BMW iX1 in the test: The compact SUV now also drives purely electrically
Created: 09/26/2022, 00:01
By: Marcus Efler
The third generation of the BMW X1 is rolling.
The star of the new series is the all-electric version called iX1.
A first drive in the compact SUV.
The BMW X1 is one of the successful models from Munich.
Immediately after its first presentation in 2009, it found a loyal fan base - and since then it has been on the sheet metal with its big brother, the X3.
Now, after 2.7 million vehicles produced, the third generation is here.
With a significantly streamlined exterior, the compact SUV looks more mature than it does.
The length of the X1 increased by five centimeters to 4.50 meters, the width by two and a half and, contrary to the industry trend, the height by a clear four and a half.
The brand's entry-level SUV is presented more than ever as a practical everyday car for couples or small families, and of course it should also differ from the coupé-like, sporty offshoot X2.
BMW iX1 in the test: The compact SUV now also drives purely electrically
The electric BMW iX1 can hardly be distinguished visually from the combustion engine.
© Wolfgang Groeger-Meier/BMW
In accordance with BMW's officially issued strategy of relying on all types of drive, the X1 is still available with many different combustion engines.
For a significantly increased base price of 43,900 euros (BMW, like other manufacturers, is currently tightening the price screw), there is a three-cylinder petrol engine with 136 hp.
The powerful, gripping version with 204 hp and 48-volt support is typically BMW sporty.
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There are also humming, economical diesels from 150 hp - and soon there will also be petrol engines as plug-in hybrids.
But the star of the program is the iX1, the all-electric version.
It is an important component of the plan to sell two million purely electric BMWs by 2025, and five years later more than half of all cars of this brand as pure electric vehicles.
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BMW iX1 in the test: 313 hp with power boost
The 55,000 euro electric SUV offers 313 hp on both axles, of which the last 41 hp are available as a 30-second boost at the push of a button - and deliver a really impressive performance when accelerating.
For everyday use you can keep your hands off it and enjoy the rich torque of 494 Newton meters.
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Sporty: the rear with a diffuser-style apron © Wolfgang Groeger-Meier/BMW
Thanks to the low center of gravity, it is also reasonably handy at 1800 kilos, but the adaptive chassis does not even have to be set to "Sport".
The artificial engine sound, which can at least be deactivated, is just as superfluous.
A record-breaking drag coefficient of 0.26 enables a range of a good 400 kilometers suitable for everyday use.
BMW iX1 in the test: electric cockpit in all versions
The wide digital screen is available in all X1 models.
©BMW
The interior adopts (in all drive variants) the extra-wide digital screen of the iX and i4 electric models, which is slightly curved towards the driver.
It is operated via freely configurable theme tiles or via optimized voice control.
BMW iX1 xDrive30 | |
|---|---|
engine/drive | 2 electric/four-wheel drive |
power/torque | 230 kW (313 hp) / 494 Nm |
Vmax/0-100km/h | 180km/h / 5.7s |
Length Width Height | 4.50/1.85/1.64m |
luggage compartment volume | 490 – 1,495 liters |
consumption/range | 17.3kWh/438km |
Price | 55,000 euros |
Base price BMW X1 sDrive18i | 43,900 euros |
The one-body solution for conventional and electric drives saves BMW production effort: At the Regensburg plant, they all run in a motley mix on the same production line.
The price for this is that the iX1 with its classic body is not a space miracle like pure Stromer - which the buyers of sporty compact SUVs can probably get over.
