Smallest SUV from BMW gets the brand’s latest battery tech for 50km of pure electric driving.
The X1 has become the latest SUV from BMW to sport an extra-large kidney grille as part of its mid-life update.
Other visual alterations are minor, though, like the new rear lamps and exhaust pipes. The same goes for the interior which sees mildly upgraded trim.
More crucial is in the engine department where a new plug-in hybrid is now available for global markets. Previously, only China received the semi-electric model since the pre-facelift of this current generation.
The so-called xDrive25e gets the latest in battery tech first seen in the i8 sports car. The 9.7kWh battery allows for 50km of pure electric driving which betters the China-only variant.
While a 125hp 1.5-litre petrol engine drives the front wheels, the 95hp electric system powers the rear ones to make this particular X1 all-wheel drive.
Although BMW says the xDrive25e will be available from early 2020, it can’t be confirmed yet whether it will join the regular diesel and petrol models on Thai assembly lines.
The Mini Countryman relative has a plug-in hybrid variant in other markets but has never reached Thai showrooms.
The introduction of the xDrive25e could be seen as timely since Mercedes-Benz is planning to launch the all-new GLB and second-generation GLA within a year from now.
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