BMW expanded the already wide lineup of the X1/iX1 compact SUV with a new entry-level battery electric vehicle (BEV) offering, the iX1 eDrive20. The car is supposed to be the most affordable SUV in its car series.
The new car has a single electric motor and is a less expensive alternative of the dual-motor iX1 eDrive30, which launched last year. The front-mounted electric motor generates up to 201 horsepower with a momentary boost and 247 Nm of steady torque.
The eDrive20’s decreased energy usage results in a longer range estimated between 430-475 km (267-295 miles) in the WLTP cycle. In terms of performance, the FWD model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 8.6 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph).
The normal 11 kW charger takes 6:30 hours to fully charge the battery, while the optional 22 kW charger takes 3:45 hours. The electric SUV can charge at a rate of up to 130 kW on a DC charging station, filling from 10-80% in 29 minutes.
Despite being BMW’s entry-level EV, the iX1 eDrive20 comes with a generous standard package that includes dual-zone automatic air conditioning and other advanaced features such as the Parking Assistant and reverse camera. In addition, the latest BMW Operating System 9 powers the digital cockpit which is a BMW Curved Display with two screens measuring 10.25-inch and 10.7-inch.
The BMW iX1 eDrive20 will be available in Europe beginning in November 2023, with prices starting at €47,900 ($51,308) effectively making it €7,100 ($7,606) less expensive than the dual-motor BMW iX1 eDrive30, which starts at €55,000 ($58,913) in Germany. Both EVs are manufactured at the BMW Group factory in Regensburg.