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2022 BMW X1 Proudly Flaunts Giant Kidney Grille

A little over a year has passed since the second-generation BMW X1 has received its mid-cycle facelift, also known as an LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) in BMW-speak.
2022 BMW X1 29 photos
Photo: S.Baldauf/SB-Medien
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Meanwhile, BMW has been hard at work developing a replacement for the highly successful compact crossover/SUV and this is probably the first time that a pre-production prototype of the 2022 BMW X1 has been caught testing on public roads.

Obviously drenched in heavy camouflage at this point in development, the prototype does let some of its slightly controversial design features poke out from underneath, and the first thing that stands out is the oversized kidney grille.

Not quite as large as the ones found on its bigger brothers, the latest BMW X5 and X7, the new nose does occupy much more real estate on the front end compared to its predecessors.

Speaking of predecessor, the transverse engine layout of the F48 X1 will also find its way underneath the 2022 X1’s hood, with lower-powered versions coming with front-wheel-drive as standard.

The slightly longer front overhang, especially compared to the first, RWD-based, X1 doesn’t necessarily translate into a poorer attack angles, though, because the ground clearance has been much improved.

Essentially an updated UKL2 platform, which will continue to be shared between compact BMW and MINI models, the new architecture underneath the upcoming third generation X1 should more interior space and more fuel-efficient powertrains, including mild-hybrid and even a plug-in hybrid version.

There is no word yet if the not-that-successful X2 will get a replacement, but if it will, expect it to look even sportier than today, especially since the X1 itself has matured into a roomier, more SUV-like compact crossover.

Engine wise, the 2022 BMW X1 should feature the usual suspects, meaning an array of diesel and gasoline turbocharged engines with three and four cylinders. A fully electric iX1 is also rumored to be in the cards, using an updated version of the electric powertrain found on the MINI Cooper SE.
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About the author: Alex Oagana
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Alex handled his first real steering wheel at the age of five (on a field) and started practicing "Scandinavian Flicks" at 14 (on non-public gravel roads). Following his time at the University of Journalism, he landed his first real job at the local franchise of Top Gear magazine a few years before Mircea (Panait). Not long after, Alex entered the New Media realm with the autoevolution.com project.
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