Munich, Germany-headquartered BMW is using its Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) participation to showcase not only its current portfolio but, more significantly, give a glimpse at the direction it is headed as a mobility brand.
“Electric vehicles are gaining traction in the Philippines as a long-term solution to sustainable mobility. At BMW, we have long recognized this. Now that the BMW iX is now available in the Philippines, the market can expect BMW in the Philippines more electrification to come,” SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation President Spencer Yu said in a statement.
Formally launched in the Philippines last April, the iX is BMW’s first all-electric SAV (or Sports Activity Vehicle, the brand’s parlance for SUV), and is touted as the company’s “technology flagship.”
Yu said at the launch to this writer, “The (iX) range is 370 kilometers — easily more than what a person will drive in a day… For longer out-of-town trips, that is something we still have to work on — especially with public charging.” BMW reported that it is “perfectly geared to blending superb ride comfort with sporty handling characteristics.” The iX is highlighted by an aluminum spaceframe construction and a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the roof and at the sides and rear — simultaneously resulting in increased rigidity and minimized weight. A drag coefficient of 0.25 also helps to positively impact range.
To help with the vehicle’s center of gravity, the high-voltage battery of the iX is positioned low on the underbody.
Weight has been evenly distributed for more nimble handling — a quality further enabled by a double-wishbone front axle, five-link rear axle, lift-related dampers and an electric steering system with Servotronic function and a variable ratio. An all-wheel-drive system in the BMW iX “transmits exactly the right amount of drive torque to the front and rear wheels in all driving situations.” It can range from a pure rear-wheel-driven mode to an all-wheeler. The brand’s fifth-generation eDrive technology iX is “centered around a drive unit which brings together the electric motor, power electronics, and transmission within a single housing,” to result in both power density and efficiency — not to mention the economical use of installation space in the area between the front and rear axle.
Added Yu, “We’re not only aiming for a greener future. As part of the San Miguel Group, we are also prioritizing EV education and setting up the proper infrastructure to ensure that we are creating a good foundation for what lies ahead.”
Aside from the iX and the current portfolio of BMW Philippines, the brand’s PIMS booth will also feature a lounge, play corner, and Lifestyle Merchandise area. More information will be released on the social media channels of the distributor.