Photo: theophiluschin.com
We’ve seen the new BMW F48 X1 out for tests for quite a while now and we also witnessed its front-wheel drive ‘madness’ in a couple of our spy videos but no actual info about a launch date hasn’t been leaked online so far.
The fact that it will be drastically changed from the model we’ve all grown used to by now is no longer a surprise. Rumors have it that it will be using the new UKL platform that will be shared with the MINI line-up and the brand new 2 Series Active Tourer but just how much different will it be?
Well, according to Autocar, in a lot of ways. Quoting an unnamed source inside the Munich headquarters, they claim that the new X1 will be both smaller and lighter than the one that’s currently on sale and will be fitted with transversely mounted 1.5- and 2.0-liter engines, managing to keep the interior space basically the same while reducing the exterior size of the overall car.
“The next X1 will be slightly smaller externally but offer similar interior space to the first-generation model. The decision to base it on a new platform structure shared with the 2-series Active Tourer will also make it lighter than the model it replaces,” the source claims.
Furthermore, the change in size will make way for a new Sport Activity Coupe, the BMW X2, that will slot in perfectly between the X3 and the X1. This new crossover coupe will be just a sportier version of the X1 sharing most of its architecture, exactly like the X5 and X6 combo and, more recently the X3 and X4.
The most interesting bit about the report, though, is that it seems like BMW doesn’t intend to sell any FWD X1 models in the near future. Apparently, all new models will be all-wheel-drive, forcing us to say goodbye to the sDrive alternative we’ve loved so much.
Another piece of BMW history that we’ll have to live without on the X1 is the 3-liter petrol engine that will not be making it into production any more, being replaced by a muscular, incredibly powerful 2-liter unit making close to 300 HP that would rival the Audi Q3 RS.
Even so, I wouldn’t rule out a hybrid version that would use both an electric motor and an internal combustion unit to make that kind of power, to prevent any kind of lag and keep the trademark BMW driving feel alive.
The same source claims that the X1 will be unveiled towards the end of 2015 with the X2 following in early 2017. There’s still a long way to go.
Well, according to Autocar, in a lot of ways. Quoting an unnamed source inside the Munich headquarters, they claim that the new X1 will be both smaller and lighter than the one that’s currently on sale and will be fitted with transversely mounted 1.5- and 2.0-liter engines, managing to keep the interior space basically the same while reducing the exterior size of the overall car.
“The next X1 will be slightly smaller externally but offer similar interior space to the first-generation model. The decision to base it on a new platform structure shared with the 2-series Active Tourer will also make it lighter than the model it replaces,” the source claims.
Furthermore, the change in size will make way for a new Sport Activity Coupe, the BMW X2, that will slot in perfectly between the X3 and the X1. This new crossover coupe will be just a sportier version of the X1 sharing most of its architecture, exactly like the X5 and X6 combo and, more recently the X3 and X4.
The most interesting bit about the report, though, is that it seems like BMW doesn’t intend to sell any FWD X1 models in the near future. Apparently, all new models will be all-wheel-drive, forcing us to say goodbye to the sDrive alternative we’ve loved so much.
Another piece of BMW history that we’ll have to live without on the X1 is the 3-liter petrol engine that will not be making it into production any more, being replaced by a muscular, incredibly powerful 2-liter unit making close to 300 HP that would rival the Audi Q3 RS.
Even so, I wouldn’t rule out a hybrid version that would use both an electric motor and an internal combustion unit to make that kind of power, to prevent any kind of lag and keep the trademark BMW driving feel alive.
The same source claims that the X1 will be unveiled towards the end of 2015 with the X2 following in early 2017. There’s still a long way to go.
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