BMW’s New iX4 M60 Hits 60 In 3.7 Seconds And Looks Like A Coupe
BMW has pulled the wraps off the iX4, the third model in its Neue Klasse electric lineup, and the range-topping iX4 M60 xDrive is the headline act: 603 horsepower, 645 lb-ft of torque, and a 0–60 time of 3.7 seconds from an SUV coupe that wears a proper M Sport face. That’s not a soft-pedaled EV performance claim — it’s a number that puts real pressure on combustion-powered sport-utility rivals.
The iX4 50 xDrive arrives first, launching in March 2027 at $66,200, with the M60 following later in the year. Both variants ride on BMW’s 800V Gen6 eDrive architecture, carry M Sport as standard equipment, and come with a full-length panoramic sunroof. BMW is clearly positioning the iX4 as proof that the Neue Klasse transition doesn’t require trading sportiness for electrons.
The iX4 M60 xDrive: What 603 HP Feels Like on Paper
The M60 xDrive pairs an electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) at the rear axle with an asynchronous motor (ASM) at the front, producing a combined 603 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. BMW says the sprint to 62 mph takes 3.9 seconds in international trim, with the U.S.-market 0–60 figure coming in at an estimated 3.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically capped at 149 mph.
The M60’s rear EESM is a new Gen6 variant built around a more powerful inverter — 420 amps versus 300 amps in the standard iX4 50 — and a newly developed stator. That hardware upgrade is what pushes continuous output and peak torque beyond what the base model can manage. An electronically controlled M Sport differential at the rear axle handles traction when the power gets aggressive in corners, and Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled, independently adjustable dampers comes standard on the M60 (it’s an option on the 50).
The iX4 50 xDrive Sets a High Baseline
Before the M60 arrives, the iX4 50 xDrive carries the launch. Its dual-motor setup delivers 463 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, with a 0–60 time of 4.7 seconds and a 130-mph top speed. The 112.2-kWh usable battery supports a preliminary estimated range of up to 428 miles, and the 800V architecture enables 400-kW DC fast charging — enough to add 184 miles of range in 10 minutes. A full 10-to-80-percent charge takes 21 minutes at a compatible high-power station.
Every iX4 comes standard with the M Sport package, which includes 20-inch M light-alloy wheels and model-specific exterior detailing. The M60 steps up to 21-inch wheels as standard, with 22-inch M aerodynamic wheels available exclusively for the flagship. Both models can tow up to 4,400 lbs when equipped with the optional trailer hitch.
Heart of Joy and the Tech That Makes It Drive Like a BMW
The iX4’s driving dynamics run through what BMW calls the Heart of Joy — a central control system that operates up to 10 times faster than the systems in previous BMW models. It manages the drive system, braking, recuperation, steering, and charging subfunctions simultaneously, reducing the number of corrective inputs the stability system needs to make mid-corner. The result, BMW says, is more consistent and reproducible cornering behavior with less electronic noise in the background.
Recuperative braking handles virtually all deceleration in everyday driving, and BMW’s Soft Stop feature allows the car to come to a complete halt without friction brakes or any perceptible jerk. The optional Highway Assistant enables hands-free driving at up to 85 mph on compatible roads — a feature BMW says previous-generation users have already logged over 143 million miles with. Bidirectional charging is standard across the iX4 lineup, turning the battery into a mobile power source for Vehicle-to-Load and Vehicle-to-Home applications.
M Yellow Lights, Iconic Glow, and a Cabin Built Around the Driver
The iX4 M60’s front end borrows visual cues directly from BMW’s GT racing cars. The optional M Yellow Lights are the most obvious nod, but progressive light elements flanking the kidney grille — each comprising three components inspired by the M stripes — give the M60 a distinct face that reads differently from the standard iX4 at a glance. The M60 also gets the BMW Iconic Glow exterior package as standard, adding illuminated kidney grille depth and rear area lighting; it’s an option on the iX4 50.
Inside, the iX4 runs BMW Panoramic iDrive with Operating System X: a 17.9-inch free-cut central display, BMW Panoramic Vision projecting information across the full width of the lower windshield, and an optional 3D Head-Up Display above it. Amazon Alexa+ AI integration handles voice control, and the system supports up to seven individual BMW ID profiles. The M60 gets an exclusive M Sport steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock marker, shift paddles, and dedicated buttons for Boost Mode and M Mode — plus a Powermeter display showing live output, reserves, and recuperation rate.
The iX4 50 xDrive opens order books now ahead of its March 2027 launch. BMW M loyalists waiting for the M60 will have to hold on a little longer — production begins in March 2027 with a staged market rollout to follow. Both models are built at BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Hungary.
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