BMW iX priced from £69,905

BMW’s first stand-alone electric SUV, the iX, will be priced from £69,905 when it arrives in UK dealerships in November.

Billed as a rival for the Audi e-Tron and Mercedes EQC, the iX has a simliar footprint to the existing X5.

It represents a new take on BMW design, sporting the same oversized front grille as the recently-launched M3 and 4 Series models. The same look will feature on the upcoming i4.

There is also a new generation of technology inside, presented by two large wraparound digital displays and a lower button count than in other BMW models. The iX is the first BMW to use iDrive version 8 software, which includes a voice-activated digital assistant.

Two powertrain choices will be offered at launch. The entry-level iX xDrive40 will serve up 326PS and provide a maximum range of 257 miles from its 70kWh battery.

The more potent xDrive50 version has 523PS and a range of 380 miles, thanks to a 100kWh battery.

Both utilise a twin-motor setup, which enables high levels of traction by sending power to all four wheels when necessary. To maximise efficency, the iX can operate purely as a rear-wheel-drive car too.

Acceleration from 0-62mph takes just 4.6 seconds in the more powerful xDrive50, while the xDrive40 completes the sprint in 6.1 seconds.

Sport and M Sport derivatives will be available with both powertrain options.

The xDrive50 version can charge at up to 195kW, while the maximum charging capacity of the xDrive40 is 150kW. This means that a ten-minute plug-in time provides sufficient energy to add more than 50 miles of range. In both model variants, the battery’s charge can be increased from 10 to 80%  of its full capacity in under 40 minutes.

BMW iX pricing: