Photo: BMW
Luxury automaker BMW has a goal of doubling electric vehicle (EV) deliveries this year to 200,000, and in a new step in that direction, the company officially plans to put a new EV into production later this year.
BMW unveiled its iX1 xDrive30 all-electric compact crossover, set to be a direct competitor with Tesla’s Model Y, the Mercedes EQA, and the Audi Q4 e-tron, according to a press release.
The vehicle will enter production in November, and will be released alongside variants in full battery-electric, gas and diesel options.
The iX1 will include a 64.8 kWh battery, a dual-axle motor system, and it will sport an overall range of 272 miles.
BMW Currently ‘Growing Faster Than Tesla’, Says Chairman https://t.co/O7k1uwdetZ
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) August 26, 2021
“The BMW iX1 xDrive30 is the first all-wheel-drive electric car introduced by the brand in the premium compact segment,” says BMW. The new all-electric will contain “two highly integrated drive units at the front and rear axles deliver a combined output of 230 kW/313 hp (taking the temporary boost effect into account), and post overall torque of 494 Nm (364 lb-ft).” The car will be able to go 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds.
The BMW X1 will go on sale in October, offering two options of both gas and diesel, and the electric hybrid and battery-electric versions will be released shortly after, according to BMW.
Last month, it was found that CATL will supply BMW with EV battery cells as soon as 2025.
BMW is expecting its EVs to be as profitable as gas cars by 2025, built on the automaker’s upcoming Neue Klasse EV platform.
In a report last year, it was shared that Stellantis is planning Level 3 self-driving automation through BMW in 2024, with Levels 4 and 5 through Waymo.
