BMW wheels out X1

It's rare for a European prestige model to reach the Australian market before the US, but that's what has happened in the case of the BMW X1.

The Americans are unlikely to see their first shipment of the smallest BMW SUV until sometime next year, but ours have already begun arriving and the X1 has been on sale in Europe for some months, where it's busy booting sales goals.

Introducing the new model to the local media, BMW's PR & Corporate Communications Manager, Tim James explained that the new car is likely to be a cracker in the local market also, if preliminary interest is any basis for speculation.

"Already we've had unrivalled interest in the car, in the pre-launch phase of the campaign, with over 3000 individual registrations being recorded," he said "and we've already attracted a lot of conquest customers through this process, including existing BMW clients."

BMW is launching the new model range here with two diesel variants, both with all-wheel drive and automatic transmission.

The X1 xDrive20d is priced at $54,900 with a single-turbo 2.0-litre diesel four-cylinder powerplant. Peak power is 130kW and torque reaches 350Nm from as low as 1750rpm, remaining constant through to 3000rpm. Combined-cycle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures are 5.3L/100km (5.9L/100km for auto) and 139g/km (155g/km auto), respectively.

The other variant going on sale with effect from April 10 is the X1 xDrive23d, which tops the range at $59,280. Developing 150kW of power and 400Nm of torque, the twin-turbo ('TwinPower') diesel is based on the same engine architecture as the 20d powerplant, but with a small turbo that spools up at lower engine speeds and a larger turbine to operate under higher loads. Available with six-speed automatic transmission only, the 23d uses 6.3L/100km of fuel and emits 167g/km of CO2 in combined-cycle testing. Both engines, and those to follow in June, are Euro 5-compliant.

As we mentioned in our story from January, the X1 will start here priced at $43,500 for the entry-level model, the X1 sDrive18i: a petrol 2.0-litre four-cylinder model driving through the rear wheels alone via a manual transmission. The range tops out with the X1 xDrive23d the press has driven already (with optional 18-inch alloys fitted) at $59,800. This pricing positions the X1 below the slightly larger X3 model. There are eight different variants in the X1 range, comprising a mix of different engine performance, diesel/petrol, manual/auto and rear/all-wheel drive. The six yet to be introduced will arrive here in June.

Perched on a 'backbone' shared with the 3 Series Touring ('E91'), the X1 is a small wagon capable of tackling unsealed roads, but ultimately more at home in the suburbs. Despite the E91 DNA, the X1 has slightly longer rear-seat legroom, according to James -- but the crossover really excels in the headroom it offers, both front and rear, and the ease of access to the cabin, thanks to a higher ride height than is the norm for small wagons and hatches.

BMW describes the X1's suspension as 'double-joint thrust bar axle' at the front (which we understand is a variation on double-wishbone) and 'five-arm axle' (which we'll call 'multi-link IRS'). Steering is a hydraulically-assisted rack-and-pinion set-up and brakes comprise ventilated discs, front and rear. Overall length of the X1 measures 4454mm, width is 1798mm (not including mirrors) and height reaches 1545mm. The car rides on a 2760mm wheelbase and the front drivetrain components of the X1 xDrive20d add 85kg of extra weight to the car, over the rear-drive only X1 sDrive20d. Kerb mass for the car ranges from 1430kg for the manual X1 sDrive18i (25kg heavier for the auto version) to 1600kg for the X1 xDrive25i.

The lower-performance X1 xDrive20d can be distinguished from the xDrive23d by the black grille bars in the 'kidneys', versus the xDrive23d's titanium-coloured bars -- something shared with the similarly-specified X1 xDrive25i.

Standard features for all X1 variants consist of: Run-flat tyres with indicator, 'Sensatec' upholstery, cruise control, reverse parking sensors with acoustic guidance, fog lights, front-seat height adjustment, multi-function leather-bound sports steering wheel, 12-Volt auxiliary power socket in front armrest, illuminated glovebox, remote central locking, start/stop button on dash, electric windows/mirrors, trip computer, auxiliary input for CD audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.

The X1 sDrive18i is unique within the range by featuring matt satin silver decorative trim. Standard wheels for this variant are star-spoke design 7.5Jx17 and the tyres fitted measure 225/50 R17. Positioned one grade above, the X1 sDrive20d features high-gloss black interior trim, electrochromatic interior mirror, rain-sensing wipers and auto-on/off headlights. Wheels and tyres for this model are as for the entry-level car.

As the basic all-wheel drive variant in the range, the X1 xDrive20d is equipped to the same level as the X1 sDrive20d. Both the lower-performance diesels feature auto-stop/start facility to save fuel -- the only two variants in the range so equipped. The petrol-engined X1 xDrive25i adds satin aluminium-finish roof rails (in lieu of black for lower-grade variants), chrome side-window trim, complementary satin aluminium trim for bumpers/side sills/air intake and shift paddles for the standard automatic transmission. Wheels and tyres measure the same dimensions as for the lower-grade models, but the design is a 'V-spoke' look.

Topping the range, the X1 xDrive23d is auto-only also and is equipped as per the X1 xDrive25i.

All variants come equipped with a high level of safety, including: dual front airbags, front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags, side curtain airbag protection for front and rear, belt-tensioners/load limiters for front seatbelts, ABS/cornering brake control, stability control, high-strength body shell and Dynamic Braking lights. All-wheel drive (xDrive) variants also come with Hill Descent Control.

In Australia, the X1 comes in well under the Luxury Car Tax threshold and, as the 1 Series has done for BMW, opens up new market segments and niches for the prestige importer (see Joshua Dowling's separate story).

Key to pics: Brown auto X1 xDrive23d, blue manual X1 xDrive20d (non-standard 18-inch alloys shown, both cars)

Watch Carsales TV's BMW X1 video review here

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