BMW iX1 electric car has been revealed alongside the new X1 crossover.
Alongside the reveal of its combustion-powered BMW X1, which also boasts more electrification than ever, the German car maker has unveiled its fully-electric iX1 compact crossover which will launch in Australia.
It’s the biggest single departure for the new X1, with the arrival of the pure-electric edition – badged iX1 xDrive30e – due to go on sale around the same time as the X1 plug-in hybrid models at the end of summer.
The new iX1 EV features a pair of electric motors – one on each axle – which have a maximum combined output of 230kW and 494Nm of torque, although this power figure is achieved on temporary boost.
With this maximum power output delivered to all four wheels, the iX1 is capable of 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds, and it can reach a top speed of 200km/h.
BMW claims the car will be able to deliver up to 438km of range on the WLTP test cycle from its 64.7kWh battery, and says it will support charging rates of up to 130kW for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in 29 minutes – or enough to add 120km of range in just 10 minutes. The battery can also be pre-heated manually, allowing users to prepare their car and maximise the possible charging rates at public points.
AC charging at up to 11kW is standard for a full recharge time of six and a half hours, but owners can also upgrade this system to an 11kW on-board unit that cuts the recharge time down to three hours and 45 minutes.
The iX1 looks all but identical to its combustion-engined siblings, with only slight aerodynamic tweaks to increase its efficiency (its drag coefficient is 0.26Cd) and BMW’s usual blue colour accents to highlight the zero-emissions powertrain.
Prices have not yet been confirmed, but expect the iX1 to sit at the top of the newly revised X1 range.
Sales will start towards later this year and BMW expects deliveries and exports will commence towards the end of the year or early in 2023, with Australian timing looking towards late 2022/early 2023.
John McIlroy