A brand-new BMW for RMB 160,000—why did the price crash right after launch?

BMW iX1: Price Cuts at Launch — Then Another Cut the Next Day?

BMW price cuts aren’t new anymore, but the 2026 BMW iX1 just set a new benchmark for how fast a “new model” can drop.

At launch, BMW announced a starting price of RMB 228,000, already over RMB 70,000 cheaper than the previous version at release. Then came the twist: many dealers across platforms quickly posted quotes as low as RMB 165,000. A “new car” that gets effectively discounted again within a day is… dramatic.

Still, price alone isn’t the full story. Is it a cheaper car with worse specs?

Not really. This update is best described as a price-led refresh with minor upgrades.

Core EV hardware: largely unchanged

The 2026 iX1 comes in four trims, officially priced from RMB 228k to 268k. Dimensions and wheelbase remain the same, and the key EV components are essentially carried over:

• Battery: 66.45 kWh ternary lithium
• Fast charging: 10%–80% in about 32 minutes (claimed)
• eDrive25L (FWD, single motor): 150 kW, 0–100 km/h 8.6s, CLTC 510 km
• xDrive30L (AWD, dual motor): 230 kW, 0–100 km/h 5.7s, CLTC 450 km

So this isn’t a true generation change—it’s more like relaunching the same fundamentals at a much lower entry point.

What’s actually new

The upgrades focus on “freshness” and infotainment:

• New color options and styling packages (including more blacked-out details)
• 5G connectivity as standard
• Same curved dual-screen setup, but now with iDrive 9
• Some feature packaging changes (certain items adjusted between standard/optional)

In short: small usability upgrades, big pricing move.

Why BMW is pushing so hard

China’s EV market is brutally competitive. “Luxury” is increasingly defined by features, software, and value—not the badge. As premium pricing power weakens, BMW is using aggressive pricing to protect volume.

It also feels like a strategic transition: the iX1 may be positioned as a bridge model while BMW prepares bigger launches (such as a next-gen iX3 with a new platform narrative). That’s why this year, watching the pricing game may be just as important as watching the product.