BMW ix1 set for Australian launch from $82,900 - could this be the best BMW SUV?

BMW’s iX1 is a restrained-yet-contemporary design, but won’t be available in North America. Images: BMW AG.

The BMW x1 was first introduced in 2009 as a subcompact SUV, and over the last 12 years, over one million vehicles have been produced. The first all-electric iX1 will be based on the company’s FAAR platform (think 1-series, 2-series, X1 and X2 models) which is a flexible architecture designed for front-wheel drive combustion, hybrid and electric drivetrains.

Specifications:

Power unit - Twin motor electric

Drive - All wheel (xDrive)

Power (kW) - 230

Torque (Nm) - 494

HV battery (kWh) - 65

0-100km/h (sec) - 5.6

Consumption (kWh/100km) - 19.0-16.8

EV range (WLTP) - Up to 440km

The BMW ix1 will start from $82,900 plus on-road costs in Australia - good value in our eyes for premium SUV with around 400km of real-world range, plentiful standard equipment and impressive performance figures. Customers will be able to choose the xLine or M Sport variant, for no additional cost:

BMW iX1 Standard Equipment - Australia

- Metallic paintwork  

- Panorama Glass Sunroof

- BMW IconicSounds Electric

- Active Sport Seats featuring lumbar support and massage function

- Tyre pressure monitoring system

- Adaptive M Suspension
- harmon/kardon Surround Sound System

- Sensatec upholstery (new generation, perforated)

- Seat heating, front

- DAB Digital Radio
- Navigation system with augmented reality technology

- Reversing camera

- Sport leather steering wheel

- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless phone charging
- xLine styling inc. roof rails
- Two-zone automatic climate control
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Automatic tailgate
- BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant
- BMW Live Cockpit Professional
- Comfort Access and Digital Key
- Connected Package Professional
- BMW Head-Up Display
- Instrument panel in Sensatec
- M headliner in Anthracite
- Mirror package inc. anti-dazzle function
- Remote Software Updates

- Driving Assistant Professional inc. Steering and Lane Control System, Active Cruise Control inc.

Stop&Go and Blind Spot Monitor
- Parking Assistant Plus with Surround view camera, Reversing Assistant and Drive Recorder
- BMW electric xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system

Charging features

- 22kW AC onboard charging capability

- 130kW DC onboard charging capability
- Flexible Fast Charge Cable (Mode 2)
- Public Charging Cable (Mode 3)
- 3-year complimentary Chargefox Subscription

While the iX1 “only” charges at a peak of 130kW when plugged into a DC fast charger, this should still be enough to replenish 10-80% of range in around 30 minutes. Like with the iX3 and iX battery electric vehicles, BMW Australia provides a 3 year complimentary Chargefox DC fast charging subscription.

Should customers have access to 3-phase power, the iX1 will charge at up to 22kW on AC electricity. The iX1 will offer connectivity to the My BMW App - something that is now expected from EVs on sale. The app will allow the remote setting of climate control, as well as managing charging timers, and pre-entering navigation destinations in the vehicle.

The iX1 will feature the company’s dual-screen setup, and a range of premium materials.

Colours and Trims

Non-metallic (no cost option)

- Alpine White
Metallic (all no cost options)
- Mineral White

- Black Sapphire

- Space Silver
- Phytonic Blue^
- M Portimao Blue
- Sanremo Green^
- Cape York Green
- Utah Orange^
BMW Individual
- BMW Individual Frozen Pure Grey metallic: $3200

Upholstery

• Sensatec, Black (No cost option)

• Sensatec, Oyster (No cost option)

• Sensatec, Mocha (No cost option)

• Alcantara/Sensatec combination, Black contrast stitching in blue (M Sport only)

Interior trims

• Fine wood trim Eucalyptus open-pored (No cost option)

• Interior trim finishers Aluminium ‘Mesheffect’ (No cost option)

• Interior trim finishers Aluminium Hexacube dark (M Sport only)

The BMW iX1 will launch in Q1 2023, and BMW will be looking to compete with Volvo’s XC40 Recharge, the Mercedes-Benz EQB and Tesla’s Model Y. Stay tuned for more information closer to the launch.

