The BMW iX Does Pretty Well On A Dirt Gymkhana

Of the activities at BMW Challenge 2023, one of the most interesting is the Dirt Gymkhana with the opulent and grandiose BMW iX.

Fielding a heavy SUV, more suited for school run duties, for such a challenge takes some confidence on BMW’s part. Given the tight turns and even a U-turn of the Dirt Gymkhana, the iX seemed ill-suited for what’s to come.

Furthermore, the instantaneous torque of an EV surely will make navigating such a low-grip situation tricky, as opposed to ICE engines which are more easily modulated.

But you know what, the iX did it, and it accomplished it with surprising finesse.

A key contributor to its success is its dual motor (AWD) setup paired with all-wheel steering. The latter, in particular, gave phenomenal agility that seemed impossible on such a narrow, twisty circuit. With all of the technologies on board, it could do a rather decent impression of a Subaru WRX on the Dirt Gymkhana.

But unlike a WRX that will twist and flex, the Carbon Cage of the iX ensured that none of the undulations and ruts of the track could upset the car. It felt rock solid, protected against all of the harshness thrown at it.

Of course, the iX isn’t perfect, especially on surfaces that normally aren't within its normal remit. Its steering is very light and vague, which is felt even more acutely on the lumpy and sandy surface. Piloting the iX felt a bit like guiding a fishball to one’s bowl from a thick pot of tom yam soup.

On the U-turn, the limitations of the car’s grip can also be felt. If you apply full throttle on the almost 360-degree turn, the car will renege to understeer and only catch on once its front tyres find purchase. Therefore, I had to resort to an unusual method to manage the car’s grip here: by applying the throttle haltingly in quick succession, the nose tucks in way better and thereby reducing understeer. Passengers might feel a tad queasy in this quest for the best lap times, though.

But all’s said and done, let me reiterate again that we drove an iX on a Dirt Gymkana and had serious fun doing so. I think this activity showed me more of the BMW DNA of the iX than I had ever managed to discover on the road. Kudos, BMW.

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