BMW starts iX1 production in Germany

This week the production of the new BMW electric car started. The call to replace the i3 in a more abrupt generational change than usual and where BMW has chosen to eliminate a model and put a different one in its place. This is the BMW iX1 that will hit the market this fall and that this week has started production at the Regensburg plant.

With this step, combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric models will be built at this facility. In the case of the iX1, the production in Regensburg has an additional meaning and that is that the assembly of the battery pack is also carried out in this plant, so the transport distances for this element are minimal.

Production of the iX1 is based on the ‘BMW factory principle. where artificial intelligence will have a special role in different aspects, such as the painting area or the vehicle assembly itself. A format where artificial intelligence-assisted image recognition methods are there to help employees during quality inspections.

The iX1 will become the most economical electric option in the BMW family. A 4.5-meter-long compact SUV stands out for having attractive lines that bring it closer to the X3, but with a more compact body and where some color details stand out that allows it to differentiate itself from the hybrid model.

The new iX1 has debuted in the xDrive30 variant and has become the first all-wheel drive electric compact SUV developed by BMW. Equip an electric motor that pulls from the front axle and another that pushes from the rear. Total power is 230 kW (313 hp) and 494 Nm of torque, propelling it to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h. Versions with two-wheel drive are expected to arrive later, somewhat less powerful but more efficient and economical.

The engines are powered by a 64.7 kWh battery that is expected to be gross and should be around 60 kWh net. Thanks to this, the iX1 can achieve a range under the WLTP cycle of between 413 and 438 km.

In terms of charging, the iX1 xDrive30 has an alternating charge of up to 11 kW, 6.5 hours for a full charge, although it can reach 22 kW optionally, which will reduce the charging time up to 100% to 3.5 hours. As for continuous fast charging, it will have a peak of 130 kW that will allow it to go from 10 to 80% in 29 minutes or recover 120 km of autonomy in about 10 minutes.

As for prices, in Spain, the iX1 will be priced at 54,900 euros, which will place it in the middle of its segment where it will have to face models such as the Mercedes-Benz EQA, Volvo XC40, Audi Q4 e-tron, and a longer and longer, etc.