Selasa, 31 Mei 2022

2023 BMW X1 revealed with electric iX1 option, confirmed for Australia

The third-generation BMW X1 will arrive in Australia before Christmas, with more space, more tech and, eventually, the choice of petrol and all-electric power.

The 2023 BMW X1 small SUV has been revealed, ahead of its Australian launch in the fourth quarter of 2022 (October to December) – with the electric iX1 to follow next year.

Replacing the current ‘F48’ model on sale since 2015, the new ‘U11’ X1 small SUV introduces BMW’s latest design language, interior tech and powertrains to its small-car range – and previews the next X2 and 1 Series hatch, due closer to the middle of the decade.

It’s the first X1 to offer an electric option in global markets, badged (unsurprisingly) iX1. With production set to begin in November, Australian deliveries of the EV are due to commence in the first quarter of next year, a few months after the petrol range.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed for Australia, though expect to pay more than the current car, which is priced from $47,900 plus on-road costs for a base sDrive18i, to $56,900 for an sDrive20i (following the axing of the $66,990 xDrive25i last year).

The Australian range at launch will consist of sDrive18i and xDrive20i petrol variants – the former tuned uniquely for Australia, and the latter not offered at all in Europe – with the iX1 xDrive30 to follow later on. Diesel power will no longer be available.

On the styling front, the new BMW X1 draws cues from the brand’s latest models – including its twin under the skin, Europe’s 2 Series Active Tourer hatch – with chiselled shoulder lines, flush door handles, and an almost-rectangular pair of kidney grilles even larger than those of its predecessor.

Styling details vary depending on the model chosen; standard models receive chrome highlights and black body cladding, M Sport cars get sportier bumpers and body-coloured arches, and the electric iX1 gains blue accents, i badging and a unique rear bumper.

Alloy wheels between 18 and 20 inches in diameter will be available in Australia, as will be matrix LED headlights (similar to the updated 3 Series sedan), LED tail-lights, a selection of metallic and satin colours, and optional black accents on M Sport cars.

Inside, the new X1 benefits from BMW’s latest twin-screen dashboard for its compact cars, with a 10.25-inch instrument display and a 10.7-inch touchscreen integrated into a curved panel.

Running the latest iDrive 8 software, the centre screen incorporates augmented-reality satellite navigation, a ‘Hey BMW’ activated voice assistant, 5G connectivity, over-the-air updates, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The current X1’s traditional gear lever and centre tunnel designs have been dropped in favour of a space-efficient floating console, home to a switch-style ‘shift-by-wire’ gear selector – but no rotary iDrive controller, for only the second time in a BMW since iDrive was introduced in 2001.

Other interior highlights include a storage area below said floating console, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, four USB-C ports, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, a head-up display, and a choice of six-speaker unbranded or 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound systems.

Drivers can choose between five new ‘My Modes’, spanning Personal, Sport and Efficient modes as standard, with Expressive and Relax Modes available from the options list.

Standard and sport front seats available in Europe, trimmed in cloth, Sensatec synthetic leather, Alcantara (suede-like trim) or Vernasca genuine leather, and available with heating, electric adjustment, massaging and lumbar support.

In the rear, BMW claims “noticeably greater seat comfort than that offered by the [old model]”, with 40:20:40 or 60:40 adjustment available for the seat bench, and sliding (up to 13cm of movement) and reclining functionality.

The new BMW X1 measures 4500mm long, 1845mm wide and 1642mm tall, riding on a 2692mm wheelbase – 53mm longer overall, 24mm wide, 44mm taller and 22mm longer in wheelbase. Track widths are up 31mm for more confident handling.

Boot space is up to 540 litres in petrol models (up 35 litres), increasing to 1600 litres with the seats folded (up 50L). Electric and plug-in hybrid models offer slightly less, at 490L with the seats up, or 1495L with them down.

Under the bonnet, four models will be available in Europe at launch – two petrols and two diesels – with more combustion-engined options to follow in the months after, plus the electric iX1 and two e-badged plug-in hybrids.

In Australia, two petrol versions will be available at launch: the front-wheel-drive sDrive18i, and the all-wheel-drive xDrive20i.

The sDrive18i is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox – but whereas European models develop 100kW and 230Nm, Australian models will offer 115kW and 230Nm.

Australia’s xDrive20i model isn’t offered in Europe, using a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder with 150kW and 300Nm – sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Instead of the xDrive20i, Europe gets a more potent xDrive23i, with a 150kW/320Nm version of the 2.0-litre engine, seven-speed auto and all-wheel-drive layout, augmented by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system which can boost outputs to 160kW/360Nm for a 7.1-second 0-100km/h time.

Diesel buyers in Europe can select two versions of a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder and seven-speed dual-clutch auto: 110kW/360Nm front-wheel-drive sDrive18d, or a 145kW/400Nm all-wheel-drive xDrive23d with mild-hybrid tech (155kW with petrol and electric combined).

Headlining the electrified range will be the iX1, launching in a sole xDrive30 variant with dual electric motors developing 200kW and 494Nm in standard driving, with a further 30kW available in ‘boost’ power mode (for 230kW total).

It’s the quickest X1 money can buy – until the inevitable M35i performance model arrives this time next year – with a 5.7-second 0-100km/h time, and a 180km/h limited top speed.

A 64.7kWh battery laid flat in the floor delivers a claimed 413km to 438km of driving range (depending on options) according to European WLTP testing – on par or exceeding its Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus rivals in Australia. Regenerative braking is on offer.

