed a performance version of its ix electric suv, the ix m60.
- the m60 can produce up to 610 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque, sending it to 60 mph in a claimed 3.6 seconds.
- air suspension comes standard on the m60, and the performance trim gains optional 22-inch wheels and blue, m-branded brake calipers.
bmw's m performance brand is preparing for the future. after launching the i4 m50—the first electric bmw to don an m badge—last fall, bmw has turned up the wick on its new electric suv to create the ix m60. although there is little to visually distinguish the m60 from the standard ix, the new performance variant receives a dollop of extra power and oodles of standard equipment.
like the 516-horsepower ix xdrive50, the m60 is all-wheel drive with an electric motor on each axle. with sport mode activated, these motors now churn out 610 hp, and with launch control engaged there is 811 pound-feet of torque on tap. these potent numbers fire the 5769-pound ix m60 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, according to bmw, before topping out at 155 mph.
while adaptive air suspension is an option on the xdrive50 model, it comes standard on the ix m60, paired with a double-wishbone setup up front and a multilink suspension at the rear. the air suspension features electronically controlled shock absorbers and can adjust its height depending on speed and load on each individual wheel. the height can also be controlled via a button on the center console, and the drive modes alter the damper mapping to adjust the handling and ride quality.
design changes are subtle. blue, m-branded brake calipers peek out behind available unique 22-inch wheels, and there are black m logos on the rear hatch. lots of interior goodies come standard, including bmw's speech and gesture control system, a bowers & wilkins surround sound system, and a heated steering wheel and seats.
on the standard 21-inch wheels, bmw says the ix m60 will travel 280 miles, a slight dip from the xdrive50's range. (no figure was announced for the 22-inch wheels.) the ix m60 will start at $106.095, about 20 grand more than the xdrive50 model, when it goes on sale in the united states this june.