First look at Volkswagen's upcoming ID.5 GTX electric SUV coupe

Personally, I hate the “SUV coupe” nomenclature that has sprung up over the last few years, but the industry seems to have adopted it with vigour. Traditionally, the term coupe came from a four-wheeled vehicle that could hold two passengers. In the mid-20th century, it came to define desirable, low-roofed sports cars that could carry two passengers comfortably, and four at a pinch.

Are they pointless? Perhaps. after all, the whole point of an SUV is to carry more stuff and more bodies over a wagon or sedan right? Are they going anywhere? absolutely not.

And so it goes with the Volkswagen Group. We’ve seen Audi introduce various Q3/Q5/Q8 sloping-roof-coupe-things to much sales success; Porsche lopped the back off its Cayenne to produce the Cayenne Coupe, and now we have the group’s first all-electric coupe SUV variant.

The ID.5 range will include this range-topping GTX model, sharing the same dual-motor AWD setup as its ID.4 GTX sibling, as well as it’s 77 kWh (net) battery. Volkswagen claims a 250 mile (402 km) range. A single-motor rear wheel drive variant will also be available.

Volkswagen has faced a slow start to sales of its electric ID range in China, however sales in Europe have eclipsed the likes of Kia’s Niro EV, the Skoda Enyaq, Volvo XC40 Recharge and its sister ID.3 electric hatch, and sales in North America must be pleasing Wolfsburg; the ID.4 made up 4.8 per cent of Volkswagen North America’s total sales in Q2 2021.

Autogefühl already has a first drive impression video which you can watch below, and Volkswagen has provided additional exterior driving footage.

Expect a full reveal during Munich’s IAA Mobility 2021 on September 5.

Source: Volkswagen

BMW teases i4 electric sedan with new images and details; BMW M Performance version to follow

BMW shows off its first all electric sports sedan - the i4 Gran Coupe with up to 590km (366mi) WLTP range

BMW has teased exterior images of the new i4 Gran Coupe EV at its annual conference in Munich, Germany overnight. The automaker is drawing out the launch, with full technical specifications and interior images to be released over the next few weeks.

BMW promises up to 590km (366mi) WLTP range, power up to 390 kW (530PS) as well as a BMW Motorsport version (eventually). We can expect the i4 Gran Coupe to compete against a range of vehicles in the competitive sports sedan class, from Tesla’s Model 3, Model S and Polestar 2 at the more affordable end, to the Porsche Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT when BMW announces an i4 Gran Coupe M Performance.

Broadly sharing most of the design details from the concept i4, the usual “toning down” has taken place, with less futuristic headlights to satisfy various legal and cost constraints, conventional side mirrors and smaller wheels.

The large “grille” remains, along with vertical front intakes, slim, broad taillights and BMW’s signature Hofmeister kink on the rear doors. We like it; though it lacks the “wow” effect of the concept i4, proportions are sound, and the design details are contemporary. One thing though; please lose the blue highlights BMW!

The BMW Concept i4 vs. the production i4:

The BMW concept i4

The BMW i4 Gran Coupe

The i4 will be built on BMW’s flexible and modular CLuster ARchitecture (CLAR) platform, on which the iX3 and iX SUVs are based. Notably, BMW will produce the i4 Gran Coupe on the same production lines as petrol and diesel models, thanks to a massive €200 million retooling of the Munich assembly plant.

Most manufacturers—including BMW—are focusing on the development of crossovers and SUVs based on their next generation electric architectures, so it’s great to see Munich also prioritising an all-electric sports saloon.

As mentioned, further technical details and imagery is expected to be launched over the next few weeks. While BMW has yet to reveal pricing and launch timing, we can expect the i4 to follow the iX SUV to market in early 2022.

Images: BMW AG

BMW announces iX xDrive40, xDrive50 ahead of Q4 2021 Australian launch

BMW has today confirmed that it’s first-ever iX model line will reach Australian shores in the fourth-quarter of 2021, in the form of the iX xDrive40 and iX xDrive50.

