Latest BMW Hybrid widens the range of choice
BMW certainly seems to be getting its teeth into this electric car business. Mind you they aren't alone. 2020 looks like it might be the year of the hybrid given how many brands are introducing the technology into an ever-growing number of models.
Not that you can fault the logic.
We don't yet have an established fast-charging network to fall back on so a plug-in hybrid is an excellent option. You can enjoy some of the benefits of an electric car with all the range and convenience of a petrol or diesel.
We already have the MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid, the BMW 225xe Active Tourer, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X3 xDrive30e and BMW X5 xDrive45e to choose from.
With the introduction of the new BMW X1 xDrive25e you can now take advantage of the latest-generation lithium-ion battery technology in the premium compact segment. There's also an X2 version due in the summer that will share the same hybrid technology. 
The plug-in hybrid system in the new BMW X1 xDrive 25e is a 1.5 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and a specially developed electric drive. The petrol engine produces 125bhp, sending the power to the front wheels via a 6-speed Steptronic transmission. The electric motor sends an additional 95bhp to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that gives the BMW all-wheel drive improving traction, stability, and cornering agility.
Together, the combustion engine and electric motor produce a total output of 220bhp that can accelerate the X1 xDrive25e from 0 to 62mph in 6.9 seconds and offer a top speed of 120 mph.
Being a hybrid, performance is probably the least of its concerns though. What really matters is the economy figures because that's where you're going to save money on running costs.
A highly efficient electric drive and that latest-generation lithium-ion battery provide an electrically powered range of up to 35 miles of emissions free driving. With average fuel consumption around 140mpg and CO2 emissions between 43 and 48 grams per kilometre the new BMW X1 hybrid sets a pretty high standard.
It also makes an intelligent choice for business users. If you lease a BMW X1 xDrive25e for business after April 06, 2020, the benefit in kind percentage figure for company car tax is 10% in 2020/21, rising to 11% and then 12% in the following two years. That makes it highly efficient on tax - in other words, more money to spend on yourself!
The high-voltage battery can be fully charged in around five hours from a regular household socket using the standard-equipment charging cable. Using a BMW i Wallbox, the relevant charging operation from 0 to 100 percent takes less than 3.2 hours.
BMW standard equipment for the BMW X1 xDrive25e includes 17-inch light alloy wheels, 2-zone automatic air conditioning as well Sports Seats and LED headlights in the UK market. The interior can even be preconditioned remotely via BMW Connected using a smartphone. The new X1 xDrive25e is also available for leasing in Sport Line, xLine and M Sport trim levels and all the options currently available on the conventionally powered BMW X1 are also available for the plug-in hybrid models. In other words, if you want to personalise your new BMW there's no shortage of choice. 
It's clever too. You can use the eDrive button on the centre console to switch between operating modes. In the standard AUTO setting the intelligent drive system ensures optimum balance between the two power units in all driving situations and can also use navigation data to manage the plug-in hybrid system to increase the efficiency. When you're using navigation the energy management can also take into account the route and save or utilise the battery power at the most efficient times.
The MAX mode can be activated for maximum use of the electric drive, which does limit the top speed to 84 mph but given it's the kind of thing you're likely to use in city driving that's not really an issue. In addition there is also the SAVE BATTERY mode which allows you to maintain the charging state of the high-voltage battery while driving or to increase it by means of recuperation. Using this mode saves the battery for later use, for example when arriving at your destination in purely electric mode.
There's also that one little touch that the X1 can boast over the competition: a BMW badge. You don't need us to tell you that BMW makes exceptionally good cars. That badge may have lost some of its exclusivity over the years but it has retained all of the quality and engineering brilliance.
If you're looking to lease a new car for 2020 there's an excellent chance you've already considered a BMW. If you're looking to reduce your running costs there's also an excellent chance you've already considered a hybrid. Give us a call and we can look at our intelligent funding options to get you both of those things in one handy, premium compact package.
View our latest blog posts
Categories
Pages
We are a family run business based in rural Worcestershire. Our team of 38 staff are on hand to provide an exceptional service to personal and business customers.
Read More