New BMW iX1: electric range boosted to 296 miles by eDrive20 version

BMW’s ladder of electric car ownership begins with the iX1 and now there’s a cheaper first rung model available to order - the eDrive20. 

The iX1 was revealed in 2022 and sits alongside the combustion-powered BMW X1 compact SUV, which also boasts more electrification than ever with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology. There’s not much to differentiate the two in terms of looks, both taking a similar overriding design approach that’s also seen on the i4 and 4 Series as well as the i7 and 7 Series. 

The new eDrive20 is now the entry-level iX1 and is on sale with first deliveries expected in November 2023. It’s priced from £44,560 in Sport guise, rising to £46,560 for the xLine and £49,310 for M Sport. This comfortably undercuts the iX1 xDrive30 which starts from £53,295 in xLine trim. 

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All iX1s utilise the same 64.7kWh battery, although the xDrive20 has a single electric motor on the front axle compared to the xDrive30’s dual-motor setup. This means the xDrive20 only puts out 204bhp and 247Nm of torque whereas the xDrive30 has 308bhp and 494Nm of torque. As a result the lesser-powered iX1 has an 8.6-second 0-62mph time and the xDrive30 will do the same sprint in 5.7 seconds. 

BMW claims the iX1 xDrive30 will be able to deliver up to 272 miles of range on the WLTP test cycle. The xDrive20 beats this with up to 296 miles available, although some versions will be limited to 268 miles. 

Charging rates are the same for both versions with up to 130kW for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in 29 minutes - or enough to add 75 miles of range in just 10 minutes. The battery can also be pre-heated manually, allowing users to prepare their car and maximise the possible charging rates at public points.

AC charging at up to 11kW is standard for a full recharge time of six and a half hours, but owners can also upgrade this system to an 11kW on-board unit that cuts the recharge time down to three hours and 45 minutes.

Despite being the cheaper model, the xDrive20 retains the same curved infotainment display as the xDrive30, made up from a 10.25-inch infotainment display and a 10.7-inch driver’s screen. BMW’s latest OS9 operating system also comes as standard.

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