BMW's Next-Gen iX1 Launches in 2028 on Neue Klasse EV Platform

BMW is preparing a complete generational overhaul of its all-electric crossover SUV, the iX1, with market launch expected in 2028. The new model will be built on BMW’s Neue Klasse dedicated EV platform, moving away from the UKL2 platform it currently shares with the combustion-engine X1. Recent high-temperature testing spy shots reveal that prototypes already feature near-production exterior styling, including vertical kidney grilles, production-spec headlights, flush door handles, and a front bumper likely equipped with the M Sport package. Although more compact than the iX3, the next-generation iX1 is expected to have a longer wheelbase and shorter front and rear overhangs, potentially enhancing interior space and featuring a flat floor layout. Powertrain-wise, the new iX1 will come standard with rear-wheel drive, while higher trims will offer a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system; the front-wheel-drive variant will be discontinued. The vehicle will adopt cylindrical battery cells with approximately 20% higher energy density, paired with next-generation electric motors and improved aerodynamics, resulting in a significant boost in driving range. Inside, the cabin will feature the latest iDrive X infotainment system and the Panoramic Vision display system, which projects a continuous image along the base of the windshield—a feature likely to be standard across all trims. Codename NB5, the next-generation iX1 is slated for an official debut in the second half of 2027 and market arrival in 2028, launching after the concurrently updated combustion-engine X1 (U11). While the gasoline-powered X1 will retain the UKL2 platform, its exterior and interior design will align closely with the iX1.