"Whether Driving an Internal Combustion Engine Car or an Electric Car, Driving Should Be Enjoyable"

BMW New X1 Product Manager Local Interview
Compact SUV's First Pure Electric Vehicle iX1 Recently Begins Production

Tobias Hega, BMW Compact Car Product Manager

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] "We made sure that whether it's the new X1 diesel, gasoline model, or the electric iX1, the driver feels the same experience. Regardless of the engine type, the joy of driving must be maintained."

Tobias Hega, BMW Compact Car Product Manager (photo), responded this way when Korean reporters asked him to compare the newly developed compact SUV X1 and iX1. The new X1 is the third-generation complete redesign model released after 7 years, and the iX1 is the first pure electric vehicle that did not exist before.

While customers can choose cars with different powertrains according to their needs or preferences, he seemed to emphasize that the driving 'taste' is the same as long as they enjoy the BMW brand. BMW has some electric-only models, but its electrification strategy basically does not draw a clear line between existing internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles. This is also why the exterior design of the vehicles does not differ significantly and why mixed production of internal combustion and electric vehicles is possible on the final assembly line.

BMW New X1, iX1

Unlike most BMW models that sell more overseas than in their home country Germany, the X1 sells the most in Germany. This means they have to focus on refining the vehicle's own product appeal. The currently sold second-generation model was said to be larger than the previous first generation, and this time it has grown a bit more. Although it may seem somewhat small domestically, it is reportedly widely used as a family car in its home market.

Manager Hega said, "It has generally grown influenced by the Chinese market, which is a somewhat special situation," adding, "But since bigger is not always better, this trend will not continue indefinitely."

The electric iX1 is equipped with a 64.7 kWh lithium-ion battery located under the vehicle floor. Charging from 10% to 80% takes only 29 minutes (estimated, same below), and a 10-minute charge allows for 120 km of driving. The driving range on a single charge is about 413 to 438 km.

This vehicle plays an important role in realizing BMW Group's sustainability strategy. The company aims to reduce carbon emissions by 40% from current levels by 2030. It's not just about making electric vehicles with zero carbon emissions during driving or improving fuel efficiency to travel long distances with less fuel. The carbon emissions from raw material procurement and the complex supply chain involved in the entire production process are also significant.

From development, raw material sourcing, production, usage, to post-use recycling?the so-called life cycle assessment (LCA) of the vehicle?reducing carbon emissions throughout the entire life cycle is the ultimate goal, which cannot be achieved by focusing on just one or two areas. According to the company, the global warming potential over the entire life cycle of the iX1 is about 30% lower compared to the entry-level internal combustion engine X1 model. If renewable energy is used for charging, it can be reduced by up to 60%.

The iX1 xDrive30, BMW's first pure electric compact SUV, features a boost mode. When activated, it provides an additional 30 kW of power for about 10 seconds.

Additionally, the company plans to increase the proportion of electricity generated by environmentally friendly methods such as hydropower when producing battery cells and various parts including the X1, while gradually raising the share of recycled raw materials. Currently, recycled and reused materials account for about 30% on average in the finished vehicles the company produces, and this is planned to increase to 50%. The secondary (reused) aluminum used in the casting of the new X1 reportedly approaches 70%. For vehicle hoods and steel plates, recycling is considered from the basic design stage to facilitate easy collection after vehicle disposal.

Although BMW has outstanding capabilities in internal combustion engines, its introduction of electric vehicles in its history is quite early. Not only did it launch the i3 in 2013 when the concept of pure electric vehicles was unfamiliar, but it also showcased an electric vehicle as a pace car for the marathon event at the 1972 Munich Olympics, about 40 years earlier. The iX1 began production at the Regensburg plant in Germany from July this year and is expected to be delivered to customers as early as the end of this year. It is highly likely to be introduced domestically alongside the new X1 when it launches in the first half of next year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.