BMW iX EV pick-up imagined

The electric Ford F-150, Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck have proved there’s strong customer demand for battery-powered 4x4 dual-cab utes – and this could be just the impetus BMW needs to finally enter the pick-up segment.

There is nothing official on the horizon, but KDesign has put it firmly on the agenda with this lifestyle ute version of the just-revealed BMW iX electric SUV.

There are precedents, of course, including an officially sanctioned pick-up concept that emerged last year based on the BMW X7, a less convincing X3-based tray-back from 2014, and the one that started the hype almost a decade ago, the 2011 M3-based two-door performance ute that began life as an April Fools’ Day exercise.

Since then, BMW executives have at various times voiced their support, and sometimes contempt, for developing a ute, and the oft-heard official line was “never say never”.

This still holds true as car manufacturers (and several start-ups) increasingly jump into the electric pick-up truck market with models offering high-torque motors, big towing capacities and an ever-improving range.

The German prestige brand’s deepening technical relationship with Toyota also gives it access to several ute platforms.

BMW dubs Mercedes X-Class “appalling”

Featuring the same bold front-end design as the BMW iX, which will arrive in Australia later in 2021, the KDesign ute’s oversized twin-kidney grille blends with a dual-cab body style to ensure room for up five passengers.

With roof rails and a small rear tray added, a jacked-up ride height, wheel-arch extensions and lower body protection, the BMW iX pick-up looks ready for adventure.

We imagine this creation would offer a similar 600km-plus range as its grounded-in-reality SUV sibling. BMW is still keeping a few secrets about the new EV set-up to itself, but has said the lithium-ion battery pack’s density is greater than 100kWh.

In terms of powertrain, this unofficial dual-cab creation would most likely be offered with the same electric motor layouts as the BMW iX SUV, which includes the following:

Dual motor – 370kW
Triple motor – 530kW

Both set-ups have a motor at each axle, with the triple featuring two power units at the rear axle. The latter is still in the prototype phase, but it’s understood BMW is keen to roll it out soon, which could underpin future M electric vehicles.

Charging for the brawny 4x4 ute won’t take long if its donor vehicle is anything to go by, with a 200kW fast-charger adding 120km of range every 10 minutes.

One would expect the BMW iX’s interior concept would be ported over to the BMW ute, which employs ‘shy-tech’ or tech systems that are powerful but unobtrusive. There’s a massive 14.9-inch curved instrument cluster and a large 12.3-inch touch-screen multimedia system in the middle of the dash.

BMW has also installed a huge head-up display, which would no doubt be augmented with approach and departure angles and wading depth overlays for an application such as this.

As utes, pick-up trucks, off-road beasts and 4x4s continue to find their way onto car buyers’ shopping list, we’re going to see more and more of these vehicles, including those using alternative power sources.

What do you think? Should BMW try to right the wrongs of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class and create something thought-provoking and genuinely different like an electric ute? Have your say in the comments below.