BMW X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance update to debut at Auto Shanghai 2019 – 83% more range, 1.3 l/100 km

BMW will unveil an updated version of its X1 xDrive25Le at this year’s Auto Shanghai, promising increased range and better efficiency. The X1 xDrive25Le is a plug-in hybrid model based on the Chinese-market X1 Long Wheelbase, and is produced at BMW Brilliance Automotive’s Tiexi plant in Shenyang, China.

Most of powertrain components are as before, including a 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and six-speed Steptronic gearbox to drive the front wheels, while an electric motor handles the rear ones. The total system output is 231 PS and 382 Nm of torque, which results in a zero to 100 km/h time of 7.4 seconds.

However, it is the drive system’s improved lithium-ion battery that helps increase the vehicle’s range by 83%, while reducing fuel consumption by some 72% to 1.3 litres per 100 km.

According to BMW, the reworked cells in the battery now use a ratio of 8:1:1 of nickel, cobalt and manganese in the anode material. The expanded nickel share increases energy density, while the reduction in the cobalt component means that less rare earth material is required.

The carmaker didn’t disclose extra facts and figures (or even photos for now), but the pre-updated X1 xDrive25Le’s battery has a capacity of 10.7 kWh, so the new one should see an improvement. These changes do result in a battery that remains the same size, but is heavier by 2.5 kg. As before, the battery is manufactured in Shenyang.

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