BMW has unveiled the X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance at the Chengdu Motor Show 2016. Made in China by BMW Brilliance for the Chinese market, Munich’s latest addition its family of new energy vehicles (NEVs) is also the first plug-in hybrid in the compact luxury SUV segment.
The plug-in hybrid X1 is powered by a 1.5 litre turbo engine at the front axle. Mated to a six-speed gearbox, it churns out 134 hp and 220 Nm of torque. There’s an electric motor at the rear axle that supplies 70 kW (94 hp) and 165 Nm of torque at start-up. BMW’s proprietary eBoost function combines the above for peak torque of 385 Nm, allowing for 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. Combined fuel consumption is 1.8 litres per 100 km.
The PHEV battery is a high-voltage lithium unit with a net capacity of 10.7 kWh to provide a pure electric cruising range of 60 km and a combined cruising range of 630 km when working in tandem with the 35 litre petrol tank. With a 220V/16A charging wall-box, the battery – placed in the middle of the chassis – can be fully charged in 3.7 hours and charged to 80% in just 2.9 hours, BMW says.
BMW’s eDrive tech offers three modes for controlling the energy source. There’s the default Auto eDrive mode, which leaves power source selection to the system. For example, electric drive is initiated at speeds of 80 km/h or below, whether you are cruising at a constant speed or accelerating slightly. However, at any time you step hard on the accelerator or when the speed exceeds 80 km/h, the system activates the petrol engine.
In Max eDrive mode, the car runs purely on electricity with zero emissions at speeds up to 120 km/h. When the driver runs into a traffic jam, the driver can turn on the Save Battery mode to save the battery capacity for later pure electric driving. As with normal X1s, the 25Le iPerformance comes with BMW’s Driving Experience Control, offering Sport, Comfort and Eco Pro modes.
BMW’s “Efficiencytainment” energy efficiency display system shows real-time energy flow status as red and blue arrows or icons. There are also indicators on the dashboard for the cruising range, charging status, energy consumption and other relevant info to help the driver steer more efficiently.
This PHEV is based on the Chinese-market X1 Long Wheelbase, which is 80 mm longer, 20 mm wider and 40 mm taller than the standard F48. The electric drive system was designed to sit entirely under the frame, and there’s no compromise on the interior, BMW says. Green markers include a double-kidney grille in high-gloss blue, BMW i logos under the charge port and the C-pillar, and eDrive logos on the door scuff and gear lever. Buyers can choose from Cross Country and Sport packages.
To convince Chinese customers, BMW is providing free home wall-box installation. For those without a porch, BMW offers semi-public shared charging services within communities and a charging card package that allows customers to enjoy two years or 1,920 hours of free services. With ChargeNow, the number of public charge points is set to reach 1,500 this year. Lastly, the battery comes with an eight-year or 120,000 km warranty.
The X1 xDrive25Le may not be coming here, but we do have PHEV variants of the F30 3 Series and F15 X5 in Malaysia. Click to read our launch reports.
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This should be the PHEV that BMW brings in instead of the X5. It will probably compete with 330e but, this is more practical for family.
All over the world, the plug ins slightly more expensive than the normal petrol version. So, it does not affect the market.
In Malaysia, plug ins are sold like Rm200k less than the petrol version. Immediately it affects the RV of all other cars. We must thank our flip flop government.
Today X5 owners who bought at RM588k are crying because X5 plug in hybrid is sold at RM388k. BMW 320d, 320i and 330i owners are crying because the BMW 330e is sold for RM249k
Overnight, the 3 series owners saw RM50k wiped out from their car values.
Let us thank our Flip Flop Government.
This model has the best looking headlights and taillights compared to the rest of bmw cars…x5 and x3 both hv the ugliest headlights and taiilights combined…until now the x3 is still the ugliest of them all…nothing seems right…since it first came out…
CKD here la, sell $150k
Left hand drive, mau??
In Malaysia, better you don’t buy any car until all come out with their plug in hybrids. Otherwise, you will cry like the X5 owners who bought their X5 for RM588k and few months later, BMW Malaysia launched the X5 Plug In for RM388k.
Overnight, those owners who bought their x5 for RM588k, lost RM300k as they cannot even sell their 1 year old X5 for RM290k even.
Malaysian buyers should be careful. C segemt Altis, Civic and Slyphy and B segment City, Almera and Vios all coming out with their plug ins. They all will be selling their cars RM20k to RM50k cheaper.
You will cry like a baby if you had bought a tradition Altis, Civic, Slyphy, Vios, City or Alemra petrol version
Some pipu prefers non-hybrid version cuz the RV is better
The CKD sDrive20i is already classified as EEV so we are already getting it cheap. Exciting times ahead, hope to see every new CKD model launch include EEV status so early buyers don’t get burnt by cheaper prices later.
When in traffic jam use save battery mode??? I thought it would have been wiser to be on all-electric (max drive) mode in that situation to save the world from more emissions.
Why not bring X1 hybrid here?
So if you select only electric mode, this FWD X1 magically becomes a RWD car? And the battery placement is in the middle, does that mean no loss of boot space? That’s quite impressive re-engineering work done.
Bottom line is continue to read Paul Tan blog daily but stop buying cars for now! use your present car coz if it ain’t broken why fix it or change it.