BMW reveals X1 pricing, line-up

BMW's X1 will arrive here in April, starting from $43,500. That pricing was possible through the late inclusion of a budget-priced model featuring rear-wheel drive and a small-capacity four-cylinder petrol engine, the importer advises. As a consequence, Australian-delivered X1s will reach us in an extended eight-model range comprising both rear- and four-wheel drive variants. 

Decided for Australia at the eleventh hour, the 110kW/200Nm four-cylinder petrol engine powers the base-grade X1 sDrive18i -- driving through either a manual transmission or an optional automatic. Prices are $43,500 for the manual and $45,700 for the auto.

Also a rear-driver, the X1 sDrive20d is, as the name indicates, powered by a 2.0-litre diesel. It's the next level up and is priced from $49,300 (manual) or $51,500 (auto). The same engine drives the first of the 'four-bys', the X1 xDrive20d. Since that variant is offered with the two transmission options too, prices are $52,700 (manual) and $54,900 (auto).

The two remaining variants in the range are the X1 xDrive25i auto ($56,800) with a 160kW/280Nm petrol six, and the diesel X1 xDrive23d auto ($59,280).

The 'Sports Activity Vehicle', to use the prestige importer's term for the X1, is built at the BMW plant at Leipzig, in Germany, and has already rated a five-star NCAP score in crash-safety testing, ahead of its arrival in the local market. Dealers will commence delivering the new cars to buyers from April 10.

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