The BMW iX is currently undergoing its final phase of series development, and is the first model based on a new, modular and scalable toolkit which will underpin the brand’s future electric vehicles.

Full specifications are yet to be released, but BMW claims “In excess of” 370kW and 240kW developed by BMW iX xDrive50 and iX xDrive40 drive systems respectively, allowing 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) sprint times of five seconds for the iX xDrive50 and six seconds for the iX xDrive40.

The iX xDrive 50 will offer a WLTP range of more than 600km, and the xDrive40 a range of 500 km. BMW claims an energy consumption figure of less than 21kWh per 100 kilometres for both models.

While BMW hasn’t revealed full battery specifications, they have stated that the xDrive50 will have a gross energy content of “more than 100kWh” with 200kW charging, while the battery unit for the BMW iX xDrive40 has a gross energy content of “more than 70kWh” with 150kW charging.

In terms of technology, the iX range will debut BMW’s newest iteration of iDrive including BMW Operating System 8 which debuted this week.

BMW iX xDrive40 starts from £69,000 ($96,000 USD or $124,000 AUD) in the UK, so expect it to launch closer to $150,000 when it arrives in Australia later this year. It’s understood that BMW is working on an M motorsport-honed variant too. We will keep you updated as further details and pricing are released closer to launch.

BMW readies electric i4 performance sedan for production with final calibration drive

BMW aims to bring signature dynamics to new EV sedan

2021 is set to be a bumper year as mainstream automakers launch an electric vehicle onslaught in response to changing customer demands and governmental zero emissions mandates around the world.

The BMW i4 is set for production later in 2021, and the German automaker has released more information, photos and video from the vehicle’s final calibration drive. Expected to evolve from the striking Concept i4, it’s likely that—love it or hate it—the bold, elongated kidney grille will make it to the production model.

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The 2020 BMW Concept i4. Image: BMW USA

BMW claims the production i4 will sport 390 kW (530 hp), and will scoot to 100kmh (62mph) in just 4.0 seconds. The BMW i4 will feature an 80kWh high-voltage battery pack with 150kW fast charging, and its expected to weigh around 550kg. BMW provides a claimed range of around 600 kilometres (373 miles).

It’s expected the i4 will share many visual similarities with the upcoming 4-series GranCoupe. These photos were taken during a final prototype calibration drive, which BMW claims was used to ensure that “the spontaneous power delivery of the electric motor is combined with precisely controllable handling in every situation, fascinating cornering dynamic, optimised traction in all weather and road conditions and perfectly balanced ride comfort”.

BMW is focusing on ride and handling—typical hallmarks of cars from Munich—and the company claims that “The BMW i4 conveys the feeling of being light and agile yet also solid and authoritative,” according to project manager David Alfredo Ferrufino Camacho. He goes on to add “With its superior directional reliability and high level of cornering stability, it seems to literally attach itself to the road. All electric vehicles are capable of fast straight-line acceleration. But that’s not enough for us at BMW.”

The i4 will likely launch after the compact iX3 and full-size iX SUVs, as the third all-electric model out of five planned by 2025. The company also plans for 12 all-electric vehicles across the BMW Group, which includes, Mini and luxury brand Rolls Royce. It’s all part of a European Union mandate to ensure automakers achieve a target of 50g/km or less of CO2 across 40 per cent of their fleets by 2030.

You can view the press images, a video of the i4 going sideways and the full press release below.

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Images: BMW AG

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Press Release:

Munich. When an ideal balance is called for between dynamics and ride comfort, the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series models consistently set the benchmark within their segments in the premium market. In terms of electrically powered vehicles, the new BMW i4 is set to take on this role very soon. The first purely electrically powered 4-door Gran Coupé enriches locally emission-free mobility with sheer driving pleasure.

“For the first time, we’ve developed a BMW with sporty DNA for purely electric driving entirely from scratch,” explains project manager David Alfredo Ferrufino Camacho. “The BMW i4 offers everything BMW stands for – and it’s fully electric, too.”  

