Scorpio Electric, Singapore’s pioneering electric motorcycle company, was incepted back in 2017. Founded as a subsidiary of EuroSports Global Limited, Scorpio Electric aimed to make its mark in the electric mobility space by specialising in high-performance electric motorcycles.

In 2021, the company introduced its first model, the X1. As Scorpio Electric progressed, it faced turbulent challenges such as production delays during the pandemic. However, by 2023, the company had acquired BYD as an assembly partner for the X1, and was preparing to start production and global deliveries.

One significant milestone was the introduction of the X1 at prestigious platforms like the EICMA in Milan, where the model alongside other Infinity concepts was showcased.

Game-Changing EV Motorcycle 

The X1 features a sleek futuristic design with advanced EV technologies, with specs that appeal to both aesthetic sensibilities and performance enthusiasts.

Starting with its heart, the X1 sports a robust 72V powertrain that zips from 0 to 50 km/h in 3.8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 105 km/h.

Boasting a maximum power output of 10 kW, the bike is efficient too; a 5kWh proprietary battery pack ensures the X1 can cover up to 200 km on a single charge (at a steady pace of 40 km/h). Rider-selectable regenerative braking profiles optimise energy use, and when you’re running low, a Type-2 charger can boost it back to 90% in just three hours.

Additionally, Scorpio Electric is developing a next-generation battery solution using semi-solid cells. Highlighted by Dr Muhammad Taureza, COO & Head Of Engineering of Scorpio Electric, this innovation aims to “boost range by 40-50% without adding bulk or weight.”

Other notable features of the X1 include a carbon fibre belt drive for durability and whisper-quiet operation, and a 7-inch TFT display, providing all essential information at a glance.

Safety is paramount, and here the X1 excels with premium Pirelli tyres and JJuan brakes, complemented by a Bosch two-channel ABS system. Night rides are no longer a concern, thanks to adaptive cornering lights which illuminate the path ahead.

Dr Reza added that Scorpio Electric prioritises safety enhancements amidst the evolving regulatory landscape, “Our approach includes adhering to existing regulations and actively participating in the development of any new safety standards.”

Then there’s the AI optimisation – a futuristic touch that tailors energy use to your riding habits, ensuring optimal performance and extending the life of the battery.

Always connected, riders can use their smartphones as keys, monitor their bike’s status, track charging progress, and receive push notifications for updates and maintenance reminders. It’s like having a personal mechanic inside your dashboard.

Establishing Global Presence

Now, in 2024, Scorpio has set its sights on bigger global milestones. The company has recently appointed distributors in several countries, such as Japan, the Philippines, Portugal, and Spain; a move to broaden its global market presence.

Mr Joshua Goh, CEO of Scorpio Electric, mentioned that Scorpio is in the midst of obtaining European homologation and initiating mass production of the X1. “Scorpio Electric’s emphasis is on transitioning towards production and gearing up for commercial readiness throughout 2024. The company plans to unveil additional distributors in the near future.”

When asked about the significance of the partnership with BYD, Mr Goh added that “BYD’s contributions, including manufacturing and assembly supply chain of the X1, and the provision of battery technology for future models, have been instrumental in enhancing Scorpio Electric’s competitive edge, production efficiency, and innovation trajectory.”

Looking ahead, the company remains open to additional collaborations with BYD.

On The Roads Soon

Scorpio Electric is aiming for the first deliveries of the X1 to commence in Q4 2024.

With more models in the pipeline, the company continues to innovate and push the boundaries of electric motorcycle technology, aiming to inspire and lead in the creation of eco-friendly transportation solutions.

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SUVs. Love or hate them, they’re here to stay, and it seems the general public can’t get enough of them. A tall stature, good boot space, room for 5 to fit comfortably, and it’s off to the races.

BMW has a proven track record of great SUVs, or SAVs as they’re more locally coined. The German marque is no stranger to the crossover platform, and it has just released a new update to the X1.

Bigger dimensions, better infotainment, and crucially a Cat A COE-friendly propulsion system. The list seems ticked off well, but is the BMW X1 all that cracked up to be? 

Macho looks

BMW did a great job by giving this car a bright and showy paint job. Specifically, this shade of orange is Utah Orange Metallic, and it makes the car stand out from other bland and boring SUVs, whose monochrome colour schemes make you wonder if their factories ran out of coloured ink.

You will catch the attention of others, and not just with the nice colour. The new X1 has macho looks, and its boxy stature weaves in distinct, angular lines. Squared-off wheel arches show off the X1’s new 19-inch alloys, further accentuating the X1’s bold character. It’s also noticeably bigger than its predecessor, despite being the smallest instalment in the BMW X lineup.

Yes, the kidney grille is larger, but I’ll go off on a limb here and say that it actually looks decent on the X1. It’s somewhat proportional and doesn’t disrupt the rest of the car’s aesthetics.

Thoughtful design language

The X1 has a very similar design language to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer on the inside, one that is thoughtful and simple to use, even if you’re someone who is not well-versed in cars. Like its MPV cousin,  BMW’s latest iDrive 8 is included and runs on two large displays spanning 10.25 and 10.7 inches. Both displays are contoured in a nice stylish curve that sits behind the steering wheel, a design cue probably inspired by the BMW iX.

There are few systems I enjoy using more than BMW’s iDrive system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work an absolute treat, and the UI is responsive should you need to alter settings whilst driving.

