BMW is continuing its foray into the future with a pair of new, built-from-the-tyre-treads-up models: the i4 and the iX.
A quick glance at the pictures will tell you what you need to know regarding what to expect – one is a sedan, the other an SUV. And they're both fully electric, which is a first for Beemer.
The main point is these new vehicles have, the manufacturer says, been made with sustainability in mind. The car maker's materials division apparently set targets on parts procurement and sourcing before the project started, and it has worked with suppliers to try and ensure those goals were met.
All very noble, but what of the new shiny metal, though?
The i4 is a four-door gran coupe that combines “hallmark spaciousness and practicality with the sporting ability for which BMW is renowned, and a range that also convinces over long journeys”.
All very good, but that last bit is important, as the amount of distance you can get out of a single charge is still paramount to those toying with a non-fossil-fuel-powered vehicle.
Two models will be available – the M50 and the iDrive40 – and both are closely related to the petrol-powered 4 Series coupe. The main difference between these two is the latter is rear-wheel drive and a little slower. You do get more distance out of it, though, with the first running to 510 kilometres, and the second managing 590km.
Power-wise, the M50 has 400 kilowatts (or 544 horsepower) to play with, and the iDrive 40 has 250kW (340hp). The faster of the two can get to 100 kilometres per hour in 3.9 seconds, with its stablemate managing the same in 5.7 seconds.
Styling points include that sizeable kidney grille BMW seems keen on these days (despite the fact the power plant does not actually need cooling), plus swept-back headlights and those distinctly eye-like LED daytime running lamps (or DRLs, for those who like an acronym).
The i4 is expected to go on sale in November. Prices start at about $56,000 for the eDrive40 and $66,895 for the M50.
What about that SUV, then? Well, the iX is based on the Vision iNext concept vehicle that BMW unveiled in 2018. And, like the i4, there are two distinct versions, coming in the shape of the M60 and the xDrive50.
The manufacturer says this one is based on “a new toolkit for the future, whose vast potential for innovations in the areas of automated driving, operation, connectivity and digital services translates into a premium mobility experience unparalleled in this segment”.
Impressive-sounding again, and there is that distinct emphasis that innovation is key here.
The M60 will have a range of 630km and the XDrive50 425km, and it’s the same story with the i4 when it comes to variations in power. The xDrive50 can produce 385kW (523hp), the M60 440kW (600hp). The first of these will be able to hit 100kph from a standing start in 4.6 seconds, but BMW is being a little coy about what the more powerful variant can achieve. This is probably because of its later release date.
The iX definitely has the look of a BMW SUV. At a quick glance, you could easily be looking at an X7, though from certain angles it has a touch of the Range Rover Evoque.
The iX M60 is available early in 2022, with the XDrive50 set for a November launch, like the i4. Prices start at about $84,000 for the XDrive50 and, while what you'll have to pay for the M60 is yet to be confirmed, commentators are suggesting a starting figure will be around the $95,000 mark.
'Tell the Machine Goodnight' by Katie Williams
Penguin Randomhouse
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
Abu Dhabi race card
5pm Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
5.30pm Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
6pm Abu Dhabi Championship Listed | Dh180,000 | 1,600m
6.30pm Maiden | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap | Dh80,000 | 1,400m
7.30pm Handicap (TB) |Dh100,000 | 2,400m
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
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Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
Pushkin Press
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
Mountain%20Boy
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UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Our legal advisor
Rasmi Ragy is a senior counsel at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Prosecutor in Egypt with more than 40 years experience across the GCC.
Education: Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1978.
