The BMW Group is constantly driving its electrification strategy forward. It’s not without a reason that they see themselves as a pioneer in electric mobility. With the BMW i3 launched back in 2013 they were the first ones to have a fully electric vehicle for series production. Find more information on our test drive with the BMW i3 here. By the end of next year, BMW intends to have more than one million vehicles with electrified drive on the road. So beginning of this year a new plug-in hybrid has been presented – the BMW X1 xDrive25e.

While we visited the BMW Group Electric Days in Munich, we experienced the new BMW X1 plug-in hybrid with its intelligent controlled interaction between a fuel combustion engine and an electric motor for a locally emission-free travel of up to 57 kilometers in the fully electric driving mode. Of course the range depends on your driving mode, speed, number of passengers, additional devices such as heating or air conditioning. This interaction of a specially developed powerful electric motor taken from the eDrive technology modular system of the BMW Group and an efficient 1.5 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine ensures the dynamic driving performance and a low fuel consumption. The facts speak for themselves: with an average fuel consumption of 2.1 to 1.9 liters per 100 kilometers, CO2 emissions between 48 and 43 grams per kilometer, the BMW X1 xDrive25e sets a benchmark within its competitive field.

As previously said the the consumption value depends on various components. But behind is an intelligent hybrid system taking into account various elements from topography (navigation needs to be activated) to traffic sign recognition and recuperation. So in the city you can drive silently and emission-free. However if you are running out of battery, you only drive on with the combustion engine. The high-voltage battery can be easily charged at a conventional household socket and is fully charged within five hours. With the BMWi Wallbox, the charging process is a little bit quicker – within 3.2 hours you can experience again the fully electric driving. In addition to the standard AUTO eDrive setting, you can also choose the mode MAX eDrive or SAVE BATTERY. In the MAX eDrive setting you are on tour fully electric, which is perfect in the city or for your way to work – only if its no longer than 57 kilometers. In this mode you can reach a top speed of 135km/h. The SAVE BATTERY mode, enables you to maintain the charging state of the battery while driving or even to increase it by means of recuperation. Last but not least the new BMW X1 xDrive25e offers the three driving experiences Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro, which can be independently used from the driving mode.

Now experience with us the new BMW X1 xDrive25e in this short video.

The interior of the new BMW X1 is premium and simply classic. Everything is very neatly arranged and easy to use. It is equipped with innovations such as Apple CarPlay, telephony with wireless charging, the BMW Head-Up Display, a Control Display in 10.25" and intelligent safety systems such as Driving Assistant Plus and Parking Assistant. The AppleCarPlay is one feature that we don’t want to miss in a car. In a minimum of time your iPhone is wirelessly connected and you have access to telephony, iMessage, Whats app, Spotify and so on. So during our travel we do not have to pass on listening to our ellectric playlists.

Conclusion: The new BMW X1 xDrive25e has a nice, clean interior as well as exterior design. Overall it is very aesthetically pleasing. Despite of being an SUV, the X1 with its dimensions is still small enough for the city. And also the electric range of up to 57 kilometers is absolutely sufficient to cover routes in the city. So you can drive around silently, rather emission-free. In addition the BMW X1 xDrive25e is still dynamic and powerful enough on the country road and motorway. The X1 delivered us a high level of driving pleasure.

The BMW X1 xDrive25e starts at a price from 44.500 € and is eligible for grants of up to 5.625 € by the German government.

Pictures: BMW for ellectric
Text: Britta Reineke