BMW’s iX2 exempt from LCT and FBT

BY PETER BARNWELL | 25th Oct 2023

BMW Australia’s sales position gets another boost next year with the arrival of two new, highly specified BEV models: the iX2 eDrive20 and iX2 xDrive30 with the former priced from $82,900 due mid-2024 and the latter, priced from $85,700 in Q1 2024; both excluding on-road costs.

Not only do the two newcomers extend BMW Australia’s BEV range, both vehicles garner financial benefit for buyers as they are priced below the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) trigger of $89,332 for fuel efficient vehicles.

Fleet buyers of these electric BMWs can further access a Fringe Benefits Tax electric car exemption. Other high spec’ BMW electric models exempt from both tax imposts include the i4 eDrive35, iX3 M Sport, iX1 eDrive20 and iX1 xDrive30 bringing BMW’s low tax BEV choice to six models.

It moves the Bavarian manufacturer further into the lead in terms of BEV product line ups available Down Under.

BMW Australia says the impending arrival of the iX2 BEVs underlines its commitment to future mobility by providing a diverse selection of competitively priced, fully electric vehicles to its customers.

When they roll off the wharf next year, the iX2 eDrive20 and iX2 xDrive30 will mean BMW Australia will have 15 variants across seven fully electric models in its range.

Sweetening the deal for buyers is the company’s captive finance provider, BMW Financial Services that, “extends its commitment to enhancing the ownership experience of its fully electric vehicles through a range of compelling finance offers”.

Central to this offer is the “Full Circle product integrating Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) that provides owners with the flexibility to return their vehicle at the end of the loan period with upfront knowledge of its value”.

Based on sales volume projections the BMW Group anticipates that by next year at least one in five of its new vehicles should have a fully electric drivetrain and by 2025, one in four, and by 2026, one in three.

Extrapolated, it means BMW aims to have more than two million fully electric vehicles on the road by the end of 2025.

Placing more of a focus on the iX2 eDrive20 and iX2 xDrive30 we find the former features a front-mounted drive unit and generates system output of 150kW, including temporary boost. The model has a high-voltage battery with a 64.8kWh usable energy battery enabling a range of up to 477km WLTP.

Adding adaptive recuperation and the Max Range function into the mix contributes to what BMW describes as “outstanding” range figures aided by the latest version of its Max Performance Charging software that optimises efficiency when charging the vehicle.

Stepping up to the iX2 xDrive30 we find “highly integrated” drive units one at the front and one at the rear that together generate a system output of 230kW including temporary boost and 494Nm of system torque.

It enables the iX2 xDrive30 to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds on the way to a v-max of 180km/h.

Power comes from the same high-voltage 64.8kWh battery as the iX2 eDrive20 again optimised through Maximum Performance Charging that enables a range of a claimed 417 – 449km WLTP cycle.

Like the single motor model, the dual motor iX2 also uses adaptive recuperation and the Max Range function along with Max Performance Charging software for charging that can be accomplished from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes.

Both iX2 variants and the iX1s – are the only battery electric models in the compact premium segment to provide 22kW on board AC charging capability as standard equipment.

A Flexible Fast Charger comes with the iX2 xDrive30 for charging at home sockets as well as a Mode 3 charging cable and a 12-month subscription to the national Chargefox network while details of the iX2 eDrive20 package will be announced in the lead up to local launch next year.

The iX2s features similar styling and technology elements with BMW’s petrol powered X2 due here next year and boasts a suite of advanced driver and parking assistant systems.

Standard kit in the first to arrive iX2 XDrive30 includes: 19-inch alloys, xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, dual-zone auto climate control, acoustic glazing, adaptive LED headlights, adaptive M Suspension, automatic tailgate, Live Cockpit Pro 10.7-inch, a10.25 -inch curved infotainment widescreen display, featuring Operating System 9, comfort access and digital key and DAB+ digital radio.

From a safety perspective the model gains Driving Assistant and Professional with steering and lane control system, active cruise control including Stop & Go functionality and blind spot monitor.

Other kit includes electric front seat adjust, head up display, instrument panel in Sensatec and the M Sport package.

A comprehensive range of options is available while details of the iX2 eDrive20 due mid-2024 will be available closer to introduction.

2024 BMW iX2 pricing*: