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BMW revealed its first electric SUV,Spain the iX, earlier this year to much fanfare after taking a concept car and turning it into the real thing.

Now BMW is upping the ante with a performance version of the iX. The iX M60 model introduced at the CES technology conference on Tuesday will still boast the iX’s dual motors and range of over 300 miles, but it'll go a lot faster. Its max speed will now be 155 mph, compared to the iX's 125 mph peak.

BMW's Johann Kistler called it "BMW's most powerful battery EV" during a press briefing on the car — with the term “battery EV” presumably distinguishing it from BMW’s line of hybrid and hydrogen-powered cars. The M in any BMW model is the brand's sports car designation, meaning the iX M60 is equipped with features like a sports quality suspension in addition to being able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, shaving off a second from its predecessor’s record. In the briefing, Kistler practically purred when he called the iX M60 "top of the line."

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Before the iX was unveiled last year, BMW’s EV line only included the electric compact sedan, the i3. Now it's ramping up its EV clout with the i4 sports car and different versions of the iX. More EVs are plannedfor BMW in the next few years, including an all-electric 7 Series.

The original iX, for comparison. Credit: BMW The M Series is faster. Credit: BMW

And yet, the iX M60 (like the iX before it) has the look of a classic BMW SUV, with the recognizable kidney grille that the German brand is known for. The M series EV will still have the self-healing surfacethat removes all dents, scratches, and nicks with enough heat (just some California sunshine is sufficient, BMW reps said). 

Credit: BMW Credit: BMW

The first electric performance BMW is supposed to arrive later this year. The iX is priced at $84,195 but BMW still hasn’t announced what it will cost to get the extra oomph of the M60.

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Topics CES Electric Vehicles

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