NewBiz Report

In a year where the Nepali automobile market is seeing the launch of new electric vehicle (EV) brands almost every month, the much-anticipated BMW iX1 Electric SAV has also debuted in Nepal.

Continuing its efforts to promote green vehicles, Laxmi Premium Motors, the sole importer and dealer of BMW automobiles in Nepal, has launched the new BMW iX1, an electric SUV in the premium compact segment.

The BMW iX1 eDrive20 offers an especially attractive entry into the world of premium electric mobility. This second all-electric model variant of the compact SAV is powered by an electric motor with a maximum output of 150 kW (204 hp) and has a range of 430 to 475 kilometers.

Like all of the brand's current electric vehicles, the new BMW iX1 eDrive20 uses the latest fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. A highly integrated drive unit on the front axle generates an instantly available maximum torque of 250 Nm alongside a maximum output of 150 kW (204 hp). The compact SAV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 170 km/h.

The high-voltage battery, housed in the vehicle floor to save space, has a usable energy content of 64.78 kWh. Its high energy density, combined with the efficiency of the e-motor, contributes to the car’s favorable power consumption and delivers an excellent range compared to the competition.

The Combined Charging Unit of the new BMW iX1 eDrive20 enables AC charging with up to 11 kW as standard, allowing the high-voltage battery to be charged from zero to 100 percent within 6.5 hours. Optional three-phase AC charging with an output of up to 22 kW reduces charging time to 3.75 hours. The battery can also be charged using direct current with a power of up to 130 kW, increasing its state of charge from 10 to 80 percent within 29 minutes at a fast-charging station.

These short charging times are achieved through highly efficient charging software, which precisely controls the charging power while energy is being fed in. Additionally, anticipatory thermal management ensures the high-voltage battery is optimally temperature-controlled before a stop at a fast-charging station. Battery pre-conditioning can be manually activated and deactivated by the customer at any time.

The new BMW iX1 eDrive20 offers a comprehensive range of standard equipment, including 2-zone automatic air conditioning, numerous modern driver assistance systems, the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assist Camera, and a host of innovative digital features. The new BMW iDrive with "QuickSelect" and the BMW Operating System 9 are also standard, providing a wider range of digital content for information and entertainment.

The BMW Curved Display serves as the centerpiece of the display and control system, featuring a 10.25-inch Information Display and a Control Display with a screen diagonal of 10.7 inches, all under a single curved glass surface oriented towards the driver. The latest BMW iDrive generation introduces a redesigned start screen with "QuickSelect", offering an improved menu structure reminiscent of consumer electronics devices.

With "QuickSelect", functions can be accessed directly without the need to navigate through submenus, enhancing the system's intuitive touch operation and natural language control. This refinement ensures that the new BMW iDrive is even more user-friendly and seamlessly integrates into the driving experience.