BMW Electric Range Grows Down to iX1
New entry battery BMW comes as part of extended new X1 Range.
BMW new third-generation X1 crossover is Munich’s latest mainline model to gain a full battery electric version. The all-new X1 joins BMW X3, 4 and 7 Series in offering an iX1 electric variant for the first time, over and above the standalone electric iX SUV.
New FAAR Platform Now Carries All X1 Variants
The new X1 rides on BMW’s new FAAR architecture, which also underpins the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer MPV and will soon appear under the next-generation Mini Countryman. The battery iX1 is the first premium compact BMW based on a flexible vehicle architecture to feature an all-electric drive system. It slots below the existing iX3 in the range to effectively replace the pioneering and now decade-old BMW i3 as the entry point to Munich’s now fast growing EV family.
X1 will also come in a choice of three and four-cylinder petrol engines and a pair of four-pot diesels. The new iX1 xDrive30 EV has a dual-motor powertrain. In other words, it has an e-motor on each axle. Fed by a 64.7 usable kWh battery mounted under the floor, they produce a combined 305 HP and 364 lb.-ft, available from one rpm. Munich claims a 5.6 second 0-60 mph dash and a driving distance of up to 272 miles on a single charge. The iX1 will fast charge from 10 to 80% in under half an hour at 130 kW.
Electric iX1 Hard to Tell Apart
Built at BMW Plant Regensburg, Germany, this latest version of the smallest BMW SUV follows an evolutionary design path. It’s different enough though, with slimmer LED headlamps flanking a more squared-off BMW kidney grille. A ‘dynamically stretched’ side profile features chunkier wheel arches, flush door handles and an extended rear spoiler. Thankfully, the only way to tell the battery version apart is by a blanked-off front grille and some cool but subtle styling cues.
Cockpit changes are however more dramatic. Riding on an 0.8-inch longer wheelbase and a 1.2” wider track, there’s more space inside, while X1 steps up to latest BMW cabin spec. An eighth generation iDrive operating system runs new X1’s 10.7-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25” digital gauge cluster. BMW promises that X1’s newly developed raised seats enhance long-distance comfort, while refinement is boosted by improved acoustics and a host of cool new cabin features.
iX1 Part of a Full New Range of Baby BMW SUVs
The iX1 EV will follow shortly after a range of pure-ICE X1 models go on sale from October. An additional petrol X1, a diesel and a pair plugin hybrids offering a 55 miles electric-only range, will also follow after that.
Images: BMW