When BMW contacted me and asked me to drive one of their lovely new battery electric cars to our lovely ancient Lake District, well, how could I refuse? They threw in a couple of days at the Brimstone Hotel on Ambleside, which is one of the nicest hostelries I’ve ever stayed in, here or abroad. There’s an informality, and the arrangements are so structured that the vulgar business of money is generally avoided. So, it’s like staying at a friend’s. A very wealthy friend with a large staff servicing a block of two-storey apartments with optional balcony and log-burning stoves. Very cosy, and I should add that this time of year is actually ideal to go to the Lakes – less crowded and not so sweaty getting up and down the fells. I speak for myself, obvs.
THE SPEC
BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport
Price: £63,709 (as tested; range starts at £46,825)
Drivetrain: Twin electric motors, powered by 64.7kWh battery pack
Power: 308 hp
Top speed: 112mph
0-60mph: 5.6swcs
Fuel economy: 3.6m/kWh
CO2 emissions: 0
