BMW reveals the new X1
In its third model generation, the BMW X1 offers fully electric driving for the first time. This new addition to a rapidly growing vehicle segment will complement the brand’s existing battery-electric models and make driving an all-electric BMW accessible to an even wider audience. From launch, the new BMW X1 will be available with one petrol engine and two diesel engine options. A pair of plug-in hybrid models will join the range immediately after launch, as will the new BMW iX1 xDrive30, the BMW Group’s first premium compact model based on a flexible vehicle architecture to feature an all-electric drive system.
Offered in a choice of five models – Sport Premier, xLine Premier, xLine Premier Pro, M Sport Premier, and M Sport Premier Pro – the new BMW X1 will be available to order now, priced from £35,130 RRP.
The new BMW X1 is larger than its predecessor – by 53mm in length to 4,500mm, 24mm in width to 1,845mm and 44mm in height to 1,642mm. Its wheelbase is 2,692mm, 22mm longer than before, while its track widths have increased by 31mm to 1,592mm at the front and 1,593mm at the rear.
The new BMW X1 comes as standard with slim LED headlights for low and high beam that extend into the sides of the car. A distinctive graphic splits the headlights into three units for the low beam, high beam and daytime driving lights, the latter including the indicators.
Buyers can choose from two solid and eight metallic paint finishes, as well as a Frozen paint option with shimmering matt surface from BMW Individual, not to mention a wide variety of BMW Individual special paint finishes.
Sport variants of the new BMW X1 come as standard with 17-inch light-alloy wheels, with 18-inch light-alloy wheels as standard on xLine cars. M Sport models feature 19-inch light-alloy wheels in a bi-colour finish, although both xLine and M Sport can be optionally specified with wheels up to 20 inches – a first for the BMW X1.
The all-electric BMW iX1 xDrive30 is powered by one electric motor at the front axle and another at the rear, each combined with power electronics and transmission in a single, compact housing. The drive units deliver a combined output of 313hp (including temporary boost) and overall torque of 494Nm.
The fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology also comprises the car’s charging technology and the 64.7kWh high-voltage battery positioned flat within the vehicle’s underbody. The battery’s high energy density and the drive system’s efficiency achieve combined power consumption of 18.4 – 17.3kWh per 100km (WLTP) and a driving range of 257 – 272 miles.
The Combined Charging Unit in the BMW iX1 xDrive30 enables single- and three-phase AC charging up to 11kW, optionally increased to 22kW (three-phase AC). This allows the battery to be fully recharged from empty in 6.5 hours as standard and just 3 hours 45 minutes as an option. DC recharging at up to 130kW makes it possible to boost the battery level from 10 to 80 per cent in 29 minutes, or increase range by 75 miles in just 10 minutes.
Two plug-in hybrids will join the model line-up later, their electric drive components the product of fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. The BMW X1 xDrive30e and BMW X1 xDrive25e both feature an integrated electric drive unit powering the rear wheels, combined with a three-cylinder petrol engine that drives the front wheels via the seven-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch.
Now positioned flat in the vehicle floor, the fifth-generation lithium-ion batteries have an increased usable content of 14.2kWh. Maximum charging capacity has climbed from 3.7kW to 7.4kW, enabling the high-voltage battery to be fully recharged from empty in 2.5 hours. When hooked up to a conventional domestic power socket, a full vehicle charge is completed within eight hours. Electric range is now up to 48 – 55 miles in the WLTP cycle.
All BMW X1 models will be built at BMW Group Plant Regensburg, along with the high-voltage batteries for the BMW iX1 xDrive30. The new BMW X1 will see the BMW Group take another step towards its target of establishing the most sustainable supply chain within the automotive industry, with a focus on renewable energy during manufacturing processes and the increased use of secondary and renewable materials compared with its predecessor.
