Latest news with #iX1
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Choosing luxury can reap rewards in the EV market
To some people, luxury is synonymous with wasteful. But small details can make all the difference to the pleasure of our daily lives. Not only do they feel good, but the right textures, soothing sounds and optimised experiences can deliver more and last longer, offering value as well as sustainability. If you're choosing an electric vehicle (EV) in today's market, you may be weighing up whether opting for luxury is worth it. Here are six ways BMW's EV range, in particular the BMW iX1 xDrive30, unifies quality considerations, sustainability goals and cost benefits to make luxury worthwhile – and all the more attainable. BMW offers full EV and plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) vehicles in sedan and SUV configurations to give drivers options that suit their lifestyles. These vehicles offer ranges of up to 624km. With the iX1 xDrive30, you can enjoy a range of up to 400km, alongside 120km of recharge range in just 10 minutes and a 10% to 80% recharge in 29 minutes at public high-speed charging stations.* EV driving offers returns through cheaper fuel costs. Expect weekly running costs in the tens, not hundreds of dollars; they will even be free if you're charging from solar. In addition, EV servicing is about 30% cheaper than servicing for ICE vehicles, BMW says. BMW provides easy access to options that can make an EV purchase more attainable. EVs valued up to the luxury car tax threshold are eligible for the fringe benefit tax exemption, and BMW offers EV models below the threshold. Novated leasing options can provide further tax savings, while the BMW Full Circle program allows you to know upfront what the value of your BMW will be at the end of your lease term, giving you flexible options – and peace of mind – when the term ends. Buying a BMW means you get advanced driving features included as standard. In the iX1 xDrive30 you'll find the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, featuring a display that curves all information towards the driver. You will also find a full-colour head-up display offering speed and navigation insights within your field of vision. The built-in navigation system receives automatic map updates and includes augmented reality navigation that make instructions crystal-clear. The iX1 xDrive30 includes Parking Assistant Plus, with surround view cameras to give a 360-degree view around the vehicle, and automatic reversing and parking features that can make tricky situations a breeze. Your vehicle also monitors for service issues, including tyre pressure, and will notify you if it needs help with proactive maintenance. Using the My BMW app, you can precondition the vehicle cabin to make sure everything is comfortable before you settle in for your journey. Once you set off, the iX1 xDrive30 offers a high-definition entertainment system, featuring Harman Kardon speakers – available with the enhancement pack – and your display includes fully integrated film and television streaming for passengers through the BMW Operating System 9. If you want to wait in your BMW while it's charging, there is plenty to entertain you. Charging solutions are expanding across Australia, making it easier to find power on the go. The iX1 xDrive30 charge settings can be personalised to suit local needs and take advantage of fast charging or optimised charging that prolongs the life of the battery. With the mode 2 and 3 charging cables, owners can charge across Australia. The BMW Wallbox is a home unit for managing an overnight charge, so your EV is ready to go in the morning. It will precondition the vehicle's climate control while on charge to further minimise power drain once you're on the road. The My BMW app offers remote insights into current vehicle charge and the time remaining to reach 100% when charging. The BMW iX1 xDrive30 has been designed to bring you pleasure from the moment you approach it. A dynamic light carpet appears to guide you to your door and the BMW Iconic Sounds, composed by Hans Zimmer, welcome you as you enter. These sounds also provide the soundtrack to your EV on the road, with customisable options to suit your personal driving style. A feature of the enhanced model, the panoramic glass sunroof in the iX1 xDrive30 offers automatic opening and closing, with an integrated wind deflector to minimise turbulence. On particularly hot days, an opaque roller blind can ensure your comfort. The iX1 xDrive30's seat controls include lumbar support and massage functions to promote fatigue-free driving. Buying an EV is a significant decision. Car manufacturers know drivers are doing more than selecting a new car; they're joining a community. BMW supports its EV drivers with a library of how-to video guides on its YouTube channel, and offers support to help drivers make the most of the luxury EV experience. The Electrification Genius team, made up of car experts, is available on the phone and email, Monday to Friday, to answer any questions about making the switch to an electric car. Discover the BMW range of electric cars. *Electrical consumption and range is based upon the Combined Driving Test Cycle in accordance with ADR 81/02 on purpose-built test vehicles and is provided for comparative purposes only. Actual range will vary in real-world conditions depending on many factors, including traffic conditions, driving habits, prevailing conditions and your vehicle's equipment, condition and use.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Luxury EVs surge 66% in India in 2025 as wealthy shift from ICE cars
India's luxury car market is being reshaped by electric vehicles (EVs) at a faster pace than any other segment, with the country's ultra-rich increasingly opting for clean fuel over internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. According to data from the Vahan dashboard, the share of EVs in the luxury car segment rose from 7 per cent during January–May 2024 to 11 per cent in the same period in 2025, marking a 66 per cent year-on-year growth. This trend extends to the pre-owned luxury car market as well. EVs accounted for 19 per cent of luxury vehicles sold in calendar year 2025 so far—up from less than 5 per cent a year earlier—according to Luxury Cart, a leading player in the used premium vehicle space. A key driver has been a wave of new EV launches by manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. Further boosting momentum is Jaguar Land Rover's upcoming facility at Ranipet, Tamil Nadu—its largest outside the UK—with an initial annual capacity of 30,000 units, set to begin operations by early 2026. Tesla is also preparing to enter the Indian market with its product line-up. OEMs bullish on EV demand Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz India, said the market has moved from asking 'Why EV?' to 'Which EV?'. 'I have been driving an EV for the last two years, and I don't miss the ICE vehicle,' Iyer said. 'The Jan–May numbers show a 66 per cent growth in luxury EVs, and Mercedes-Benz has grown by 73 per cent. The GST rate and road tax differentials offer a clear advantage for both mass and luxury EV segments.' He explained that luxury EVs are sometimes 4–5 per cent cheaper than ICE counterparts due to taxation benefits. 'Without this tax difference, customers may not switch to EVs on their own, as EV technology is still expensive,' he added. Better infrastructure, broader range fuel growth According to Himanshu Arya, Founder and CEO of Luxury Cart, range anxiety is easing. 'The launch of new models and improvements in charging infrastructure have boosted customer confidence,' he said. BMW's iX1, priced at Rs 49 lakh, is one such game-changer. Mercedes-Benz has launched the EQA, EQS, EQC and EQS SUV in India. Luxury EV sales rose from 1,223 units (Jan–May 2024) to 2,027 units (Jan–May 2025). Luxury car sales overall reached around 51,000 units in calendar year 2024, up from just over 48,000 in 2023. The industry expects this figure to touch 60,000 units in 2025, bolstered by upcoming launches. 'In 2025 YTD, the overall luxury vehicle market grew 5 per cent, while the electric luxury segment surged 66 per cent. Mercedes-Benz India alone saw 73 per cent EV growth, and BMW Group India sold 1,020 BMW and Mini EVs from January–May 2025—up 110 per cent year-on-year—capturing a 58 per cent share of the luxury EV market,' Arya said. Charging up the grid Audi India now offers access to over 6,500 charging points via its mobile application, and private charging firms like Statiq are expanding aggressively. 'In metros, EV charging points are now available within a one-kilometre radius, and on highways, there are now more EV points than fuel stations,' Arya added. One reason luxury EVs are growing faster is the wider product range in this segment. 'Luxury EV buyers have more model choices, unlike in the mass market where EV options remain limited,' said Iyer. 'Only 30 per cent of showrooms in India have an EV offering. The rest don't even offer customers that option.' Despite the EV momentum, Mercedes-Benz will continue offering all powertrains. 'Our global and India strategy is to let the customer choose. We offer gasoline, diesel, hybrids and EVs. As a responsible luxury OEM, we have to provide choice,' Iyer said.
The Advertiser
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Why the BMW X1 is a CarExpert Choice winner
It's important for luxury brands to get their most affordable vehicles right. After all, these can be gateway vehicles for customers who may eventually upgrade to even more expensive (and more lucrative) models from the brand. The BMW X1 represents not only an excellent entry point for the Bavarian brand, but an excellent compact premium SUV. That's why we gave it the title of Best Luxury Small SUV in our inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice awards. Our praise also extends to its electric iX1 sibling, which earned the separate title of Best EV – Small SUV. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "The latest BMW X1 is not only a huge improvement over its forgettable predecessor, but it has leaped ahead of the pack," said marketplace editor James Wong. "No other premium small SUV offers the same combination of performance, refinement and everyday practicality the X1 does for the money." The X1 lineup is currently offered with a choice of three powertrains: a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with front-wheel drive in the base sDrive18i, and a pair of four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines in the all-wheel drive xDrive20i and M35i xDrive. That means the X1 covers all the bases with everything from an economical entry-level variant all the way up to a hard-charging performance flagship. In our most recent review of the M35i xDrive, we called it a "really well-rounded small performance SUV". "The X1 M35i is a pretty potent wet-weather weapon, and a well-driven one would give many hot hatches a run for their money in any conditions," we concluded. But you don't need to step all the way up to the M35i to get a BMW X1 that's enjoyable to drive. "Bavaria's premium small SUV has gone from being one of the class laggards to a new leader, with a blend of tech, practicality, and driving finesse even from the entry-level grade," we concluded in our review of the entry-level sDrive18i. MORE: Explore the BMW X1 showroom Content originally sourced from: It's important for luxury brands to get their most affordable vehicles right. After all, these can be gateway vehicles for customers who may eventually upgrade to even more expensive (and more lucrative) models from the brand. The BMW X1 represents not only an excellent entry point for the Bavarian brand, but an excellent compact premium SUV. That's why we gave it the title of Best Luxury Small SUV in our inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice awards. Our praise also extends to its electric iX1 sibling, which earned the separate title of Best EV – Small SUV. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "The latest BMW X1 is not only a huge improvement over its forgettable predecessor, but it has leaped ahead of the pack," said marketplace editor James Wong. "No other premium small SUV offers the same combination of performance, refinement and everyday practicality the X1 does for the money." The X1 lineup is currently offered with a choice of three powertrains: a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with front-wheel drive in the base sDrive18i, and a pair of four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines in the all-wheel drive xDrive20i and M35i xDrive. That means the X1 covers all the bases with everything from an economical entry-level variant all the way up to a hard-charging performance flagship. In our most recent review of the M35i xDrive, we called it a "really well-rounded small performance SUV". "The X1 M35i is a pretty potent wet-weather weapon, and a well-driven one would give many hot hatches a run for their money in any conditions," we concluded. But you don't need to step all the way up to the M35i to get a BMW X1 that's enjoyable to drive. "Bavaria's premium small SUV has gone from being one of the class laggards to a new leader, with a blend of tech, practicality, and driving finesse even from the entry-level grade," we concluded in our review of the entry-level sDrive18i. MORE: Explore the BMW X1 showroom Content originally sourced from: It's important for luxury brands to get their most affordable vehicles right. After all, these can be gateway vehicles for customers who may eventually upgrade to even more expensive (and more lucrative) models from the brand. The BMW X1 represents not only an excellent entry point for the Bavarian brand, but an excellent compact premium SUV. That's why we gave it the title of Best Luxury Small SUV in our inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice awards. Our praise also extends to its electric iX1 sibling, which earned the separate title of Best EV – Small SUV. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "The latest BMW X1 is not only a huge improvement over its forgettable predecessor, but it has leaped ahead of the pack," said marketplace editor James Wong. "No other premium small SUV offers the same combination of performance, refinement and everyday practicality the X1 does for the money." The X1 lineup is currently offered with a choice of three powertrains: a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with front-wheel drive in the base sDrive18i, and a pair of four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines in the all-wheel drive xDrive20i and M35i xDrive. That means the X1 covers all the bases with everything from an economical entry-level variant all the way up to a hard-charging performance flagship. In our most recent review of the M35i xDrive, we called it a "really well-rounded small performance SUV". "The X1 M35i is a pretty potent wet-weather weapon, and a well-driven one would give many hot hatches a run for their money in any conditions," we concluded. But you don't need to step all the way up to the M35i to get a BMW X1 that's enjoyable to drive. "Bavaria's premium small SUV has gone from being one of the class laggards to a new leader, with a blend of tech, practicality, and driving finesse even from the entry-level grade," we concluded in our review of the entry-level sDrive18i. MORE: Explore the BMW X1 showroom Content originally sourced from: It's important for luxury brands to get their most affordable vehicles right. After all, these can be gateway vehicles for customers who may eventually upgrade to even more expensive (and more lucrative) models from the brand. The BMW X1 represents not only an excellent entry point for the Bavarian brand, but an excellent compact premium SUV. That's why we gave it the title of Best Luxury Small SUV in our inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice awards. Our praise also extends to its electric iX1 sibling, which earned the separate title of Best EV – Small SUV. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "The latest BMW X1 is not only a huge improvement over its forgettable predecessor, but it has leaped ahead of the pack," said marketplace editor James Wong. "No other premium small SUV offers the same combination of performance, refinement and everyday practicality the X1 does for the money." The X1 lineup is currently offered with a choice of three powertrains: a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with front-wheel drive in the base sDrive18i, and a pair of four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines in the all-wheel drive xDrive20i and M35i xDrive. That means the X1 covers all the bases with everything from an economical entry-level variant all the way up to a hard-charging performance flagship. In our most recent review of the M35i xDrive, we called it a "really well-rounded small performance SUV". "The X1 M35i is a pretty potent wet-weather weapon, and a well-driven one would give many hot hatches a run for their money in any conditions," we concluded. But you don't need to step all the way up to the M35i to get a BMW X1 that's enjoyable to drive. "Bavaria's premium small SUV has gone from being one of the class laggards to a new leader, with a blend of tech, practicality, and driving finesse even from the entry-level grade," we concluded in our review of the entry-level sDrive18i. MORE: Explore the BMW X1 showroom Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
CarExpert Choice winner: Best EV
The BMW iX1 has been named Australia's best small electric SUV in the inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice Awards. It beat out its Mini Countryman platform-mate, as well as the second finalist, the recently launched Kia EV3. The iX1, BMW's most affordable electric vehicle (EV), was praised by the CarExpert panel for its slick technology and enjoyable driving dynamics. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today The small SUV has a nimble feel despite its heavy battery pack underneath, while offering the instantaneous thrust expected of an EV. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The iX1 isn't as spacious as a more affordable Tesla Model Y, but as expected of a BMW it has an upscale look and feel inside and out. That also makes it a very accessible EV for buyers ditching their combustion-powered cars – this doesn't feel like a science experiment, it feels like a BMW. As the all-electric version of the third-generation X1, the iX1 arrived in Australia in 2023, and was followed by a more coupe-styled sibling called the iX2. The iX1 battles not only the likes of the Countryman, but also the Mercedes-Benz EQA and Volvo EX30 and EX40. 2025 CarExpert Choice Best EV – Small SUV
Perth Now
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
CarExpert Choice winner: Best EV
The BMW iX1 has been named Australia's best small electric SUV in the inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice Awards. It beat out its Mini Countryman platform-mate, as well as the second finalist, the recently launched Kia EV3. The iX1, BMW's most affordable electric vehicle (EV), was praised by the CarExpert panel for its slick technology and enjoyable driving dynamics. The small SUV has a nimble feel despite its heavy battery pack underneath, while offering the instantaneous thrust expected of an EV. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The iX1 isn't as spacious as a more affordable Tesla Model Y, but as expected of a BMW it has an upscale look and feel inside and out. That also makes it a very accessible EV for buyers ditching their combustion-powered cars – this doesn't feel like a science experiment, it feels like a BMW. As the all-electric version of the third-generation X1, the iX1 arrived in Australia in 2023, and was followed by a more coupe-styled sibling called the iX2. The iX1 battles not only the likes of the Countryman, but also the Mercedes-Benz EQA and Volvo EX30 and EX40. Winner – BMW iX1 Finalist – Mini Countryman Finalist – Kia EV3 MORE: Explore the BMW iX1 showroom
