The MINI Countryman is not the only electric vehicle from the BMW Group that will gain additional range this spring. The mechanically related iX1 and iX2 also get a silicon carbide inverter, allowing them to travel longer distances between charges. Bavaria’s entry-level electric crossovers will now cover up to 40 kilometers more in the WLTP cycle than before.
These upgrades apply to both the eDrive20 and xDrive30 versions of the iX1 and iX2. BMW says the front-wheel drive iX1 can now travel up to 461 kilometers on a single charge, while the all-wheel drive version is rated for a maximum of 430 kilometers. The coupe-shaped electric drive covers 295 miles (474 kilometers) in FWD form and 279 miles (449 kilometers) in xDrive.
The updates come as BMW is already testing the next-generation iX1 as part of the Neue-Klasse family. However, these changes to the current model suggest that the transition is not imminent. The same goes for the iX2, as logic dictates there won’t be a replacement any time soon.
BMW could choose to skip a lifecycle stimulus for both compact electric SUVs and instead move the iX1 and iX2 straight to the next generation. According to reports, the conventionally styled model will switch to the “NB5” at the end of 2027. It is not yet known whether the iX2 will be included in the Neue Klasse series. So far, only the iX1 could be seen in the test in spy photos, behind which there was a completely new design.
Meanwhile, buyers considering the MINI Countryman can also expect a range increase. The E model now travels an additional 24 miles (39 kilometers), bringing the total distance to 287 miles (462 kilometers). The SE ALL4 gains 22 miles (35 kilometers) and extends its range to 268 miles (432 kilometers).
It remains unclear whether the Countryman will receive the Neue Klasse treatment shortly after the iX1 “NB5”. Reports mention an “NE5,” but its launch date remains a complete mystery for now.
