BMW X1 xDrive30e: South Africa’s most fuel-efficient crossover

The BMW X1 xDrive30e stands out as South Africa’s top choice. It boasts a fuel consumption rate as low as 1.6l/100km. With daily trips around town constituting a significant portion of driving, the X1’s PHEV system offers a unique advantage. It enables drivers to rely mostly on electricity, significantly reducing their average petrol consumption.

The X1 xDrive30e’s powertrain combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a front-mounted electric motor. This setup produces a combined system output of 240kW and 477Nm, ensuring a smooth and efficient drive.

The vehicle’s 16.3kWh battery provides an all-electric driving range of 89km at a top speed of 140km/h. For many, this range is more than sufficient for daily activities, effectively turning the X1 into an electric vehicle for practical purposes.

Strategic use of the electric capabilities allows the BMW and other PHEV models to achieve such low fuel consumption figures. However, for longer trips, the petrol engine takes over, resulting in a consumption figure closer to 6.5l/100km.

The X1’s maximum driving range, factoring in both the battery and the 47-litre fuel tank, reaches 920km before needing a refill. Additionally, the battery takes about two and a half hours to fully charge with a 7.4kW AC socket.

While the X1 xDrive30e does come at a premium price of R1,050,000 or $55,874 (R1,090,000 for the M Sport version), it offers a plethora of features. These include a 10.25-inch digital driver display, a 10.7-inch iDrive infotainment system with BMW Maps, voice commands, and Apple Carplay and Android Auto support. Other features include automatic LED headlights, bi-tone 20-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara seats, cruise control with front-collision warnings, dual-zone climate control, automatic wipers, a Sport leather steering wheel, and the Parking Assistant package with a reverse camera and parking sensors.

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