This Electric SUV Launched At Auto Expo 2025 Is Cheaper Than Petrol Powered Sibling

BMW launched the brand-new electric SUV, the iX1 LWB, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. India has become the first right-hand-drive market to receive the iX1. The BMW iX1 has been launched at an attractive price of ₹49 lakh. Typically, the electric version of a vehicle is slightly more expensive than its ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) counterpart. However, in this case, the iX1 LWB is actually cheaper than its petrol counterpart. How did BMW achieve this? Let’s find out.

The BMW iX1 LWB SUV has been priced at ₹49 lakh as an introductory offer, but the price is likely to increase after a certain period. The price for a regular BMW X1 starts at ₹49.90 lakh (ex-showroom) and goes up to ₹52.90 lakh (ex-showroom). Both the BMW X1 and iX1 LWB are assembled locally in India.

Both the BMW X1 and iX1 are loaded with premium features. BMW has managed to price the iX1 slightly below the X1 mainly due to government policies. The government imposes 43% GST on ICE vehicles, whereas electric vehicles enjoy a significant tax benefit, with only a 5% GST. This helps manufacturers reduce the cost of electric vehicles.

This is one of the reasons why BMW has been able to price the iX1 LWB version cheaper than the ICE version. The car was launched at Auto Expo 2025 and is essentially the electric extended-wheelbase version of the X1 SUV. The iX1 is 112 mm longer than the standard X1 SUV. It is also BMW’s first locally assembled electric vehicle.

The exterior design of the SUV is similar to the regular X1, with EV-specific cosmetic changes. The SUV features more aggressive front and rear bumpers, 18-inch wheels, adaptive headlamps, a large kidney grille with a mesh pattern, all-LED tail lamps, and more.

The interior of the iX1 is also similar to the regular X1. It includes a dual-screen setup on the dashboard, which is curved and driver-oriented. This setup consists of a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a larger 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The electric SUV also comes with premium features like a panoramic sunroof, 40:20:40 split rear seats, a 28.5-degree recline angle for rear seats, dual-zone climate control, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, leatherette upholstery, park assist, Level 2 ADAS, an electric parking brake, 8 airbags, ABS, a reverse parking camera, and more.

The BMW iX1 LWB is available in five metallic color options: Mineral White, Skyscraper Grey, M Carbon Black, M Portimao Blue, and Sparkling Copper Grey.

Regarding specifications, the regular BMW X1 is powered by a 1.5-liter twin-turbo petrol engine and a 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel engine. The petrol version generates 134 Bhp and 230 Nm of peak torque, while the diesel version produces 147 Bhp and 360 Nm of peak torque.

The recently launched BMW iX1 LWB electric SUV is powered by a 66.4 kWh battery pack, offering a claimed driving range of 531 km. The electric motor in the iX1 LWB generates 204 Ps and 250 Nm of peak torque. The electric SUV can do 0-100 kmph in a claimed 8.2 seconds. In summary, the EV is not only cheaper but also more powerful than its ICE counterpart.