Bmw X1

Bmw X1

BMW HAS launched the new X1 compact softroader, with two diesel-engined AWD models spearheading the range until two petrol engines join the lineup in June.

The arrival of the X1 now expands BMW’s local SUV offerings to four distinct models: the X1, X3, X5 and X6. As the baby of the range, the X1 is expected to draw younger buyers to the BMW brand, urban types with “active” lifestyles and maybe a child or two.

Styling

Visually, the X1 could best be described as a caricature of its best-selling stablemate, the X5.

The headlights are more catlike and the overall proportions drastically shrunken, but the familial resemblance is strong between the two models.

However, whereas the X5’s glasshouse is large and airy, the X1’s beltine steadily rises towards the rear of the car, so much so that it almost eliminates the “Hoffmeister kink” that’s been a fixture on the C-pillars of nearly all modern BMWs.

It does lend the X1 a sportier look though, and adds some visual weight to the rear of the car. With the shallow rake of the tailgate glass it doesn’t look as cumbersome as a traditional SUV wagon either, but more like a jacked-up hatchback.

Black plastic trim runs from the lower edges of the front bumper, over the wheelarches, along the side sills and across the rear bumper. Satin-finish aluminium accents also adorn the rear bumper and side sills, and the front bumper is treated to prominent silver bars that run across the lower air dam.

A set of 17-inch alloys are standard on all X1 models, with four styles of 18-inch wheels available as options.

Interior

Cabin space is roughly comparable to a 3 Series, no small accident considering both the X1 and 3 Series share the same wheelbase.

Black or beige imitation leather is the standard upholstery on offer, while Nevada leather is available in five colours at additional cost.

There’s room for five occupants inside the X1’s cabin, with the rear bench offering a good amount of legroom and headroom. The 40/20/40 split backrest can be reclined from vertical to 31 degrees, further improving rear passenger comfort.

Wih all backrests folded, luggage room expands from 420 litres to 1350 litres – just 35 litres shy of the 3 Series Touring’s luggage capacity.

Mechanical

Two engines are available from launch, both of them 2.0 litre turbodiesel inline fours. The engine used by the xDrive 20d (the current base model until the arrival of the X1 sDrive 18i), produces 130kW and 350Nm of torque, while the xDrive 23d develops 150kW and 400Nm.

The two petrol engines – both of which arrive in showrooms from June 2010 – are a 2.0 litre inline four and a 3.0 litre inline six.

As the entry-level powertrain, the sDrive 18i’s four-pot is also the least powerful. The 2.0 litre engine puts out 110kW and 200Nm, which pales against the xDrive 25i’s 160kW and 277Nm.

All engines are available with six-speed transmissions, with the sDrive 18i and xDrive 20d having the choice of a manual or automatic gearbox. The 25i and 23d are mated to a six-speed automatic as standard.

The entire X1 range benefits from green-friendly technology such as on-demand ancillaries and regenerative braking, with manual-equipped variants also getting fuel-saving start-stop systems.

Combined fuel economy for the base sDrive 18i manual is claimed to be 8.2 l/100km, with the 2WD sDrive 20d manual the fuel economy leader at 5.3l/100km. The AWD 20d uses 0.5 l/100km more, while the petrol xDrive 25i consumes 9.3 l/100km and the xDrive 23d uses 6.3 l/100km.

The base sDrive 18i is only available with a 2WD drivetrain, but the 20d can be had in either 2WD or AWD. All other models are AWD-only, with a multi-plate electronically-actuated clutch controlling the front-rear torque split.

An optional Performance Control system is available at extra cost, which automatically brakes the inside rear wheel during cornering to enhance agility.

Technical Specifications

    * BMW X1 xDrive28i

          o Straight-six gasoline engine with composite magnesium/aluminium crankcase, VALVETRONIC and dual-VANOS
          o Capacity: 2,996 cc
          o Max output: 190 kW/258 hp at 6,600 rpm
          o Max torque: 310 Nm/228 lb-ft from 2,600-3,000 rpm
          o Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 6.8 s
          o Top speed: 205 km/h (127 mph) (230 km/h or 143 mph with optional high-speed set-up)
          o Average fuel consumption: 9.4 l / 100 km (equal to 30.0 mpg imp)
          o CO2 emissions: 219 g/km
          o Emission standard: EU5

    * BMW X1 xDrive23d

          o Four-cylinder diesel engine with all-aluminium crankcase, BMW TwinPower Turbo and common rail direct fuel injection
          o Capacity: 1,995 cc
          o Max output: 150 kW/204 hp at 4,400 rpm
          o Max torque: 400 Nm/295 lb-ft from 2,000-2,250 rpm
          o Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 7.3 s
          o Top speed: 205 km/h (127 mph) (223 km/h or 138 mph with optional high-speed set-up)
          o Average fuel consumption: 6.3 l / 100 km (equal to 44.8 mpg imp)
          o CO2 emissions: 167 g/km
          o Emission standard: EU5

    * BMW X1 xDrive20d

          o Four-cylinder diesel engine with all-aluminium crankcase, turbocharger with variable intake geometry and common-rail direct fuel injection
          o Capacity: 1,995 cc
          o Max output: 130 kW/177 hp at 4,000 rpm
          o Max torque: 350 Nm/258 lb-ft from 1,750-3,000 rpm
          o Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.4 s
          o Top speed: 205 km/h (127 mph) (213 km/h or 132 mph with optional high-speed set-up)
          o Average fuel consumption: 5.8 l / 100 km (equal to 51.4 mpg imp)
          o CO2 emissions: 153 g/km
          o Emission standard: EU5

    * BMW X1 sDrive20d

          o Four-cylinder diesel engine with all-aluminium crankcase, turbocharger with variable intake geometry and common-rail direct fuel injection
          o Capacity: 1,995 cc
          o Max output: 130 kW/177 hp at 4,000 rpm
          o Max torque: 350 Nm/258 lb-ft from 1,750-3,000 rpm
          o Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.1 s
          o Top speed: 205 km/h (127 mph) (218 km/h or 135 mph with optional high-speed set-up)
          o Average fuel consumption: 5.3 l / 100 km (equal to 53.3 mpg imp)
          o CO2 emissions: 139 g/km
          o Emission standard: EU5

    * BMW X1 xDrive18d

          o Four-cylinder diesel engine with all-aluminium crankcase, turbocharger with variable intake geometry and common-rail direct fuel injection
          o Capacity: 1,995 cc
          o Max output: 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm
          o Max torque: 320 Nm/236 lb-ft from 1,750-3,000 rpm
          o Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 10.1 s
          o Top speed: 195 km/h (121 mph)
          o Average fuel consumption: 5.7 l / 100 km (equal to 49.6 mpg imp)
          o CO2 emissions: 150 g/km
          o Emission standard: EU5

    * BMW X1 sDrive18d

          o Four-cylinder diesel engine with all-aluminium crankcase, turbocharger with variable intake geometry and common-rail direct fuel injection
          o Capacity: 1,995 cc
          o Max output: 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm
          o Max torque: 320 Nm/236 lb-ft from 1,750-3,000 rpm
          o Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 9.6 s
          o Top speed: 200 km/h (124 mph)
          o Average fuel consumption: 5.2 l / 100 km (equal to 54.3 mpg imp)
          o CO2 emissions: 136 g/km
          o Emission standard: EU5