BMW X Models 2022 News

Lexus is expected to launch an all-new entry-level hybrid crossover in Australia within the next 18 months, slotting in underneath the established UX as the brand’s most affordable offering.

In a post-dieselgate world, for the general car-buying population as well as car brand marketing teams, diesel is a little bit of a dirty word.

As Alfa Romeo follows the lead of European car manufacturers like Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar Land Rover by offering a fully electric range from 2027, the Italian carmaker is waiting to see the reaction to its new Tonale SUV before committing to a fully electric version.

Now that Australian pricing and specifications for the new Mazda CX-60 SUV have been confirmed it’s worth taking a look at the premium medium SUV market to work out if it’s the best option across its price range.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has announced scoring for four models, with most receiving top marks at five stars.The new Nissan Pathfinder, BMW X1 small SUV, LDV Mifa 9 people mover, and the Fiat 500e electric hatchback were all rate

BMW Australia has released the pricing of its cheapest-yet electric SUV, as well as what might be the brand’s best-looking SUV since the original X5 of 1999.Kicking off from $82,900 before on-road costs, the iX1 lands in Australia early next year in just one grade, the all-wheel-drive xDrive30.This is provocative pricing, as it undercuts the new Mercedes EQB 250 front-wheel drive (from $87,800) and Genesis GV60 (from $103,700).However, the Tesla Model Y (from $72,300), Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric (from $72,990) and Lexus UX 300e (from $74,000) remain substantially cheaper in their base (though two-wheel drive) iterations compared to the German-made BMW.With just an ‘I’ to differentiate it by name, the iX1 will be an adjunct to the third-generation, U11-series X1 to be launched next month in FWD sDrive18i and AWD xDrive20i turbo petrol-engined grades.As reported previously, only the single, highly equipped and specified xDrive30 grade will be released initially, with dual motors allowing for the AWD. Both are electrically excited synchronous motor set-ups.Combined, these deliver 230kW of power and 494Nm of torque, to propel the iX1 to 100km/h from standstill in 5.6 seconds, on the way to a 180km/h top speed. In contrast, the EQB 350 4Matic equivalent that starts from $106,700 needs another 0.6s to reach 100km/h and has a 20km/h lower maximum velocity.Similarly, even with a slightly smaller 65kWh battery pack, the xDrive30’s 440km range (WLTP) also beats the EQB (at 360km WLTP). Charging is via a Type 2 CCS port, capable of 130kW on DC and 22kW on AC.Using the WLTP standard, the combined fuel consumption is 18.4kWh/100km, compared to the EQB 350 4Matic’s 21.0kWh/100km. If you can find a 130kW DC charger, the battery pack can be replenished from 10 per cent to 80 per cent full in 29 minutes. Along with a so-called “Flexible Fast Charger” for charging at home as well as a Mode 3 charging cable, BMW Australia will also offer a three-year subscription to the Chargefox national network.BMW says the iX1 is its first compact model on a new flexible FWD-based architecture to feature a battery electric powertrain, and was specially designed to accommodate a large battery low down to improve the centre of gravity, benefit dynamics through improved weight distribution, as well as minimise interior-space impact.As a result, cargo capacity is rated at 490 litres, which is just 10L shy of the ‘regular’ X1.Additionally, BMW’s adaptive M Suspension and M Sport variable-ratio steering set-up will be fitted to the iX1, to provide what the brand reckons is a balance between handling agility and ride comfort.Equipment levels will also include active lane keep systems, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, surround-view cameras, adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic glass sunroof, premium Harmon Kardon sound system, a powered tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, a head-up display, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.7-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry/go, wireless smartphone charger, tyre pressure monitors, satellite navigation, BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant featuring voice control and 19-inch alloy wheels.The iX1 also adopts BMW’s latest Operating System 8 software interface.Buyers can choose between the xLine or M Sport trim packages at no extra cost.More information will be revealed closer to the iX1’s first-quarter release date.

While Mazda remains one of the most popular car brands in Australia, maintaining a 9.1 per cent market share in the country bested only by the ever-dominant Toyota's 21.7 per cent, there are sections of the market that Mazda hopes it can muscle in on.The

How much is too much?

BMW Australia will let loose its facelifted X7 on local soil in the fourth quarter of 2022, but buyers will have to pay extra for the 2023 model compared with the outgoing ultra-lux large SUV.And that's because the existing xDrive30d and M50i grades have

BMW Australia will expand its Sport series to also encompass the X1 and X2 crossovers, after already launching versions for the 1, 2 and 3 Series earlier this year.The X1 version will arrive later this month and is limited to 100 units, while the X2 versi