BMW Unveils 2011 X1 xDrive28i [Image Gallery]

BMW has unveiled its long-awaited four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which makes its debut on the X1 xDrive28i. The announcement was made by the Bavarians themselves, who also released a large photo gallery of their crossover. So let’s get back to the engine, which basically replaces a classic, naturally aspirated 3.0-liter straight-six. The new engine is also the first four-cylinder unit to use BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology and features an all-aluminum crankcase, twin-scroll turbocharging system, direct injection, plus the latest version of the company's patented VALVETRONIC variable valve control system. Out of its 1,997 cc displacement, the German engineers managed to squeeze out 245 hp (180 kW), 73 hp (55 kW) more than the previous top-powered BMW 2.0-liter petrol engine. Peek torque is rated at 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) and is available from 1,250 rpm. The 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine in the outgoing X1 xDrive28i offered 258 hp at 6,600 rpm and 310Nm (228 lb-ft) of torque from 2,600 rpm. BMW equips the standard X1 xDrive28i with a six-speed manual gearbox, but an eight-speed automatic is also available as an optional extra. Using the manual, the crossover completes the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 6.1 seconds (6.5 seconds with automatic transmission). According to the Bavarian automaker, the sprint time has improved by 0.7 seconds (0.3 seconds), compared to the previous generation with the 3.0-liter straight-six. Of course, the whole point of introducing a turbocharged four-cylinder unit wasn’t just to improve performance, but also economy. With the new four-pot, the X1 xDrive28i has an average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 7.9 liters /100 km (29.8 mpg US), a 16 percent improvement on the previous model. It's also cleaner, as CO2 emissions are down by 38g to 183 g/km. The new X1 xDrive28i will get its world premiere at the Geneva Salon in March and should go on sale across Europe this spring. autoevolution will be attending the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.