Photo: SB Medien
Ever since we saw the new BMW X1 in the first official photos released by the Germans earlier this summer, we knew that we have a winner on our hands. The design of the car is so good that people will care less about the fact that it went from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive.
Indeed, the F48 X1 is built atop the UKL platform, the same used for the MINI Hardtop (F56), the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer to be honest. No matter how odd that might sound, it is true.
A clear indicator of this is the fact that the interior feels similar on both the X1 and the Active Tourer. Just take a look at the non-M Sport steering wheel and you get the picture. The center console and even the gearshift lever look the same.
On the outside, we were kind of surprised to see that the X1 follows its own path. Unlike its bigger brothers (from the X3 to the X6), the crossover has its headlights separated from the kidney grilles which, to be honest, look rather good.
In standard guise, you might be disappointed a bit but you can’t tell us that the M Sport xDrive20d model shown in the pictures here (in Estoril Blue) doesn’t look like a showstopper. Speaking of which, the entire engine line-up is made up of brand new units of the same, all too discussed B family.
The smallest choices will be 1.5-liter 3-cylinder mills aboard versions such as the sDrive18i that, you guessed it, is FWD. The 136 HP and 220 Nm (136 lb-ft) of torque might prove insufficient in the long run, though.
What we saw at Frankfurt, however, was the xDrive20d which will definitely be the most popular version in the range in Europe. With the new B47 2-liter 4-cylinder diesel under the bonnet making 190 HP and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque, the crossover will surely be both efficient and not a slouch on the road when it comes out.
Speaking of which, the X1 is already on sale, with prices starting at €32,900 in Germany and $34,800 in the US but deliveries haven’t begun just yet, plans having them kick off later this year, depending on the market.
A clear indicator of this is the fact that the interior feels similar on both the X1 and the Active Tourer. Just take a look at the non-M Sport steering wheel and you get the picture. The center console and even the gearshift lever look the same.
On the outside, we were kind of surprised to see that the X1 follows its own path. Unlike its bigger brothers (from the X3 to the X6), the crossover has its headlights separated from the kidney grilles which, to be honest, look rather good.
In standard guise, you might be disappointed a bit but you can’t tell us that the M Sport xDrive20d model shown in the pictures here (in Estoril Blue) doesn’t look like a showstopper. Speaking of which, the entire engine line-up is made up of brand new units of the same, all too discussed B family.
The smallest choices will be 1.5-liter 3-cylinder mills aboard versions such as the sDrive18i that, you guessed it, is FWD. The 136 HP and 220 Nm (136 lb-ft) of torque might prove insufficient in the long run, though.
What we saw at Frankfurt, however, was the xDrive20d which will definitely be the most popular version in the range in Europe. With the new B47 2-liter 4-cylinder diesel under the bonnet making 190 HP and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque, the crossover will surely be both efficient and not a slouch on the road when it comes out.
Speaking of which, the X1 is already on sale, with prices starting at €32,900 in Germany and $34,800 in the US but deliveries haven’t begun just yet, plans having them kick off later this year, depending on the market.
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