Following its Registration of Interest (ROI) opening in April 2023, the BMW iX1 now makes its official Malaysian debut at the ongoing Malaysia Autoshow 2023.

Billed as BMW’s EV for the masses, the iX1, as its name suggests is the EV version of the (U11) X1 SUV. The BMW iX1 which is fully imported (CBU) from Germany and is offered here in the sole xDrive30 variant is priced at RM 285,800 inclusive of a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty and scheduled service program.

Also read: BMW iX1 EV open for ROI in Malaysia - 313 PS/494Nm, AWD

Powering the iX1 is a duo of electric motors, one located at the front axle and the other at the rear axle, providing all-wheel drive capability.

The iX1 features BMW’s fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology which packages the synchronous motor, power electronics and two-stage single-speed transmission within a compact housing. Maximum system output is rated at 313 PS and 494 Nm.

Also read: 2023 BMW iX1 EV SUV debuts alongside all-new X1 - With 313PS/494Nm and e-AWD

The iX1 is claimed to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 180 km/h.

Juicing the motors is a 64.7 kWh (usable energy) lithium-ion battery located flat beneath the underbody which is claimed to offer a maximum driving WLTP range of 440 km, even more than the larger BMW iX (xDrive 40) with a quoted 425 km.

Also read: Review: BMW iX xDrive40 Sport - Brilliant to drive, shame about the looks

The onboard charger in the BMW iX1 accepts up to 11 kW for AC charging, allowing the battery to be fully recharged from empty in 6.5 hours.

With a suitably fast DC fast charger, the iX1 can be recharged at up to 130 kW, which sees the battery recharged from 10 to 80 percent capacity in just 29 minutes.

As for suspension, the iX1 gets Adaptive M Suspension setup as standard. 

On the inside, the iX1 features the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system which features a curved 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display next to a larger 14.9-inch central touchscreen display.

The system is managed on the latest BMW Operating System 8 and features wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, Head Up Display (HUD) as well as Qi wireless charging as standard.

In terms of safety equipment, the iX1 is equipped with 8-airbags, ABS, traction control and the BMW Driving Assistant Plus package which includes lane departure warning, lane change warning, front and rear collision warning, front and rear AEB and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Automatic Speed Limit Assist as standard.  

There’s also Reversing Assistant which traces the last 50 meters of travel and Parking Assistant Plus which includes a 360-degree Panorama View camera which keeps drivers out of trouble in a tight parking area.

Exterior colour offerings for the First-Ever BMW iX1 include Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Cape York Green, M Portimao Blue, Storm Bay and Space Silver. Interior upholstery is available in either Alcantara Black with Blue Contrast Stitching, Leather Vernasca Black or Leather Vernasca Mocha.

As for the battery, the iX1 receives the commonplace 8-year/160,000 km warranty offered on other BMW Malaysia EV models. Starting today, customers may visit the BMW Malaysia website to pre-book the BMW iX1 at RM3,000.