BMW launches iX1 electric SUV at Rs 66.90 lakh in India

BMW has launched the all-electric iX1 xDrive30 SUV for Rs 66.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The SUV is based on the popular BMW X1, which was not just the bestselling luxury SUV for the brand in FY2023, but also the bestseller overall. We broke the story earlier this month that the EV SUV is set to come to India, and it is now available in a single trim.

BMW iX1 exterior and interior 

Since it's based on the combustion-engined X1, the electric iX1 gets an almost identical design although with an 'i' on the front grille to differentiate it from the ICE vehicle. The SUV rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and gets adaptive suspension. It’s available in a choice of four monotone colours –grey, silver, black and white.

On the inside, the SUV features a 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that is operated using BMW’s iDrive operating system. The digital information display is a 10.25-inch unit and the interiors are finished in  Aluminium ‘Mesheffect' with chrome highlight accents. The rear bench can be reclined and the SUV has a boot space of 490 litres.

BMW iX1 features and safety 

The iX1 has features like two-zone climate control, front seats with massage functions, a Harmon Kardon sound system with 12 speakers, 6 ambient lighting modes and a panoramic sunroof. The SUV also gets adaptive LED headlights, automatic tailgate operation and parking assist.

The iX1 gets similar equipment as the ICE SUV with features such as ABS, ESP, traction control and ADAS. Since it's an electric vehicle and has no engine noise, it comes equipped with a feature that plays an artificial sound to alert people on the road about the presence of a vehicle. This works at a speed of up to 30 kph only. 

BMW iX1 battery, range and performance

The BMW iX1 comes equipped with a motor at each axle that gives it all-wheel drive capability. The combined power output figures are 313hp and 494Nm, which give the EV a 0-100kph speed of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 180kph. The SUV utilises a 66.4kWh battery pack and has a claimed range of 440km.

Using a standard 11kW AC charger, the BMW’s battery can be charged from 0-100 percent in 6.3 hours. With a 130kW DC fast charger, the battery can be charged from 10-80 percent in just 29 minutes.

BMW iX1 price and rivals 

The BMW iX1 xDrive 30 is the most affordable electric vehicle BMW offers in the country. It also sells the i4 sedan, the iX SUV and the opulent i7.

The BMW iX1 sits between the EQB and XC  with rivals like the Volvo XC40 Recharge (Rs 56.9 lakh), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Rs 45.95 lakh), Kia EV6 (Rs 60.95 lakh) and Mercedes EQB (Rs 77.50 lakh). However, the brand could locally assemble the EV here in the future, as they are doing with the X1, to lower the prices.

Also see: 

BMW i5 revealed with two powertrain options

India-spec BMW i7 M70 details revealed; launch soon