The BMW X1 - really cool little car, this thing. It was the selling premium SUV in Europe because it's fun, but also the best-selling BMW in the US because it's cheaper than a 3 Series.
The architecture it borrowed from the old 3 Series made it the most fun Crossover Utility Vehicles on the market. But what it made up in the fun department, it lost in the practicality segment. With models like the Nissan Qashqai or Honda CR-V now offering customers more room than ever, BMW has switched from a RWD-based architecture to a FWD one.
The second generation X1, due out in 2014, will actually be based on the same platform as the third-gen MINI, revealed this Monday. In our latest spy film, you can really tell that from the way the front end rises under acceleration.
This video compiles test footage of the car and shows the German engineers testing the turning circle of the X1. Interestingly, the test driver is a woman, which is good, since a lot of the X1 purchases will be family-oriented.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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