BMW PH launches iX1, iX2 all-electric SUVs

MANILA: SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation, the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippine market, has expanded its electric vehicle lineup with the introduction of the iX1 eDrive20 XLine and the iX2 eDrive20 M Sport. 

The two all-new vehicles are the fully electric equivalent of the German marque’s two popular compact sport utility vehicles (SUV). The iX1 is based on the X1 (U11), while the iX2 was derived from the X2 (U10). 

So, what are the two EV models offering for prospective buyers?

BMW iX1 eDrive20 XLine

Style-wise, the iX1 was provided by the Munich-headquartered car maker with a combination of elegant and commanding design details. 

Up front, it sports a large, closed-off version of the marque’s signature kidney grille. The aforementioned is flanked by sleek LED headlights, while the lower portions of its front fascia were fitted with a prominent bumper. 

From the side, the vehicle exhibits a sloping roofline, a chrome-decorated window line, power-folding side mirrors, flush door handles, and a set of 18-inch aerodynamic wheels. Towards its rear, the said model features a pair of hook-shaped LED taillights, a power tailgate, and a sculpted rear lower bumper. 

The iX1 offers a spacious interior with plenty of room for five occupants. Everyone inside the vehicle is cooled by a two-zone automatic climate control system, and most interior surfaces are finished in soft-touch materials or polished decorative bits. 

The seats of the iX1 are clad in Veganza leather upholstery. The driver and front passenger seats, meanwhile, both have electronic adjustability, lumbar support, and plenty of bolstering. The model’s rear seat, on the other hand, has a 40:20:40 split-folding feature. With the rear seats folded down, the BMW SUV’s boot space can be stretched up to 1,600 liters from its default 540 liters. 

For on-board entertainment, the iX1 was kitted out with the BMW Live Cockpit Plus. The aforementioned is underpinned by the German luxury car brand’s Operating System 9, which is comprised of a 10.25-inch digital gauge and a 10.7-inch infotainment screen. Together, the two displays form a widescreen equipped with state-of-the-art graphics and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. 

Other notable interior features of the iX1 include a Harman Kardon premium sound system, an M Anthracite headliner, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a sports leather steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, and the BMW ConnectedDrive Services. 

Safety for the iX1 is handled by an array of standard and advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). The model’s ADAS suite includes an automatic parking assist system, adaptive cruise control, front-collision warning, a reversing assistant, and lane control, among others. 

Propelling the iX1 is a 64.8 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, which feeds a single motor setup. At maximum, the powertrain can produce up to 204 horsepower (hp) and 247 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque.

According to BMW, the iX1 can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 8.6 seconds. It also has an estimated electric range of 430-473 kilometers. 

BMW iX2 eDrive20 M Sport

Appearance-wise, the iX2 eDrive20 M Sport clearly lives up to its moniker. Up front, it gets a more compact but sharper version of the brand’s kidney grille, an angier-looking pair of LED headlamp clusters, and plenty of blacked-out bits on its lower bumper courtesy of the BMW M Sport appearance package. Topping off its front fascia is a muscular hood. 

From the side, the front portion of the iX2 starts off similarly to its iX1 sibling, but its rear features a more dramatic coupe-like slope, which leads towards chunky-looking rear haunches.

Additionally, the rear of the vehicle features a pair of sporty LED taillights, an aggressively designed rear diffuser, and a prominent tailgate spoiler. Wrapping up the look of the iX2 is a set of 19-inch spoked alloy wheels.  

Like the iX1, the iX2 comes with the BMW Live Cockpit Plus digital dashboard. It gets the same 10.25-inch digital gauge and 10.7-inch infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging, and satellite navigation, among others. 

It likewise gets the same standard safety features and ADAS kit, though its Veganza leather seats feature more suede-like inserts. 

Just like the iX1, the iX2 is propelled by a single motor that’s fed by a 64.8 kWh battery. The said motor can also produce up to 204 hp, but it has a slightly higher torque output of 250 Nm. Compared to its sibling, the sportier-looking model also has a more generous estimated electric range of 439-478 km. 

Price

Pricing for the BMW iX1 eDrive 20 XLine is set at P3.99 million, while the iX2 eDrive 20 M Sport retails at P4.29 million. 

Included with each purchase of either two is a BMW wallbox charger, which will be installed in the car buyer’s home for free. Also, the two EV models are packaged with a five-year BMW factory warranty. 

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