BMW prices electric iX1 from $82,900

BMW Australia has announced pricing for its iX1 xDrive30 electric small SUV, slated to arrive in dealerships during the first quarter of next year from $82,900 plus on-road costs.

The iX1 will take to 12 the number of electrified models in BMW’s Australian portfolio and will be offered in two identically priced trim grades: xLine and M Sport.

Petrol-powered X1 sDrive18i and xDrive20i variants will launch locally next month.

BMW says the characterful exterior design and extensive equipment list of the iX1 complement the model’s larger size to make it a more appealing proposition for X1 buyers.

The new X1 measures 4500mm in length (+53mm), 1845mm in width (+24mm) and 1642mm in height (+44mm) and rides on a wheelbase of 2692mm (+22mm).

Dimensionally it sits between a Mercedes EQA (4463mm long, 1834mm wide and 1620mm tall) and an EQB (4684mm long, 1834mm wide and 1667mm tall) and though it is undercut by the EQA 250 ($76,800 + ORC) an EQB 250 is ($87,800 + ORC for the five-seat version).

Both Mercedes EQ models are front-drive at entry level, with a large price uptick for dual-motor all-wheel drive 350 4Matic variants that offer similar performance to the BMW.

A comprehensive standard equipment list on the iX1 includes adaptive LED headlights with matrix high beam, advanced driver and parking assistance systems, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, digital instrument cluster and head-up display, navigation system with augmented reality view, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, steering support and lane-keep assist..

Further, both variants of the iX1 xDrive30 include as standard sports leather steering wheel, panorama glass sunroof, Harman Kardon surround sound system, intelligent two-zone automatic climate control and a rain sensor with automatic headlight activation.

It also has four USB-C ports and two 12-volt power sockets.

A curved display unit with high-resolution 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster run BMW’s latest OS8 software. There is also a new rocker style gear selector, redesigned seats, perforated Sensatec and Alcantara upholstery options, a ‘floating’ style centre console, wireless device charging and touchscreen climate control interface.

The BMW iX1 xDrive30 has an electric motor on each axle delivering a combined output of 230kW and 494Nm. The model can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in a claimed 5.6 seconds on its way to an electronically governed top speed of 180km/h.

Getting all-wheel drive and in a Mercedes EQB requires a bigger budget for the 350 variant that develops 215kW and 520Nm.

Charging hardware and high-voltage battery cells are mounted in the floorplan of the vehicle. The battery pack can store 65kWh of energy for a driving range of up to 440km on the WLTP cycle. BMW says careful packaging of the battery pack has minimised intrusion into boot space, which at 490 litres is just 10 litres less than the internal combustion engine X1.

The iX1 is BMW’s first compact model to be based on the Munich marque’s flexible front-wheel drive architecture to feature an all-electric powertrain.

Its suspension set-up uses components from the petrol-driven X1 models, and includes adaptive M suspension as standard as well as M Sport steering, which BMW says “provides high levels of response to add further character to the driving experience of the iX1”.

A ‘Flexible Fast Charger’ is supplied with the iX1 for charging at home sockets, as well as a Mode 3 charging cable and three-year subscription to the Chargefox national network of DC rapid chargers.

Using AC power via a wallbox or public charging station, the iX1 can be charged at up to 22kW, which BMW says sets a new standard in the segment, while DC recharging operates at up to 130kW to enable a top-up from 10 per cent to 80 per cent taking as little as 29 minutes.

The My BMW smartphone app enables owners to to schedule and start charging, monitor the state of charge, activate control climate control in time for departure and plan routes for destinations with charging solutions along the way.