Since BMW gave its largest electric SUV a facelift at the beginning of the year, there hasn’t been much new about the iX. This is hardly surprising, as things naturally become quieter in the second half of the product life cycle. Bavaria’s striking zero-emission luxury ship is now making headlines again for an unexpected reason.
The company’s Italian branch presented a new iX to the Holy Father as part of a special handover event. Outgoing BMW boss Oliver Zipse attended the meeting where Pope Leo XIV received the keys to an xDrive60 model with an M Sport package. Massimiliano Di Silvestre, President and CEO of BMW Italy, explained why the automaker chose an electric vehicle:
“We had the privilege of giving a BMW iX60 to Pope Leo
This is no small gift from BMW. If you look at the prices in Italy, this configuration starts at just under €110,000. The iX xDrive60 is assembled at the Dingolfing factory in Germany and is unlikely to get a second generation. With the introduction of the iX5 next year and the iX7 in 2027, these electric SUVs will likely make the iX obsolete. The iX is expected to be phased out in mid-2028, and an iX6 should also have been added to the product range by then.
It’s worth noting that the iX isn’t the first BMW to be presented to the head of the Catholic Church. A customized R 18 Transcontinental was handed over in Vatican City at the beginning of the year. The unique bike with the Pope’s signature, donated by BMW Motorrad Germany, was later auctioned off at RM Sotheby’s for 156,000 euros. All proceeds go to Missio Austria, a fundraising organization run by the sovereign of the Vatican City. The funds are used to support children in Madagascar.