A few months prior to its world premiere, the BMW i4 is currently completing the final phase of driving dynamics testing. The focus here is on the integrated application of all drive and suspension components, ensuring that the spontaneous power delivery of the electric motor is combined with precisely controllable handling in every situation, fascinating cornering dynamics, optimised traction in all weather and road conditions and perfectly balanced ride comfort. For the purpose of this fine-tuning process, the BMW Group applies its technological expertise in the areas of drive and suspension drawn from decades of experience. This gives the new BMW i4 a mature premium character and makes for a driving experience that is unique within the competitive environment.

Excitingly calm: sprinting with the BMW i4.

With a maximum output of up to 390 kW/530 hp, the electric powertrain in the BMW i4 enables impressive acceleration manoeuvres: it reaches the 100 km/h mark in just four seconds from standstill. But even more impressive than its pure sprint capacity is the driving response it conveys. A model-specific damper technology reduces the dipping movements of the body at the moment of set-off, while the actuator-related wheel slip limitation (ARB) developed by BMW with its extremely fast and precise control guarantees optimum traction and perfect straight-line stability at all times – even on slippery road surfaces. This makes the catapult-like sprint in the new BMW i4 an experience that is both exciting and carefree, because it is not affected by drive slip or course corrections.

However, fascinating acceleration is only one aspect of the superior performance characteristics that define the BMW i4. Other distinguishing features include its spontaneous reactions to every movement – not just of the accelerator pedal but also of the steering and the brake pedal. The prerequisites for this high level of agility and precision are anchored in the underlying vehicle concept of the BMW i4. This includes the car's long wheelbase, wide track widths, model-specific camber values, large wheels, as well as the high torsional rigidity and the vehicle’s low centre of gravity and weight balance.

Effortless precision: taking the bend on the ideal line.

All these parameters were taken into account in detail in the integrated application of the drive and suspension components so as to ensure hallmark BMW sporty flair in every situation on the road. The design and tuning of the suspension and damping systems consistently ensure optimum road contact. At the same time, the virtually silent drive in combination with the sophisticated suspension technology gives the impression of an effortlessly floating vehicle even at higher speeds, entirely unaffected by bumps in the road or difficult traction conditions.

“The BMW i4 conveys the feeling of being light and agile yet also solid and authoritative,” says project manager David Alfredo Ferrufino Camacho. “With its superior directional reliability and high level of cornering stability, it seems to literally attach itself to the road. All electric vehicles are capable of fast straight-line acceleration. But that’s not enough for us at BMW.”

The BMW i4 is also effortlessly controllable – even in highly dynamic driving situations. In addition to its neutral self-steering behaviour and its powerful, precisely controllable brakes, the steering in the BMW i4 is a major contributing factor here: it responds directly and with a high degree of accuracy, offering the driver precise feedback at all times while remaining entirely independent of drive forces, even during intensive acceleration or deceleration. Lane changes at high speeds are mastered with ease, while relaxed driving over long distances is ensured by the speed-related Servotronic power steering and the fact that the vehicle is largely insusceptible to any disruption caused by road bumps.

Typical BMW: the unique balance between sporty flair and ride comfort.

The distinctive driving dynamics of the BMW i4 derive partly from the fact that its performance characteristics are not achieved at the expense of driving comfort. The purely electrically powered Gran Coupé is characterised by unrestricted suitability for day-to-day use. Fitted with a high-voltage storage system featuring the latest battery cell technology that enables a range of up to 600 kilometres (WLTP), the chassis technology of the BMW i4 is designed for long-distance comfort, too. It is based on the high-quality damper technology, supplemented with model-specific components and separately tuned. This effectively reduces body vibrations due to road unevenness and on bends. The model-specific fine-tuning of the suspension and damping contributes significantly to the harmonious driving characteristics of the BMW i4.

At the same time as the final calibration runs are being held, preparations are underway for the production start-up at BMW Group Plant Munich. (See link to related press release.)
Here, every single production step is currently undergoing validation before the BMW i4 receives its final stamp of approval for characteristic BMW delivery quality.