BMW is now capable of producing a vehicle that can change colour on the fly – at least in concept form.
The brand’s new electrophoretic colouring technology has made its show debut on the iX large electric SUV, harnessing the same E Ink capability used on popular e-reader devices like the Amazon Kindle.
The entire surface of the BMW iX has been coated in millions of microcapsules which, when charged with electricity, force either black or white pigments to come closest to the surface to give the car a unique shade.
The BMW iX can transition from black to grey to white!
Think of the screen used on a Kindle e-reader, it is similar technology
The technology is the pride and joy of Australian-born designer Stella Clarke, who is Head of Project for this unique colour changing car.
But the colour changing ‘paint’ isn’t just a party trick. A variable colour exterior can increase efficiency in terms of heat from the sun. As most know, white is more reflective of light and therefore heat than black, which reduces extra pressure put on systems such as air conditioning.
On a hot day, why not change the colour to white to help cool down the interior a touch? It’s a smart idea and one which might encourage other brands to follow.
Unfortunately this is just a concept and not available as an option on regular iXs
What about the car itself?
The BMW iX is a pretty fancy looking SUV produced by BMW and it will begin to hit Australian roads and find homes in the first quarter of this year.
While the electrophoretic colouring tech isn’t yet ready for the production iX, it’s certainly an area to watch over the coming years.
It’s been priced at $135,900 before on-road costs for the entry level xDrive40 and will run right up to $169,900 for the xDrive50 Sport model.
The iX M60 will be a missile on wheels when it launches this year
A higher spec performance variant called the M60 will have around 440kW of power which is plenty enough for the weekly shopping run.
The xDrive40 will be powered by two electric motors producing 240kW of power and 630Nm of torque. The headlining (for now) xDrive50 Sport makes 385kW of power and 765Nm of torque.
The 1 millionth electric car sold by BMW was in fact a BMW iX xDrive40
For the higher performance xDrive50 Sport variant, it is fitted with a 105.2kWh usable battery pack which gives the car a maximum range of 630km on the WLTP cycle.
The BMW iX has been designed to compete with cars such as the Mercedes-Benz EQC, Audi e-tron and Tesla Model X which are all already on sale here in Australia.
BMW iX 2022: pricing in Australia
Prices listed are before on-road costs and options.
- iX xDrive40 – $135,900
- iX xDrive40 Sport – $141,900
- iX xDrive50 Sport – $169,900
- Comfort Package – $ 5,300
- Enhancement Package (xDrive40 only) – $9,500
- Indulgence Package (xDrive40 Sport/xDrive50 Sport only) – $8,500