Price from £35,130 Smallest BMW SUV gets an electric sibling and updated tech
NOVEMBER
IDENTICAL TWINS OFTEN vary in personality, whether it’s a differing taste in clothes or a preference for playing sport versus going to the pub. Likewise, while the all-new BMW X1 and iX1 are visually almost identical, they are very different under the skin; the former will be offered in petrol, diesel and hybrid form, whereas the latter is fully electric.
Powered by two electric motors (one on each axle for four-wheel drive), the iX1 has a healthy 308bhp.That’s enough to propel it from 0-62mph in a swift 5.7sec. However, being an electric car, the most important figure is range, and its official 272-mile figure beats that of the entry-level Audi Q4 e-tron.
Meanwhile, the combustion-engined X1 offers a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 134bhp, or a 215bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild hybrid petrol.There’s also a choice of two 2.0-litre diesels – one with 148bhp, the other with 208bhp and mild hybrid tech.
Two plug-in hybrids crown the line-up, each combining a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for 242bhp or 322bhp in total. Both feature a 14.4kWh battery, providing an official electric-only range of 55 miles. For context, the rival Range Rover Evoque P300e can manage only 34 miles.
In terms of appearance, the new models look more aggressive than the previous X1, with angular bumpers, a striking front grille and LED lights all round.
Inside, you get a 10.7in digital instrument panel and a 10.25in infotainment touchscreen. Sadly, the rotary controller that has long made BMW infotainment systems so user-friendly is gone. Instead, everything is operated by touch, gestures or voice commands.
Prices start from £35,130 (a rise of £5000 compared with today’s car), w
