By Otsile Kadiege

The fully-electric BMW iX1 was previously solely available with one model derivative – the xDrive30. The Munich-based automaker recently added a new grade called eDrive20. Compared to its more potent xDrive30 sibling, the eDrive20 is obviously less power powerful but it has more driving range and a comprehensive list of standard specification too.

Performance

As in all of the brand’s current electric vehicles, the new BMW iX1 eDrive20 also uses the current fifth generation BMW eDrive technology. A highly integrated drive unit on the front axle of the new entry-level model generates 150 kW of power and a maximum torque of 247 Nm. BMW claims it accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and has a top speed that’s electronically limited to 170 km/h.

Thanks to a 64.7 kWh battery pack, BMW claims the iX1 eDrive20 has an electric range of 430 – 475 km (WLTP). The Combined Charging Unit of the new iX1 eDrive20 enables AC charging with up to 11 kW as standard. This allows the high-voltage battery to be charged from zero to 100 percent of its capacity within 6.5 hours. Three-phase AC charging with an output of up to 22 kW is optionally available. This reduces charging time to 3:45 hours. The battery can be charged using direct current with a power of up to 130 kW. The battery’s state of charge can be increased from 10 to 80 percent within 29 minutes at a fast charging station.

iX1 eDrive20 standard specification

The new iX1 eDrive20 is equipped with a comprehensive range of standard equipment. These include the BMW Maps navigation system, 2-zone automatic air conditioning, numerous modern driver assistance systems, the Parking Assistant including Reversing Assist Camera and numerous innovative digital services.

The new BMW iDrive with “QuickSelect” and the new BMW Operating System 9 are also standard equipment. It enables a wider range of digital content for information and entertainment, faster update cycles for over-the-air functions as well as optimised access to many specific online services such as 3rd party apps, extended navigation and parking services and additional possibilities for personalisation, for example through further My Modes. In this way, the BMW Operating System 9 also creates the conditions for the customer to customise the system to a high degree with additional digital services, which are available with the new BMW Digital Premium offer.

The BMW Curved Display is the heart of the display and control system. It consists of a 10.25-inch Information Display and a Control Display with a screen diagonal of 10.7 inches under a common glass surface curved towards the driver. The latest BMW iDrive generation features a redesigned start screen with “QuickSelect”. This means that the system has received an improved menu structure, oriented towards devices from the consumer electronics sector. “QuickSelect” enables functions to be accessed directly without having to switch to submenus. This means that the new BMW iDrive is even more consistently geared towards intuitive touch operation and control via natural language.

Availability

BMW South Africa is yet to confirm whether the iX1 eDrive20 will be sold in SA. Currently, customers can only purchase the iX1 xDrive30 which is priced from R1,205,000.