BMW has pulled the covers off its first-ever compact electric vehicle (EV) SUV, the 2023 BMW iX1.

Debuting alongside the all-new 2023 BMW X1, the BMW iX1 will feature as a new variant, alongside the X1’s internal combustion, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) powered variants.

Powering the BMW iX1 xDrive30 is a pair of electric motors, one motor at the front axle and another at the rear. The duo of electric motors in the BMW iX1 xDrive30 develop 200 kW, or up to 230 kW (313 PS) with the temporary boost function. Maximum torque is rated at 494 Nm.

The BMW iX1 xDrive30 is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and will keep accelerating to a top speed of 180 km/h.

The iX1 is equipped with the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology also comprises the car’s charging technology and the high-voltage battery positioned flat within the vehicle’s underbody, which provides 64.7 kWh of usable energy.

The BMW iX1 xDrive30 is capable of AC charging at a rate of up to 11 kW, which can be optionally increased to up to 22 kW (with three-phase AC).

With DC fast-charging, the iX1 can be recharged at a rate of up to 130 kW. Thus the battery can be fully recharged from empty in 6.5 hours, or from 10 to 80 per cent capacity in just 29 minutes.

Fully charged, the iX1 is claimed to offer a total range of up to 438 km (measured using the WLTP cycle).

Dimension-wise, the iX1 measures 4,500 mm length, 1,845 mm in width, and 1,642 mm in height. The wheelbase measures 2,692 mm. Setting the iX1 apart from other X1 variants are blue trim highlights peppered around the exterior, as customary for BMW’s EV models.

On the inside, iX1 receives BMW’s latest-generation Live Cockpit Plus system which comprises a 10.25-inch information display and the 10.7-inch control display.

In focusing on increased safety and driver assistance, the BMW iX1 and the X1 are offered with a greater variety of automated driving and parking systems.

Standard features include adaptive cruise control as well as a front-collision warning system, which is now also capable of detecting oncoming traffic and pedestrians and cyclists when turning right (LHD markets).

The Parking Assistant including Reversing Assist Camera and Reversing Assistant also forms part of the standard equipment roster.

Market launch of the X1 gets underway in October 2022 with the launch of the BMW iX1 xDrive30 in selected markets expected to join shortly after. 

Also read: BMW electrifies Kuching with the BMW iX and Fast BMW i