Compact SUV and crossover sales are on the rise, so any such product you introduce nowadays is a sure bet. The luxury brands aren’t fools, and we’ll see more and more of these trucklets on our roads in the near future, such as the Audi Q3 and BMW’s X1.
In addition, this vehicle will mark the return of a 4-cylinder engine in BMW’s Canadian line-up. Oh and by the way, the U.S. market won’t get the X1 yet, so we get exclusivity for now.
In mid-January, BMW announced that the X1 will receive a turbocharged, 2.0-litre inline-4 that will develop 241 horsepower as well as 258 pound-feet of torque that peaks from 1,250 to 4,800 rpm; it’s just as powerful as the X3’s 3.0-litre six but has more torque and is much better on fuel. Ratings for the X1 are 9.2/6.4 L/100 km city/highway.
All-wheel drive is standard, and so is an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual mode; despite being the smallest and cheapest X model, it doesn’t get the crumbs. As for performance, BMW claims a 0-100 km/h time of 6.7 seconds.
Compared to the new X3, the X1’s wheelbase is 2 inches shorter, as with every other dimension of the vehicle. It’s also smaller than the first-generation X3 that was sold up until 2010, but the difference is negligible.
The 2012 BMW X1 truly looks like a scaled-down X3, although some details aren’t exactly identical and shouldn’t be either, like shape of the headlights and the grille, or the dash and steering wheel design. After all, the X1’s design was completed before the X3, and has been on sale in Europe for a year and a half now.
Obviously, the smaller size means less space inside, and three passengers across the back seat will feel cramped. Cargo space is rated at 420 litres, but grows to 1,350 litres with the 40/20/40-split rear seatback folded; that’s about the same as in the Audi Q3, smaller than in the Mitsubishi RVR, but bigger than in the MINI Cooper Countryman.
Standard features will include automatic headlights, power heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, roof rails, 17-inch alloy wheels, leatherette upholstery, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a telescopic steering column, power windows, keyless entry, heated front seats, a CD player with MP3 file playback, a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity.
Safety features will also include a bunch of airbags, traction and electronic stability control systems, a dynamic stability control system, hill descent control and, of course, the xDrive.
Options include leather upholstery, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a heated wheel, a Sport Package with 18-inch wheels and sport seats, power-adjustable front seats, a navigation system with voice recognition, an intelligent key system, a Harman/Kardon surround sound system, SIRIUS satellite radio and rear park sonar.
The 2012 BMW X1 will be arriving in showrooms as you read these lines, with a $38,500 MSRP excluding taxes, freight and delivery charges.
Source : Auto123
