2026 BMW iX1 L launched in Malaysia – CBU China long-wheelbase eDrive20L M Sport, from RM255k est

Ever thought the BMW iX1 could do with more back seat space? Well, your prayers have been answered by the BMW iX1 eDrive20L M Sport, which has been launched in Malaysia for an estimated RM255,000 excluding the BSRI five-year warranty and service package. Estimated is probably because the new import and excise duty rates for CBU EVs have yet to be announced.

The long-wheelbase U12 iX1 is fully-imported (CBU) from China whereas the standard-wheelbase U11 iX1 is CBU from Germany. Meanwhile, the petrol X1 has been locally-assembled (CKD) since 2010. The standard-wheelbase iX1 eDrive20 M Sport that was launched in April 2024 costs RM249,800, or RM264,000 with BSRI, so if the final price for this new car is lower than estimated (which is likely), the price difference between the two wheelbases would be small. There was also the now-discontinued xDrive30 M Sport, which was on sale in Malaysia from May 2023 to December 2024 for RM275,800, or RM290,000 with BSRI.

Long-wheelbase BMWs apart from the 7 Series have traditionally been China-only, but with the 330Li having been in Malaysia since 2021 and now this, it seems that things are changing. Compared to the standard-wheelbase iX1, the car launched today has a 110 mm-longer wheelbase (the 330Li’s wheelbase is also longer by that much) at 2,802 mm and is 116 mm longer overall at 4,616 mm. This translates to 81 mm more legroom and 107 mm more kneeroom, BMW says.

With that out of the way, let’s see what’s changed on the outside. The iX1 L gains Shadowline trim (that’s gloss black) on the grille, rear diffuser, side skirts, side mirrors, roof rails and in its headlamps (called M Lights Shadowline here). Unchanged are those adaptive LED headlamps with auto high beam, and the 19-inch M twin-spoke 871M alloys.

Unchanged also are the front 204 PS/250 Nm motor, 66.5 kWh gross/64.7 kWh net battery, 11 kW AC (0–100% in six hours 45 minutes), 130 kW DC (10–80% in 32 minutes – 120 km of range can be added in just 10 minutes) and 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time. However, the top speed is now 5 km/h faster than the standard-wheelbase eDrive20 at 175 km/h.

Also, the range is now a claimed 433 km WLTP – worse than the standard-wheelbase eDrive20’s 475 km and even the discontinued two-motor xDrive30’s 438 km! BMW says there’s new comfort-tuned suspension, without making any mention of ‘adaptive’ – we take this to mean that the standard-wheelbase eDrive20’s adaptive M suspension is not here.

Inside, the seats get softer foam, 15 mm longer rear cushion bases and new Perforated Veganza in Castanea upholstery (on the standard-wheelbase eDrive20, Veganza or Alcantara/Veganza). You still get an M Leather steering wheel, pale-finished aluminium Hexacube dashboard trim, a head-up display and Curved Display (10.25-inch instrument panel + 10.7-inch touch-screen powered by BMW OS 9).

Also status quo are a powered tailgate (boot holds 490 litres; fold the back seats down for 1,600 litres), powered front sport seats with memory, dual-zone auto air-con, wireless charging and a 12-speaker, 205-watt Harman Kardon sound system. What’s new here is a panoramic glass roof with sunshade, which even the discontinued xDrive30 didn’t have.

The Driving Assistant Plus package is standard on this long-wheelbase iX1 (it’s a paid thing via the ConnectedDrive store on the standard-wheelbase eDrive20 but was standard on the xDrive30). This gives you ACC with stop and go, steering and lane control assistant, speed limit info and lane departure warning with lane return.

However, Parking Assistant Plus is still standard, giving you a 360 camera, remote 3D view, BMW Drive Recorder and Park Assist Professional with line and kerb detection. You can have your iX1 eDrive20L M Sport in Mineral White, Brooklyn Grey, Skyscraper Grey or Carbon Black.