DC fast charging at up to 130kW is available, good for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 29 minutes, or 120km of on-paper claimed range after 10 minutes of charging.

AC charging at 11kW or 22kW is available, for empty to full home charges in as little as six hours and 30 minutes with the former, or three hours and 45 minutes with the latter.

European buyers can also choose from two plug-in hybrids – the 180kW/477Nm xDrive25e and 240kW/477Nm xDrive30e – both with 1.5-litre three-cylinder engines, all-wheel drive, seven-speed dual-clutch autos, and 14.2kWh battery packs.

These variants – which have not been confirmed for Australia – are capable of up to 89km of electric driving range, and 0-100km/h sprint times as low as 5.7 seconds with a full battery. However, maximum charging power peaks at 7.4kW AC.

Under the skin, adaptive suspension with a 15mm-lower ride height is available, along with variable electric steering, overhauled suspension geometry, and trick “near-actuator wheel slip limitation” stability control said to intervene 10 times faster than traditional systems.

A full suite of advanced safety technology is available, led by a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-following assist to accelerate, brake and centre the car within its lane at up to 180km/h.

Other assistance features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist detection and intersection support, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, automatic parking, and a 360-degree camera.

The 2023 BMW X1 is due in Australian showrooms with petrol power in the fourth quarter of 2022 (October to December), ahead of the iX1’s arrival in the first quarter of 2023 (January to March).

Pricing and specifications will be announced closer to launch.

The post 2023 BMW X1 revealed with electric iX1 option, confirmed for Australia appeared first on Drive.

2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 previewed with four-cylinder hybrid power

This lightly-veiled concept revealed in Germany showcases AMG’s new 500kW four-cylinder plug-in hybrid-powered performance model.

The next-generation 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 4Matic – already confirmed to forgo traditional V8 power in favour of a new hi-tech four-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain – has been revealed in concept form, ahead of a planned unveiling for the final production model later this year.

Displayed at the Nürburgring 24 Hour race in Germany (photos here via Autocar), the new 2023 C63 4Matic is differentiated from other fifth-generation C-Class models by way of a comprehensive body kit, giving it a more muscular appearance than its standard siblings.

Although the concept wears a composite wrap featuring AMG’s new corporate colour scheme, various exterior styling elements are clearly evident, including a new front bumper with a low-set splitter, large air ducts and signature ‘Panamericana’ grille treatment.

Further back, the new C63 receives a uniquely-styled bonnet with a central air vent, and widened front fenders in combination with a lengthened front track and chunky sills underneath the doors.

The rear is distinguished by a revised bumper similar in style to that featured on the recently unveiled C43 4Matic as well as a subtle boot-mounted spoiler and AMG’s traditional trapezoidal-shaped tailpipes. The concept also receives 20-inch wheels with Michelin tyres.

More than the styling, though, it is the drivetrain of the new C63 4Matic that is already the subject of heated discussion among the performance car crowd.

The upcoming Audi RS4 and BMW M3 rival is powered by a longitudinally-mounted 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine featuring an electrically-driven turbocharger in combination with an electric motor, which together will provide the third-generation C63 4Matic sedan and wagon pairing with a significant boost in performance.

Exact power claims have not yet been made public, though AMG says its new four-cylinder E-Performance drivetrain is capable of delivering a combined 500kW – some 125kW more than the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 used by the outgoing C63 S range.

The heady reserves include 350kW from the internal combustion engine alone – 40kW more than AMG’s existing ‘M139’ four-cylinder engine, as used by the A45 S hot hatch, promising to make the new AMG-developed unit the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine in a production car.

The petrol engine is supplemented by a 150kW electric motor mounted on the new C63 4Matic’s rear axle.

It provides drive exclusively to the rear wheels via a two-speed gearbox, with electric energy provided by a 6.1kWh lithium-ion battery mounted within the floor of the boot. Charging can be achieved at up to 3.7kW on an AC system via a port located within the right-hand side of the rear bumper.

Details remain scarce ahead of the new performance sedan’s official unveiling, though its peak power of 500kW is claimed to be available in short 10-second bursts of full-throttle acceleration.

AMG’s new plug-in hybrid system is also rumoured to develop up to 750Nm of torque, 50Nm more than the outgoing turbo V8.

By comparison, the new C43 4Matic’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine develops 300kW and 500Nm (click here for full details).

An ability to run on the electric motor alone is set to provide the new C63 4Matic with a limited electric range of less than 20km at speeds up to 130km/h.

One of the key advantages of the adoption of the new electrified drivetrain is a reduction in weight over the front axle of the new C63 4Matic. At 160.5kg, AMG’s ‘M139’ four-cylinder engine weighs 48.5kg less than the ‘M177’ V8 engine used by today’s C63.

The mounting of the electric motor and battery at the rear, a layout mirroring that of the recently introduced GT63 4Matic E Performance four-door, adds extra weight overall but it is claimed to provide an improved front-to-rear weight distribution.

As well as featuring in the new C63 4Matic, the new four-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain is also planned to appear in the top-rung AMG version of the new second-generation GLC.

It’s also set to feature an upcoming coupe and convertible model pairing that will go under the name CLE, as a replacement for today’s C- and E-Class coupe and convertible models – with the new models to be codenamed C236 and A236.

Our thanks to Autocar for permission to use these images.

The post 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 previewed with four-cylinder hybrid power appeared first on Drive.