The fifth member of BMW's new energy family, the BMW X1 xDrive 25Le is the company's first plug-in hybrid premium compact SAV. [Photo provided to China Daily]

BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd has expanded its new energy premium line-up into the compact sports utility vehicle segment with the BMW X1 xDrive 25Le, which is designed to electrify driving pleasure and is powered by the innovative i Technology.

The sports activity vehicle BMW X1 xDrive 25Le has inherited the premium brand's core heritage of Sheer Driving Pleasure that has remained unchanged in BMW AG's century-long history of innovation.

According to the company, this product demonstrates how well BMW brand values and e-mobility fit together. It's a stylish car with great driving dynamics and the latest technology makes it fun to drive.

Patrick Muller, head of sub-line electrification BMW Compact Class and Mini, BMW Group, said: "The electrified BMW SAV was developed for China with an ondemand all-wheel drive system, and its extended driving range reaches 630 kilometers and emits just 44 grams of carbon dioxide each kilometer."

The X1 xDrive 25Le, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), is driven by both petrol and electricity through a combustion engine in the front and an electric motor at the back. An intelligent energy management system helps maximize the powertrain's efficiency while pumping instant output response.

Developed simultaneously with the successful all-new BMW X1, the PHEV has enhanced responsiveness and is more fun to drive as a result of the electric motor.

A 10.7 kilowatt hours net capacity electric motor is installed at the rear axle, and drives the rear wheels with 70 kW output and 165 Nm torque.

A 1.5-liter three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine is placed on the front axle, with a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 100 kW of power and 220 Nm of torque to drive the front wheels.

Both the engine and motor are synchronized by BMW's unique eBoost function, so the total system torque adds up to 385 Nm and the car can accelerate from still to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds.

Besides BMW's three typical driving modes－Sport, Comfort and Eco Pro－provided by the one-touch select Driving Experience Control, PHEV drivers can select from another three modes－Auto eDrive, Max eDrive and Save Battery in the eDrive energy management system.

The car starts in default Auto eDrive that is capable of automatically deciding the utilization of petrol or electricity, or both, and can even recycle the power to recharge the battery.

The PHEV has a full electric range of 60 km and consumes only 1.8 liters of gasoline when driving 100 km in standard road conditions. The company is confident the PHEV will meet all existing government policies and thus be an ideal choice for customers to experience a new mode of mobility, which is not only sustainable but also enjoyable and fashionable.

The car's hybrid powertrain setting is derived from BMW i Technology that developed at the very beginning with the brand's top electric sports car, the BMW i8. The BMW i Technologies, especially eDrive, have been successfully transferred to the other models, including the BMW X1 xDrive 25Le.

The BMW i Series has achieved exemplary strong electric vehicle market shares all around the world, as the brand's energy lineups have been continuously exceeding expectations. About 100,000 BMW PHEV and battery electric vehicles were sold worldwide since the market launch of BMW i brand in November 2013.

The complimentary services for BMW i Series customers are also extended to owners of the BMW X1 xDrive 25Le. On top of the eight-year or 120,000 km worry-free warranty for the battery, owners receive the 360 Degree Electric, including free wall-box, two-year or card for 1,920 hours of free charging and access to ChargeNow's 1,500 charging poles nationwide.