BMW X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance:: China-only PHEV revealed
The BMW X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has been revealed at the Chengdu motor show in China this week.
Adding to the company’s growing family of electrically-assisted iPerformance models, which already includes the X5 xDrive40e and 740e, the new X1 variant is capable of consuming fuel at a rate of just 1.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
The X1 xDrive25Le pairs a 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine on the front axle with a 70kW/165Nm electric motor on the rear axle to deliver a meaty combined torque figure of 385Nm, helping it to sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds.
Under the floor is a 10.7kWh battery pack that offers a pure-electric range of up to 60 kilometres and a combined cruising range of up to 630 kilometres from the - relatively small - 35-litre fuel tank.
Three hybrid modes can be selected, the first being Auto eDrive - which uses one or both power sources depending on driving conditions to maximise efficiency.
In Max eDrive, the car runs purely on electricity at speeds of up to 120km/h, which produces zero emissions.
Meanwhile, Save Battery mode does as the name suggests, saves the battery by relying on the petrol engine to power the car.
Above: the larger X5 xDrive40e, available in Australia
Despite being eco-friendly, the X1 xDrive25Le is still as practical of its conventionally-powered siblings, featuring a 445-litre boot with the rear seats up which expands to 1550 litres with the seats folded down.
Standard features on the X1 iPerformance include a panoramic sunroof, automatic tailgate, access to BMW ConnectedDrive services - which allows owners to use concierge and real-time traffic information services, amongst others - along with compatibility with the BMW Remote app.
Using the smartphone application, customers can remotely turn on the air-conditioning, view vehicle status, check efficiency data along with setting navigation routes.
To cater for the plug-in charging aspect of the new hybrid, BMW will provide a home charging system for customers, along with semi-public community charging services for those without fix parking areas.
In addition to the aforementioned initiatives, BMW is also working with its partners build public charging infrastructures - though this is presumably for China only.
Like the rest of the X1 long-wheelbase range, the new X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance will only be available in the Chinese market.
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