NEW iX1 TO JOIN NEUE KLASSE REVOLUTION

SCOOP BMW's smallest EV set to be reborn with brand's latest design and technology

- Alastair Crooks Alastair.

BMW is in the midst of a huge product revolution brought on by its 'Neue Klasse' design and technology philosophy, and soon we'll see a comprehensively updated iX1 get in on the act. The brand's plan to launch 40 new models incorporating Neue Klasse tech will be realised by the end of 2027.

The current iX1 was introduced in 2022 as an all-electric alternative to BMW’s smallest SUV, the X1. Yet despite it only being three years old, we expect to see an all-new iX1 launch within two years, aligning with comments made by BMW’s head of Neue Klasse, Mike Reichelt, who previously said the brand aims to roll out Neue Klasse tech “to the entire BMW portfolio by the end of 2027 - regardless of the drive type”. That means the internal-combustion-engined ICE X1 is set to receive plenty of Neue Klasse technology and design when it goes on sale around the same time as the EV.

When the Neue Klasse iX1 does arrive, the model will have lots of competition in the all-electric small SUV market. There's the new Kia EV3, the upcoming electric Mercedes GLA and Audi's Q4 e-tron, which is set for a midlife refresh in the next few months.

Helping the next-generation iX1 stand out from its rivals will be its design, which will take inspiration from the recently revealed iX3. Based on the iX1 prototype we spied testing recently (see p10), our exclusive images show how the new car could look. We'll see upright kidney grilles blanked off for aerodynamic efficiency, and a distinctive headlight cluster that mimics classic BMW noses like those found on the 2002 and the E30-generation 3 Series.