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radical zero: Driving experience BMW iX1

Welcome to reality

BMW takes a relatively simple approach with the iX1, it is virtually identical in construction to its thermally powered and simultaneously presented brothers. The Munich company leaves all options open, the not-so-compact SUV is also available as a petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid. While the flagship model iX is clearly recognisable as an electric car, the iX1 hides its drive technology very well, it can only be recognised from the outside by a few blue accents (which can also be omitted if desired, just like the type designation at the rear). After the somewhat manageable success of the i3, the Bavarians understandably don’t want to put all their eggs in one basket and give customers a choice. The disadvantage of the iX1 is that some of the advantages of the pure e-drive, such as more space, cannot be used. The visual difference between the iX1 and iX is definitely enormous.

In any case, BMW has worked intensively and once again on the (electric) drive. In the meantime, they have arrived at the fifth generation of electric motors, these current-excited synchronous machines manage without permanent magnets (and without rare earths). The battery pack consists of prismatic cells, which should improve both service life and cooling, and can convince with a particularly high energy density (152 Wh/kg in relation to weight, 199 Wh/l in relation to volume) – and shows well that the Bavarians are not resting on their laurels. And that the Bayrische Motoren Werke also want to be at the forefront when it comes to electricity. They do without an 800 V architecture (for the time being), and the iX1’s maximum charging power of 130 kW is not really exhilarating either. This is still interesting, because the i4, for example, can be recharged with over 200 kW. But the i4 also has a larger battery, while the iX1 has to make do with a relatively modest 64.7 kWh battery. In return, the SUV is supposed to consume less, the factory specification of 17.2 to 18.3 kWh/100 km/h is optimistic, even the range of 438 kilometres according to WLTP is likely to be achieved only with very, very restrained driving. However, we have “experienced” with the i4 that BMW really do use electricity sparingly, so this will probably also be the case with the iX1.

In terms of power, the “smallest” SUV from Munich (which is built in China) comes very powerful: a maximum of 230 kW drives all four wheels, which is 313 hp in old currency. But this is only a peak value with the boost, which is available for a maximum of 10 seconds; in normal mode it is 272 hp. Added to this is a maximum torque of 494 Nm, which is not particularly rough by E standards. However, the propulsion is already fierce, as evidenced by the 5.6 seconds for the parade sprint from 0 to 100 km/h – that’s not too bad for an SUV that is nevertheless over 1.6 metres high and weighs just under 2.1 tonnes. The kerb weight, by the way, is 510 kilos higher than that of the entry-level X1 18i (136 hp), which, at 1575 kilos, is not exactly a lean car either.

One of the reasons for this is that the latest version of the “little one” has become quite large, now measuring 4.5 metres and 1.85 metres wide. On the one hand, this additional volume benefits a more pleasing design, on the other hand, of course, the interior – even if it still does not overboard for the rear passengers. With 490 litres in the boot, however, the iX1 offers a good measure, at least in this area; with the rear seats folded down, it’s almost 1500 litres (exactly the same as the thermal versions). The front passengers can enjoy the new “Curved Display”, everything is very reduced and looks very modern, very cool. There are no mysteries hidden in the controls, there are still a few switches and buttons on the steering wheel and in the centre console, so you can find your way around intuitively. And what’s really good: the smartphone is in the inductive charging station, the driver has a good view of it – and it doesn’t slide around because BMW has given it a little retaining clip. A small thing, but a good, important one. What’s also good and important: the display on the touchscreens is extremely good, something you’ve only seen on home screens before.

Of course, the BMW iX1 drives perfectly well in a straight line, like most electric cars. But it is also a BMW, which is why it can take bends just like the massive i7, as it has the same chassis as its brothers. On the other hand, you do feel the weight and the high body – but no more than in other SUVs. If you select “Sport” as the driving mode, the steering becomes a little harsh, and comfort also falls by the wayside. None of this is necessary; in normal mode, the E-SUV is a very confident vehicle, perfectly “motorised”, comfortable and very quiet. If desired, you can break this silence with the “Iconic Sound”, but that is a matter of taste.

The basic BMW iX1 costs 55,000 euros/59,900 Swiss francs. Then there are the extras, which are not really priced with restraint by the Munich company – and yet the E-SUV almost seems to us to be a bit of a special offer within the X1 range. Although a 136 hp 18i can be had for as little as 45,900 Swiss francs, the currently hottest purely thermal variant, the 23i with its 218 hp, costs only just 2000 Swiss francs less than the significantly nippier Stromer. And the wicked plug-in hybrid (with 326 hp system output) is the same price as its purely electric brother. With this pricing, BMW is definitely sending a signal in the direction of: common sense.

(We have to get rid of this here now. For “radical”, the BMW X1/iX1 would have been the favourite for “The Car of the Year” 2023, also because it offers the full range, every conceivable drive (except hydrogen). Sure, the premium products are not cheap, but technologically they are far, far ahead, even among the electric cars. And the interior is among the best you can buy at the moment. And when it comes to driving pleasure, the reasonably compact SUV is clearly superior to most other electric vehicles, just like a BMW. Only, the X1/iX1 incomprehensibly didn’t make it onto the “shortlist”). More electric cars can be found in: zero. Everything else in the archive.

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