It looks as if each new BMW is accompanied by an all-electric variant as of late, and the identical is true right this moment with the reveal of the brand new third-generation U11 X1. This is the iX1, the primary zero-emission model of Munich’s entry-level SUV and the fifth of a brand new range of electrical autos based mostly on common fashions, after the iX3, i4, i3 and i7.
As with these automobiles, the iX1 utilises BMW’s fifth era of eDrive motors, changing the common X1’s front-mounted engine and gearbox. Just one variant is obtainable at launch, the xDrive30, powered by a motor on every axle to present all-wheel drive and a complete system output of 200 kW (272 PS) and 494 Nm of torque.
A short lived enhance operate bumps up the ability output by 30 kW (41 PS) beneath onerous acceleration to 230 kW (313 PS), enabling the iX1 to dash from zero to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds on its method to a prime velocity of 180 km/h. The automotive has the smallest lithium-ion battery amongst its siblings at a still-respectable 64.7 kWh, offering a range of between 413 and 438 km on the WLTP cycle.
The iX1 will be charged at up to 11 kW on AC energy, which may fill the battery in six and a half hours. This can optionally be bumped up to 22 kW, trimming this quantity down to three hours and 45 minutes. Alternatively, the automotive can settle for up to 130 kW of DC quick charging, topping the battery up from 10 to 80% in 29 minutes and including 120 km of range in simply 10 minutes.
Included as a part of the powertrain is a Combined Charging Unit that integrates the capabilities of a voltage transformer, charging electronics, energy distribution and administration of the motors, battery and charging. The system’s up to date software program, first used in the i7, easily reduces the charging fee after a sure level to cut back temperatures (as an alternative of dropping down a number of steps), shortening cost occasions.
Further optimisation of DC charging comes by the use of alternating between full and partial cooling, stopping temperatures from dropping too far. This helps to not solely cut back charging occasions but additionally the ageing strategy of the battery cells. A extra environment friendly warmth pump can also be fitted to the iX1, which may then be used to preheat the battery for DC charging, both manually or mechanically when approaching the charger.
As with most EVs, the iX1 makes use of recuperative braking to maximise range, with an adaptive system ready to keep in mind knowledge from the navigation system and driver help sensors. This will gradual the automotive down when it senses a roundabout or different autos in entrance, as an example, with out touching the brake pedal. The most recuperation fee is 60 kW, or 120 kW with the brake pedal depressed.
The remainder of the automotive is as per the usual X1, sharing the identical primary construction, revised design and new applied sciences. On the skin, this contains trapezoidal LED headlights (with inverted L-shaped daytime operating lights), massive sq. double kidney grilles, a closely sculpted bonnet, squared-off wheel arches, minimalist physique sides (cleaned up by flush door handles) and enormous three-dimensional L-shaped taillights. Adaptive headlights can be found as an choice, incorporating Mazda CX-30-style pulsating indicators.
Unique to the iX1 are blue highlights that embody L-shaped entrance and rear bumper corners and aspect sill trim. There’s additionally the apparent lack of exhaust pipes and the closed-off entrance grilles; the latter, collectively with the entrance air curtain inlets, aero wheels, tailgate spoiler, massive rear diffuser and flat underbody (the underfloor battery can also be sealed) permit for a drag coefficient as little as 0.26.
Inside, the iX1 will get the same inside idea that was launched on the U06 2 Series Active Tourer, with a big centre air vent and twin vents forward of the entrance passenger. There’s additionally an upright storage console for a smartphone (the place the non-obligatory Qi wi-fi charger sits) and a floating armrest with a toggle-style gear selector. The iDrive rotary controller has been ditched right here, as with its MPV sibling.
Thus, your solely method of controlling the infotainment system is with the ten.7-inch central touchscreen, which types a part of the Curved Display panel that additionally incorporates a ten.25-inch instrument show. The entire shebang runs on the newest BMW Operating System 8, providing crisp and vibrant graphics, customisable devices and built-in controls for the usual dual-zone local weather management.
Also commonplace is the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system with iX1-specific options, together with routing optimised for charging if the automotive’s range isn’t lengthy sufficient to full the journey. It may also show further info at charging stops, resembling estimated remaining cost upon arrival, beneficial charging time and goal cost degree.
Despite the battery being situated beneath the automotive’s ground, the iX1 affords nominally much less boot area than its petrol and diesel siblings at 490 litres (-50 litres), though you possibly can nonetheless fold the rear seats down to enhance area baggage capability to 1,495 litres (-105 litres). The electrical model additionally doesn’t get the sliding rear seats accessible as an choice on fashions with pure inside combustion engines.
Keeping noise at bay are a number of sound-insulating measures that embody improved door and tailgate sealing, a brand new door mirror design and quieter tyres. The iX1 additionally advantages from the particular mounting of the motor and related electronics and transmission (all in a single housing) and a soundproofed and double-decoupled air-conditioning compressor. As with different electrical BMW fashions, the iX1 will get the IconicSounds Electric driving sounds created in collaboration with renown movie composer Hans Zimmer.
Under the pores and skin, the iX1 inherits the brand new X1’s lighter, extra inflexible building – which utilises metal and aluminium – and revised MacPherson strut entrance and multilink rear suspension. The automotive additionally will get a bespoke entrance sheer panel, a entrance strut tower brace, stronger entrance and rear cross members, an optimised load-bearing battery casing and the usual fitment of Adaptive M Suspension that’s non-obligatory all over the place else.
The iX1 will probably be constructed alongside the common X1 at BMW’s Regensburg plant in Germany – together with the battery – with the motors and related parts assembled in close by Dingolfing. Sales are slated to kick off in November, a month after the petrol and diesel variants.
