Will the BMW iX xDrive40 be part of the MY2024 series in the U.S.?

The BMW iX went on sale in the U.S. in March 2022. By March 2023, there were 8,016 units of the iX plying on American roads, with 5,665 units delivered in 2022 and the remaining 2,351 in 2023. Rumors of the cheaper xDrive40 coming to the U.S. have floated on the web since 2021. Will that finally happen with the MY2024 update? Let’s find out. Kindly note that the information and visuals presented in this article represent the current model year, and we will continue to update this page as new information surfaces.

Previous reports on the iX xDrive40

In July 2021, citing g80.bimmerpost.com forum member ynguldyn, BMWBlog reported that the lower xDrive40 variant could be heading to the U.S. market in 2022. The forum post listed the expected start of production dates of future BMW models, and stated March 2022 as the expected SOP date of the U.S.-spec iX xDrive40. A March 2022 SOP would ideally mean a market launch in Q2 2022, which didn’t happen.

In December 2021, BMWBlog claimed that there weren’t plans for the iX xDrive40 in the U.S. in 2022. The BMW-focused publication learned about this development while speaking to BMW of North America in 2021 and said that the 50 variant is seen as the “sweet spot” in the lineup, with a comparable range and competitive pricing for its segment. Unlike the X5, the iX isn’t shipped from the local factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Production of the iX takes place exclusively at the BMW plant in Dingolfing, Germany.

Unlikely to be part of the 2024 iX range in America

It’s highly unlikely that we’ll see the iX xDrive40 at U.S. dealers in 2023, if at all. If the local subsidiary does decide to drive the iX xDrive40 to the U.S. at some point, it could be with a facelift that brings not only design enhancements but also technical revisions for an improved range, possibly in early 2025. The existing iX xDrive40’s range as per EPA’s rating method, if calculated, could be deemed too low by American customers.

Available in select markets globally

In Europe, customer deliveries of the BMW iX xDrive40 commenced in late 2021. BMW Group announced that it had delivered an iX xDrive40 as its one-millionth electrified vehicle on December 6, 2021. The milestone unit, which the company handed over to owners at the iconic BMW Welt in Munich, Germany, was the low-spec iX variant finished in black.

BMW iX xDrive40 specifications

The BMW iX xDrive40 also features a motor on both the front and rear axle. However, these are tuned to generate a lower power and torque than the xDrive50. The front motor develops 190 kW (255 hp) and 290 Nm (214 lb.-ft.), while the rear motor generates 200 kW (268 hp) and 340 Nm (251 lb.-ft.). Together, they offer maximum power and maximum torque of 240 kW (322 hp) and 630 Nm (465 lb.-ft.), respectively. A 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint takes 6.1 seconds, and the top speed is an electronically limited 200 km/h (124 mph).

The xDrive40 variant gets a smaller battery pack with an energy content of 71.0 kWh (net)/76.6 kWh (gross). It operates at a lower voltage of 330.3 V and supports a lower DC fast-charging rate of 150 kW. The maximum AC charging rates are the same, though: 7.4 kW with single-phase connections and 11.0 kW with three-phase connections. Below are official charging times:

As for the range, while the iX xDrive50i can travel up to 633 km (393 miles) on a full charge, the iX xDrive40i goes fully out of charge at 435 km (270 miles). Do note that these are WLTP range figures, applicable in Germany.

BMW iX xDrive40 Price

The iX xDrive50 costs USD 87,100 and an additional USD 995 destination & handling fee. The BMW iX xDrive40 could retail from around USD 70,000 excluding destination & handling charge. For reference, in Germany, the iX xDrive40 and iX xDrive50 cost EUR 77,300 (USD 85,390) and EUR 107,900 (USD 119,192), respectively.

TopElectricSUV says

The iX xDrive40, if launched in the U.S., could offer a maximum EPA est. range of around 220 miles, which may not seem practical to most prospective customers.

On the other hand, BMW has decided not to introduce the current-generation iX1 or iX3 in the U.S. market, and has also discontinued the i3, leaving a gap in the availability of affordable electric vehicle options for most customers. The standard-range version of the iX, at a lower price point, could serve as a stop-gap until dedicated BEVs riding on the Neue Klasse platform begin rolling out, armed with the specs and kit to challenge the Audis and Teslas of the world. Many BMW EV aspirants would welcome the xDrive40, especially buyers who don’t care much about having a long range. However, that’s our theory!

Featured Image Source: BMW Group