We finally have all the details pertaining to the upcoming BMW X1. After a whole lot of teasing by BMW we now even have clear pictures. As you can see from the name, the X1 is a small SUV which shares its heritage with the 1 Series. This should be the smallest BMW-badged SUV in the range, unless the company decides to create a 0 Series.
South Africa will receive its first shipment of the X1 some time in 2010 but there are plans afoot to launch it in Europe this summer. The X1 looks like a masala of a number of BMW cars. From the large, bold front grille with for example, we can see the new 7 Series. Of course the other X vehicles are evident in the ride height and other SUV characteristics.
Measuring 4.45 metres in length, 1.545 metres in height and with a 2.76 metre wheelbase the X1 is not too small. In fact its dimensions are almost the same as the X3, which means the next X3 will be almost as big as the previous X5.
For a “baby” car the X1 seems well-equipped, even if a lot of that equipment does not come standard. What we’re talking about here are things like a USB port, Park Distance Control, iDrive, a rear parking camera, Bluetooth connectivity and others.
Power comes from both petrol and turbo diesels. There’s the sDrive18d with its 105kW and 320Nm, followed by the sDrive20d making 130kW and 350Nm. The two diesels are designated sDrive because they are two-wheel-drive.
Fitted with the xDrive 4-wheel-drive system are the xDrive18d with the same power and the xDrive20d producing 130kW and 350Nm of torque. Higher than that is the xDrive23d of 150kW and a massive 400Nm. It’s the twin turbo 2.0-litre diesel getting things done under the bonnet. The only petrol model in this range is the xDrive28i which does 190kW.
