The first ever compact BMW-badged EV is the brand new iX1, the battery-powered version of the brand new, third-generation X1 small SUV. Called the BMW iX1 xDrive 30, it features two electric motors that can deliver up to 309 bhp and 364 pound-feet (494 Nm) of torque, with its range rated at 257 - 272 miles (413 - 438 km). It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds and at the top end it’s pegged back at 112 mph (180 km/h).
A 64.7 kWh battery mounted flat within the floor stores the electric energy, which should be enough for a range between 256 miles (413 km) and 272 miles (438 km) on a single charge. The battery pack supports BMW’s latest highly efficient charging technology with a new software also found in the BMW i7, which means DC charging with up to 130 kW is possible. This means 70 percent of the battery can be recharged in 29 minutes.
Alternatively, AC charging is possible with single- and three-phase electricity at a rate of up to 22 kW. However, it’s important to note that all output, performance, range, and charging figures are predicted values provided by BMW based on the iX1’s current stage of development. A free 12-month subscription for Europe’s IONITY charging network is confirmed, though.
Gallery: 2022 BMW iX1
In terms of its design, the new iX1 (and the X1 it’s based on) feature BMW’s very latest design language, with headlights that swoop around the corners of the front fascia very strongly, while from the side it looks quite upright, pulling off the mini-SUV look quite well. From the rear what strikes you are the very bold blade-style rear light clusters that give the vehicle a very wide stance and lots of presence.
Inside it looks virtually identical to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, which is the first model from the Bavarian automaker not to feature a physical control for the infotainment. It therefore has the same twin curved screen display setup, floating central armrest and standard sports steering wheel, although it does look like the X1 gets the good head-up display that projects onto the windscreen.
You will be able to tell the iX1 apart from other models that still burn fuel by the now familiar blue trim that BMW puts on all its EVs and the wheels are also unique to the electric variant. The charging port is where the petrol cap is on ICE models, so if you see one with a small door on the front left side of the vehicle, then you will know that it is a plug-in hybrid, not the EV.
BMW hasn’t shared a lot right now about the iX1, so definitive specs and pricing information will be revealed at a later date. And even though it looks exactly like the type of vehicle that would do well in America (being a small, electric or electrified crossover with a premium badge), the chances of seeing it cross the Atlantic are reportedly slim.
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