BMW iX1 eDrive20L M Sport in Malaysia, longer iX1 estimated price from RM255,000

KUALA LUMPUR: BMW is adding a long-wheelbase spin to its smallest electric SUV in Malaysia with the BMW iX1 eDrive20L M Sport, a version that stretches the compact SAV’s footprint mainly to give passengers more room to breathe.

The “L” here is not subtle. BMW says the wheelbase is up by 110 mm and overall length grows by 116 mm, taking the iX1 eDrive20L M Sport to 4,616 mm long with a 2,802 mm wheelbase. The idea is simple, keep the iX1’s city-friendly size and stance, but fix the one complaint many buyers have with compact SUVs, rear space.

The BMW iX1 eDrive20L M Sport has an estimated price tag from RM255,000, so it's not an official launch just yet, but we're sure the launch will come soon, once BMW Malaysia can confirm the price with the Malaysian government. Unlike the i5 which is locally assembled, this is a fully imported unit. 

Also Read: BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro Now CKD in Malaysia, First Locally Assembled BMW EV From RM368,800

Longer outside, roomier inside

BMW’s numbers for the cabin gains are specific. Rear passengers get an additional 81 mm of legroom and 107 mm of kneeroom, helped by that stretched wheelbase. The seats also get a comfort tweak, with softer foam and a 15 mm longer cushion base, which sounds small on paper but usually makes a difference on longer drives.

Up front, the dashboard layout follows BMW’s newer digital setup, with a BMW Head-Up Display and the BMW Curved Display running BMW Operating System 9. Sporty trim bits come with the territory for an M Sport model, including an M Leather steering wheel and Aluminium Hexacube Pale M interior trim.

One of the bigger “you’ll notice it immediately” items is the Panoramic Skyroof. BMW highlights that there’s no central bar cutting through the glass, and there’s an electric opaque fabric shade when you want the cabin to feel less exposed. On a hot Malaysian afternoon, the shade is going to matter as much as the view.

Comfort and convenience kit listed for the iX1 eDrive20L M Sport includes sport seats for the driver and front passenger, electric seats with memory, automatic air conditioning, a wireless charging tray, a Comfort Access system, and a 205-watt Harman Kardon hi-fi system with 12 speakers.

Design updates, Shadowline treatment, 19-inch wheels

Outside, BMW points to an enclosed grille design with Extended Shadowline trim, with lines and surfaces that push outward in an “X” theme. The Shadowline look carries through to elements like the diffuser and side sills, and the headlights are Adaptive LED units with high-beam assistant, paired with M Lights Shadowline.

Along the sides, you get flush door handles, squared-off wheel arches, and 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in Double-spoke style 871 M Bicolour. At the rear, the taillights are full-LED and three-dimensional, finished in a stylised L-shape.

Other exterior items mentioned include M roof rails in high-gloss Shadowline and an exterior mirror package.

For practicality, boot space is rated at 490 litres, and it expands to 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded. BMW also states the tailgate is automatically operated.

Powertrain and performance, 204 hp, front-wheel drive

Under the skin, the iX1 eDrive20L M Sport runs a single electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) on the front axle. Output is 150 kW (204 hp) and 250 Nm, sent through a 1-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels.

BMW quotes 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, with a top speed of 175 km/h. This isn’t positioned as a straight-line hero car, it reads more like a daily EV tuned for smoothness and ease, especially with BMW saying the model gets a new comfort-focused suspension setup, tuned specifically for the iX1 eDrive20L M Sport.

Battery, range and charging

The battery is a 66.5 kWh (gross) unit mounted flat in the floor, part of BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive packaging. Range is quoted at up to 433 km on the WLTP cycle, with the spec sheet listing 402 to 433 km depending on conditions.

Charging is rated at up to 11 kW AC, with a claimed 0 to 100% time of 6 hours and 45 minutes. On DC fast charging, it supports up to 130 kW, with BMW quoting 10 to 80% in 32 minutes.

There’s also a headline figure of up to 120 km of range added in 10 minutes, which is the sort of number you’ll only see in the right charging and temperature window, but it gives a sense of where the car sits.

Driver assists and safety kit, now standardised

BMW lists Driving Assistant Plus as standard for this model, including Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Speed Limit Info, and Lane Departure Warning with Lane Return.

Parking Assistant Plus is also standard, bundling Surround View, Remote 3D View, BMW Drive Recorder, and Park Assist Professional with line and curb detection. BMW also includes active pedestrian safety and acoustic protection for pedestrians as standard, which matters for a quiet EV in urban traffic.

Connectivity and colours

On the tech side, the iX1 eDrive20L M Sport runs BMW Operating System 9, along with BMW Live Cockpit Plus, Teleservices, and Intelligent Emergency Call.

Exterior colours listed for Malaysia are Mineral White, Brooklyn Grey, Skyscraper Grey and Carbon Black. Inside, upholstery is Perforated Veganza in Castanea.

If you want the compact BMW EV SUV format but you spend a lot of your time carrying adults in the back, the long-wheelbase approach makes sense. The rest of the package reads like BMW tightening the iX1’s positioning around comfort, space and a more complete standard equipment list for Malaysia.

Also Read: BMW Group Malaysia partners with STDC to train next-gen EV technicians in Malaysia