The German carmaker managed to increase the efficiency of the new X1 xDrive25Le by some 72% per cent than before and has equipped it with an extensive range of standard equipment to enhance comfort and safety.
Produced at BMW Brilliance Automotive’s Tiexi plant in Shenyang, China, the German compact SAV was China's top-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle in the premium SUV segment last year and was conceived especially to meet the needs and preferences of Chinese customers.
The X1 was on display at the April 16-25 Auto Shanghai 2019.
With a market share of more than 8%, the company leads the worldwide ranking of established premium providers of vehicles that are purely electrically powered or run on plug-in hybrid systems.
In 2018 the BMW Group was the market leader in the premium segment of electrified vehicles in both Germany and in China.
As one of the four future-oriented ACES areas of action (Autonomous, Connected, Electrified and Services/Shared), electromobility is one of the key elements of the BMW Group’s strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT.
During the remainder of the year, the range of BMW models with electrified drive will be expanded with new models that will include the 7 Series, 330e Sedan, X3 xDrive30e and X5 xDrive45e.
Additionally, the company will employ its latest battery cell technology to boost range and efficiency for its 530e and 225xe Active Tourer.
The new high-voltage lithium-ion battery cells use the ratio of nickel, cobalt and manganese in a ratio of 8:1:1.
The expanded nickel share increases energy density, while the reduction in the cobalt component means that less rare earth material is required.
Despite the fact that the design is still compact, the weight of the battery – which is positioned at a very low point in the vehicle floor – is only increased by 2.5kg.
Like the vehicle as a whole, the high-voltage battery is made at the Shenyang site.
The plug-in hybrid system of the new BMW X1 xDrive25Le comprises of a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine for the front wheels, with an electric motor for the rear wheels.
Together they generate a system output of 231hp and 382Nm with a six-speed Steptronic transmission managing power delivery and allowing the X1 xDrive25Le to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 7.4 seconds.
