Seductive, more luxurious and technologically advanced, the all-new BMW X1 gives the GLA a taste of its own medicine. Expected in showrooms later this year, the X1 features sportier styling and fresh engines.
Design-wise, the new X1 mixes the dynamic lines of the 1-Series with the practical stance of its 2-Series Active Tourer sibling. Among the notable highlights we notice the prominent headlights and grille arrangement coupled with the plastic body cladding and higher ground clearance, typical treats for a crossover of X1’s stature.
The interior also mimics the 2-Series Active Tourer’s layout with the 6,5 inch/8,8 inch freestanding iDrive display, a sporty three-spoke steering wheel and a contrasting assortment of wood, aluminum and gloss black accents. The new X1 offers more space and more commanding seating position compared to its predecessor mainly due to the switch from the longitudinal engine layout of the first-generation X1 to a space-saving transverse layout.
Known under the internal code F48, the new X1 is based on the front-wheel-drive biased UKL platform which underpins both the 2-Series Active Tourer and the Mini. X1 is 4.439 mm long (minus 39 mm), 1.821 mm wide (plus 23 mm) while overall height has grown by 53 mm to 1.598 mm. Ground clearance measures 183 mm.
The seats are also higher positioned, 36 millimetres at the front and 64 millimetres at the rear. Knee room in the rear has increased by 37 mm in standard specification and by up to 66 mm with the optionally adjustable rear seat, despite an 8 mm reduction in wheelbase (2.670 mm). Depending on version, the X1 is up to 135kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks to the use of hot-formed high-strength steel and aluminium within the main body structure and an aluminium bonnet.
The 505-litre boot capacity is 85 litres larger than that of its predecessor. Folding down the standard-fitted 40:20:40 rear seat backrest, which can also be specified in angle-adjustable form as an option, allows load capacity to be expanded to as much as 1,550 litres. The optional folding front passenger seat backrest and a rear seat bench which can slide 13 centimetres fore and aft offer additional variability.
Initially, the all-new BMW X1 can be ordered with two petrol and three diesel engines, all featuring four-cylinders and sDrive front-whell-drive or xDrive all-wheel-drive, depending on version. Outputs range from 110 kW/150 hp to 170 kW/231 hp. BMW offers a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed Steptronic unit. At launch, clients can opt for the following models:
sDrive18d – 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel with 150 PS (110 kW) and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) of torque
xDrive20d – 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel with 190 PS (139 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque
xDrive25d – 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel with 231 PS (170 kW) and 450 Nm (331 lb-ft) of torque
xDrive20i/sDrive20i – 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol with 192 PS (141 kW) and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque
xDrive25i – 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol with 231 PS (170 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque
On the gasoline chapter, we find at the bottom of the ladder the sDrive20i. This 192 hp front-wheel drive version delivers 280 Nm and is able to sprint in 7.7 seconds to 100 km/h. Top speed is 225 km/h and its consumption, 5.9 to 6.0 l/100 km. The xDrive variant is quicker (7.3 seconds) to 100 km/h and consumes 6.3 to 6.4 l /100 km. The most powerful petrol version is the xDrive25i, which delivers 231 hp and 350 Nm. It hits 100 km/h in 6,5 seconds on the clock and a top speed of 235 km/h. Its consumption is 6.4-6.6 l/100 km.
The sDrive18d with manual transmission emits just 109 grams per kilometer, qualifying as the cleanest of the bunch. You get 150 hp and 330 Nm, good for a 0-100 sprint in 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 205 km/h. The average consumption is 4.1-4.3 l/100 km.
One step higher is the xDrive20d with 190 hp and 400 Nm. With a sprint time of 7.6 seconds to 100 km / h it is quite a firecracker, but its consumption figures do not disappoint either with a 4.9-5.1 l/100 km average. The xDrive25d with 231 hp and 450 Nm reaches the 100 km/h mark in 6.6 seconds and throws the towel at 235 km/h. The average consumption is 5.0-5,2 l/100 km.
Two entry-level sDrive variants, the BMW X1 sDrive20i and BMW X1 sDrive18d, coupled to the brand-new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engines lifted straight from the little Mini will also be available shortly after launch. Both sDrive models will have front-wheel drive. Meanwhile, BMW reports that xDrive all-wheel drive is lighter and now uses an electro-hydraulically controlled multi-plate clutch.
Standard equipment includes air conditioning, an audio system with USB and AUX-in sockets, and the iDrive operating system, whose 6.5-inch display is integrated into the instrument panel in freestanding monitor form. Meanwhile, the Advantage, Sport Line, xLine and M Sport packages available as an alternative to standard specification open the door for targeted individualisation.
BMW offers the option of adjustable dampers with the usual Sport and Comfort suspension settings along with Comfort and Eco Pro driving modes, as part of the Driver Experience Control Sport.
The BMW X1 can now also be specified with the Driving Assistant Plus line-up of the Active Cruise Control system with Stop & Go function, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Jam Assistant, Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function, while BMW ConnectedDrive now features a BMW Head-Up Display which, as in the larger BMW X models, projects driving-related information directly onto the windscreen.