Interestingly enough, a large smartphone wireless charger sits front and centre in the car. Don’t get me wrong, this charger is incredibly useful, as I can just chuck my phone in and it’ll instantly connect to iDrive. But, with such a large footprint, perhaps BMW could have installed two slots instead, providing the front passenger with some charging options too.

Big props to the small plastic clip that holds your phone in too. Small detail, but it prevents your phone from flying off should you wish to take the next set of corners at more enthusiastic speeds.

A roomy interior seals the deal for those looking for a comfortable compact SUV. Even taller rear occupants will be satisfied thanks to the X1’s tall roofline, and with 540 litres of boot space to erm… boot, the X1 can handle most items a typical family carries with ease.

Dependable as your daily

The biggest question you might be wondering is how did BMW allow the new X1 to fall under Category A of the COE scheme? Well, pop the hood, and to the surprise of no one, a cutesy 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine sits pretty within the engine bay, sending 121bhp and 230Nm of torque to the X1’s two front wheels. There is no thundering engine that grunts to eleven each time you mash the throttle, nor all-wheel drive capabilities in the X1. 

The engine can deliver its peak amount of torque from as low as 1,500 rpm, which is handy for ‘off-the-line’ applications. Even with its lacklustre performance figures, the X1 doesn’t feel like a slouch at low speeds. However, in situations where you need to mash your foot to the floor, the lack of more horses does become an apparent problem, as the engine starts to run out of breath and screams for help.

On the roads, the X1 offers a nice and comfortable ride for most scenarios. Despite its SUV proportions and soft suspension setup, it also remains fairly planted and stable when going around corners. However, I wouldn’t maintain dizzying speeds in this thing, as the steering in the X1 does feel sketchy at higher echelons of speed.

My advice is, be gentle with it, employ a more momentum-based driving style, and the X1 performs well as a city-runner. It even has decent fuel economy numbers to boot. During my test drive, I got almost 12.8km/L with mixed city driving, pretty respectable for an SUV.

Don’t overdo it, and you’ll enjoy it

The BMW X1 was never designed to be that overly athletic person at the gym, nor does it try to pose as one. Its ease-of-use and can-do spirit are what most people need in a city-oriented SUV, and the X1 delivers that experience to a tee.

Sure, you may long for more action in some areas, but you cannot deny that when you really need to count on it, the X1 is really a dependable companion for everyday errands.

Technical Specifications

BMW X1
Engine: 1,499cc inline three-cylinder, turbocharged
Gearbox: Seven speed automatic
Drive: Front wheels
Power: 122hp @ 3,900-6,500 rpm
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,500-3,600 rpm
0-100km/h: 10.5 seconds (claimed)
Fuel Economy: 6.8-litres/100km or 14.7km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$241,888 (xLine), $243,888 (M Sport), both with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: BMW Singapore

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With COE premiums soaring to record-breaking prices, each dollar you can save goes a long way in owning a car nowadays. As such, Category A cars have always been an attractive option, due to their relatively cheaper prices. This is the all-new BMW X1’s trump card. This is also the very first BMW X model that falls under Category.

Friendlier for the wallet, the all-new BMW X1 features new tech, refreshed design language, and a frugal engine.

The 3rd-generation compact SUV is now longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. Thankfully, unlike some current BMW models, the BMW X1’s front grille is much more proportional, with its design extracted from the current generation X3 and 2 Series Active Tourer.

Sharper taillights add a refreshing touch to the rear, but otherwise, the BMW X1 is still the same desirable compact package. Another familiar trait of its predecessor is its practicality, where a generous 540-litre boot is able to take in a sizeable amount of cargo. Fold the rear seats down (which can be folded 40:20:40), and cargo capacity swells to a cavernous 1600 litres.

Two trim levels of the new BMW X1 sDrive16i will be coming to Singapore – the xLine or M Sport trim.

Inside, the most immediate difference is the new digital curved display, housing a pair of 10.7-inch control and 10.25-inch information display screens. A large wireless smartphone charger sits front and centre, similar to what you’ll find in one particular American EV brand. Strangely, all of that real estate can only fit one smartphone at a time.

BMW’s iDrive 8 with voice controls is included as standard, adding Augmented View (AR) functionality to the BMW X1’s navigation features. Whenever available, over-the-air updates allow for new features to be rolled out over the course of ownership.

Safety is a key feature of the BMW X1, and it comes with a host of driver-assistive systems. These include:

• Cruise Control with brake function
• Front-Collision Warning system
• Reversing Assist Camera with Reversing Assistant

Also available as an option is the BMW Driving Assistant Plus package, which provides the following:

• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Crossing Traffic warning
• Rear Collision prevention
• Exit warning
• High-beam assistant
• Speed Limit Info

Buyers can opt for this via a subscription-based service or a one-time purchase through the Remote Software Upgrades function.

Powering the new BMW X1 is a peppy 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, providing a total output of 129bhp and 180Nm. This is currently the only variant available at launch.

“The BMW X1 has evolved in terms of design and technology and is more appealing than ever,” said Mr. Lars Nielsen, Managing Director, BMW Group Asia. “Customers appreciate its design, practicality, and driving performance, and have even more to look forward to now. Not only is the BMW X1 the first BMW X model to be offered with a Category A COE, customers are also offered 5-year BMW Service Inclusive Plus and BMW Extended Warranty as part of the standard offer. We are confident the all-new BMW X1 will make a strong statement and will be top of mind for SAV customers.”

Interested? The BMW X1 sDrive16i xLine will retail with a price tag of $243,888. You can also spring for the cooler M Sport trim at just a bit more pocket change, sitting at $245,888. Prices are accurate at the time of writing.

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