The new BMW X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance has been unveiled at the Chengdu Motor Show 2016 as the latest addition to BMW’s family of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and the first plug-in hybrid in the compact luxury SUV segment.
Manufactured by BMW Brilliance, the new BMW X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance combines “driving pleasure with cleanliness and environmental protection in addition to luxury and quality,” according to the BMW press release. Moreover, it is fully in line with China’s development policy for the NEV industry.
The new BMW X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance was developed simultaneously with the new BMW X1 Series launched some time ago. The X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance borrows the innovative eDrive technology from the BMW i line-up to provide electric driving pleasure, offering BMW fans yet another choice for green travel.
The X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance runs on both electricity and fuel, the petrol engine and electric motor power the front and rear wheels with BMW’s intelligent energy management system taking care of on-demand power response and energy efficiency maximisation. The German automaker says that the design was inspired by bringing over innovations from the BMW i8 to other series-produced BMW models.
With BMW’s latest turbocharger technology, the 1.5-litre petrol engine at the front axle is mated to a six-speed integrated manual/automatic gearbox and churns out a maximum power output of 100 kW with peak torque clocking in at 220 Nm. The electric motor at the rear axle, on the other hand, produces power up to 70 kW and can instantaneously deliver a peak torque of 165 Nm at start-up. Thanks to BMW’s proprietary eBoost function, both power systems can provide a peak torque of 385 Nm allowing acceleration from stationary positions to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 7.4 seconds with a combined fuel consumption as low as 1.8 litres per 100 km (131 MPGe).
The X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance system comes packed with a high-voltage lithium battery with a net capacity of 10.7 kWh to provide a purely electric cruising range of 60 km (about 37 miles) and a combined cruising range of 630 km (about 391 miles) when working in tandem with the 35‑litre fuel tank. It delivers low emission and fuel consumption to meet the needs for driving in any situation, whether in the city, the suburbs or for driving long distances.
BMW’s eDrive technology offers three modes for controlling the energy source. The default Auto eDrive mode, which intelligently selects either a single or a combination of energy sources to maximise the combined energy efficiency with ease. Electric drive is initiated at speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph) or below, whether you are cruising at a constant speed or accelerating slightly. However, at any time you step hard on the accelerator or when the speed exceeds 80 km/h, the system activates the petrol engine automatically, letting both power systems work in tandem with each other to supply ample power and deliver the superior driving performance expected by the driver.
In Max eDrive mode, the car runs purely on electricity with zero emissions at speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph) and minimises the burden on the environment – especially in urban traffic jams. When expecting to run into a traffic jam, the driver can turn on the Save Battery mode to save the battery capacity for later zero-emission, purely electric driving.
As with all other X1 models, the X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance comes with BMW’s Driving Experience Control, offering Sport, Comfort and ECO PRO. The Sport mode is performance-oriented and brings an even better response from both the accelerator pedal and the engine. ECO PRO, on the other hand, takes energy efficiency as a priority and results in a relatively mild power response and reduced power consumption of in-car electrical equipment such as air-cons. Also, the Comfort mode strikes an optimal balance between comfort and energy efficiency.
Intelligent energy management, electrical energy priority and fuel efficiency. The only way to minimise fuel consumption and exhaust emissions is to prioritise the use of electricity drawn from the grid. With a 220V / 16A charging wall-box, the high-voltage lithium battery of the X1 xDrive25Le iPerformance can be fully charged in 3.7 hours and charged to 80% in just 2.9 hours.
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