For the current issue of the eMove360° magazine in german language (download here for free) we drove to the Eco Lodge Fuchsegg in the Bregenzerwald with the 500 hp BMW iX xDrive50. The drive itself is an experience and the amazement and testing of the functions of the electric SUV flagship fly by. Then it’s time to arrive, breathe a sigh of relief and charge the batteries in the middle of meadows and forests – somewhere in the middle of nowhere
By Sabine Metzger
The road meanders gently up the mountain to Schetteregg. Here, where only meadows, forests and idyllic villages with the wooden shingle houses typical of the Bregenzerwald are waiting, Carmen Can and her family opened the Eco Lodge Fuchsegg in October 2020. Inspired by the character of the mountain pasture settlements, it was created as a six-part building ensemble – with a great feeling for the beauty of nature, for the Bregenzerwald craftsmanship, for local wood and the blueberry as inspiration.
A FAVORITE PLACE
“The environment has a major impact on our well-being. And my family and I have noticed for years how good a stay in Schetteregg is for us. We would like to pass that on to our guests.” We have succeeded: on these weekends we feel completely at ease – with a morning swim with a view of the mountains, on a ski tour to the Bullerschkopf, while sweating in the sauna house, while browsing on the daybed. After two days, our batteries are charged and so are those of our BMW iX xDrive50, which had a cozy charging spot in the “Tenn”.
WOW MOMENTS in the BMW iX xDrive50
Our test car was also responsible for some feel-good moments this weekend. “WOW, is it big,” we think as we sneak around the BMW iX xDrive50 for the first time. With a length of almost five meters and a width of just under two meters (without exterior mirrors), it is certainly not a city runabout, but despite its 2.6 tons curb weight it flows surprisingly elegantly over the road and is a very pleasant travel companion for motorway and overland journeys. The second “WOW” comes for acceleration. We can confirm 4.6 seconds from zero to 100 km/h. Facts: two electric motors (258 hp, 313 hp), a system torque of 765 Newton meters, batteries with a total energy content of 111.5 kWh. The interior presents itself as ultra-modern, finely arranged and with plenty of space. Another WOW escapes us as we sink into the armchairs – the word seats would be an understatement: not too soft, perfectly ergonomic and they even massage. The display curved towards the driver is particularly impressive. We had to make friends with the operation, primarily via menus on the central touch screen, which is not quite as intuitive. We keep checking the tiles on the display. Practical: When charging, an upper limit for the SOC (State of Charge) can be defined, and you can also specify how high the current that flows in should be. Scheduling options for departure and charging times ensure that the car has a predetermined charge level and a comfortable interior temperature at a desired time.
CURVE STAR: HOCHTANNBERG PASS
Real BMW proverbial driving pleasure comes on the drive home. From Mellau via Schoppernau we climb continuously up to the Hochtannbergpass (1676 m). 900 meters of altitude are spread over 18 kilometers and the incline with a few steeper passages is pleasantly even. While combustion cars first have to get up to speed again from tight hairpin bends, the fully electric SUV has its maximum torque of a powerful 765 Newton meters available from a standing start. That’s really fun. Then it goes down into the Lechtal Steeg, Elbigenalp and Reutte, further on at the Plansee, Linderhof, Ettal to Oberau. Another WOW moment: thanks to recuperation, we gain range when driving downhill; so much that he can handle the 200 km/h without batting an eyelid as we rush over the almost empty A95 from Garmisch to Munich.
Address: Fuchsegg Eco Lodge, Amagmach 1301, 6863 Egg, Austria, Tel. 0043/5512/44544, hallo@fuchsegg.at, www.fuchsegg.at
Charging: 2 universal charging stations
Rooms: 30 residential units
Food: Focus on regional and seasonal cuisine, wine cellar
Relaxation: library, lounge, yoga room, sauna house, year-round heated outdoor pool
Outdoor: hiking, e-mountain biking (Simplon company), skiing, cross-country skiing
Price: from 195 euros per person for bed and breakfast in a double room
Click tip: www.bregenzerwald.com
You can find this and other articles on the subject of mobility 4.0 electrically-connected-autonomously in the current eMove360° magazine in german language. You can order the print version in our shop or download the german digital version here for free.
