BMW iX1 a great option. If your EV stars align, of course!
BMW’s new third-generation X1 crossover is Munich’s latest mainline model to gain a full battery electric version. The new X1 joins the BMW X3, 4 and 7 Series in offering an iX1 electric variant for the first time, over and above the standalone electric iX SUV.
The new X1 rides on BMW’s new FAAR architecture, which also underpins the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer MPV and latest generation Mini Countryman too. The battery iX1 is the first premium compact BMW based on a flexible vehicle architecture to feature an all-electric drive system. So what’s it like?
The new iX1 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. Albeit that BMW has recently joined the massive auto industry U-turn back to combustion. But let’s look at iX1 in its own right.
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 ‘green’ styling cues.
Cockpit changes are however more dramatic. Riding on a 20 mm longer wheelbase and a 35 mm wider track, there’s more space inside. The new X1 also steps up to latest BMW cabin spec. And this was the biggest surprise.
One of the better touch screen systems
Look, we abhor button-free car interfaces. However, while it is in principal similar to the new 5 Series system we were not too impressed with, some tiny nuances make quite a profound difference in this car. It has a latest eighth-generation iDrive operating system runs new X1’s 10.7-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25” digital gauge cluster.
The best bit about the iX1 system is its a subtly more conventional logic to it. It still has one or two more buttons too, and lacke useless touch-sliders. All of which makes all the difference. Latest generation seats also enhance long-distance comfort, while refinement is boosted by improved acoustics and a host of cool new cabin features.
The new BMW X1 also comes in a choice of three and four-cylinder petrol engines and a pair of four-pot diesels. But back to the subject at hand, the new iX1 xDrive30 EV has a dual-motor powertrain. In other words, it has an e-motor on each axle.
iX3 is quick. Quicker than claimed too
Fed by a 64.7 usable kWh battery mounted under the floor, they produce a combined 227 kW and 500 Nm, all available from one rpm. Munich claims 5.6 seconds to 100 km/h, which our VBox verified at 5.45 seconds. Like all reasonably powerful EVs, power is linear and progressive and iX1 certainly gets on with it.
BMW also claims a driving distance of up to 435 km on a single charge. That’s not all that easy to achieve in a more country driving mix. But your iX1 should manage that in the urban realm. They furthermore clam that iX1 fast charges to 80% in under half an hour at 130 kW.
Good luck finding a 130 kW charger in South Africa, however! Or a decent charger of any kind, wherever you need one. While electric vehicles have challenges of their own as they fail to meet sales expectations, the real issue here, is a total lack of EV charging infrastructure. Courtesy of a disinvested government and fuel forecourt industry.
iX1 and the EV question mark – to do or not to do?
However, there is no arguing that an EV is a great urban transport solution. With a wall box at home, or if there’s a decent charger at the office, it can make a lot of sense. But don’t even try if you live remote, or if there’s no charging infrastructure close by. Then electric motoring just makes no sense at all. And that applies to all EVs.
So, if your stars do happen to align and you can make it work, then the BMW iX1 is a very good EV option. Perhaps most significantly, you need to know your oats to notice it’s an EV, because it is just another X1 at the face of it. And that’s another major plus in our book. So yes, if it fits, wear it! – Michele Lupini
ROAD TESTED: BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport EV
Motors: 2x synchronous electric
Output: 230 kW 494 Nm combined
Drive: Direct AWD
Battery: 64.7 kWh lithium-ion
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 2.49 sec
0-100 km/h: 5.45 sec
0-120 km/h: 7.57 sec
0-160 km/h: 13.46 sec
400m: 13.8 sec @ 162 km/h
80-120 km/h: 3.80 sec
120-160 km/h: 5.89 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 180 km/h
Energy Use: 17.3 kWh/100 km
CO2: 0 g/km local
Range: 435 km
Warranty/Service: 2y 100K/5y 100K km
LIST PRICE: R1.245M
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