The iX1 will be BMW’s cheapest electric car

The iX1 will be BMW’s cheapest electric car

BMW iX1 eDrive20 is the name of BMW’s new, less expensive electric car. With a starting price of less than half a million kroner and better range compared to the iX1 model already sold in Norway, this could be an interesting car for Norwegians with a slimmer wallet.

Big drawback?

However, there is a certain part in the name that should be pointed out. The famous “x”, which since the 1980s has meant all-wheel drive in BMW parlance, has been replaced by an “e”.

This means that BMW’s affordable electric car doesn’t have four-wheel drive, and unfortunately, it also doesn’t have rear-wheel drive as some had hoped.

It’s perhaps a shame that the new BMW iX1 eDrive20 doesn’t have all-wheel drive, because there’s reason to believe that such features are highly regarded among cabin-loving Norwegians. According to figures released by the Road Traffic Information Board (OFV), so far this year, approx. 97,000 cars, including 63,000 four-wheel drive cars.

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The BMW iX1 is 4.5 meters long and 1.84 meters wide. For families who don’t have very large space requirements, it can be large enough. The luggage compartment space is also 490 litres. Image: BMW

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Although the new BMW iX1 eDrive20 doesn’t come with all-wheel drive or classic rear-wheel drive, it may spark interest among those who value range.

The all-wheel drive version of the iX1 xDrive30 has a WLTP range of between 439 and 417 kilometers depending on additional equipment, while the new entry-level model has a range of between 474 and 430 kilometres.

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It may make sense to opt for a lightly equipped ‘cheap’ model to ensure the promised range. BMW states a starting price of NOK 466,500, but it’s smart enough without paying delivery costs anyway.

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The guide price including delivery is a slightly less attractive NOK 480,021 before equipment, while the all-wheel drive version costs about NOK 40,000 more.

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0 to 100 km/h should be done in 8.6 seconds.  Image: BMW

0 to 100 km/h should be done in 8.6 seconds. Image: BMW

This is how fast it charges

Since there’s not really much difference between the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive model, it will be interesting to see if electric-car-hungry Norwegians will prioritize range over accessibility. If you opt for the BMW iX1 eDrive20, you’ll get a single electric motor up front with 204 PS and 250 Nm. 0 to 100 will go away in 8.6 seconds and top speed is said to be 170km/h.

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The net capacity of the battery is 64.8 kilowatts per hour, while fast charging is carried out at a maximum power of 130 kilowatts. In comparison, the Audi Q4 e-tron charges with a much greater power of 175 kW. The iX1 electric car is manufactured at the Regensburg plant in Germany, and the new car is expected to enter production in November.

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Delivery in Norway

– When can customers expect to receive the car if they order these days?

– There is a good supply of cars, but I don’t know if we will be able to get the car here before the new year, says BMW Group Communications Director Norway, Marius Tejneby.

It is noteworthy that there are no restrictions on the choice of equipment, as BMW and many other automakers have experienced in recent years.

Tannibi also envisions that BMW iX1 sales will remain weighted towards the all-wheel drive model and that the new model could be delivered from the turn of the year.

This article was first published in Finansavisen engine.

Dalila Awolowo

Dalila Awolowo

"Explorer. Unapologetic entrepreneur. Alcohol fanatic. Certified writer. Wannabe tv evangelist. Twitter fanatic. Student. Web scholar. Travel buff."

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