BMW is stepping up its challenge to Tesla with the iX1 full-electric compact crossover.
The iX1 xDrive30, which goes into production in November, will compete against the Mercedes EQA, Audi Q4 e-tron and the Tesla Model Y.
The crossover sits between its two German rivals at 4500 mm long versus 4463 mm for the EQA and 4588 mm for the Q4. The Tesla Model Y is longer at 4750 mm.
The iX1 will use a 64.8 kilowatt-hour battery to give a maximum range of 438 km (272 miles). Electric efficiency is measured at a maximum 17.3 kWh per 100km.
Two electric motors come as standard, one for each axle, to give a combined power of 313 hp, including what BMW calls a ‘temporary boost.’
The crossover will accelerate from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds, BMW said.
The car can recharge at a maximum rate of 130 kW with DC (direct current) fast charging and has a standard on-board 11 kWAC (alternating current) charger, with an option to increase to 22kW.
X1 updated
BMW has also updated the internal combustion engine X1, now in its third generation, adding more electrified drivetrains.
The car gets the BMW Operating System 8 and BMW Curved Display plus a wider selection of automated driving and parking systems.
It will go on sale in October, initially with a choice of two gasoline and two diesel engines. The all-electric iX1, along with two plug-in hybrid models and another two conventionally powered variants with 48-volt mild hybrid technology, will follow shortly after, BMW said.
The two plug-in hybrid versions use a 14.2 kWh battery to give an electric-only range of up to 89 km.
The BMW X1 xDrive25e and the more powerful xDrive30e mate a rear-mounted electric motor with a three-cylinder gasoline engine driving the front wheels.
The addition of the all-electric iX1 as well as a China-only i3 version of the 3-series sedan, will push the automaker’s EV offerings to 15, BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said on an earnings call in May.
All the X1 models will be built on a single production line at BMW’s Regensburg plant in Germany.
BMW did not disclose pricing for the iX1. The EV is not scheduled to be sold in the U.S.