BMW X1 breaks cover

After widespread leaks stemming from a BMW forum saw the all-new BMW X1 exposed yesterday, the German automaker has released an official statement on the new model today.

The newly designed compact 4WD will be on sale in Australia in the first quarter of 2010, though specifications, pricing and engine options are still to be nailed down.

European markets will take delivery of six models spanning three differently tuned 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines outputting between 105 and 150kW of power, while the sole petrol engine is the 3.0-litre 190kW naturally aspirated straight six.

Measuring 4.45 metres long the BMW X1 is shorter than the Subaru Forester (4.56m) and about the same size as the Volkswagen Tiguan.

BMW is touting the new model as "youthful, versatile and efficient" and could be priced in the low to mid $40K region, which would attract a lot of compact 4WD buyers looking to move up from Asian or American brands.

All-wheel drive and rear-wheel models termed as xDrive and sDrive respectively, will be offered in Europe. The full line-up includes:

- BMW X1 xDrive28i (190kW/310Nm)
- BMW X1 xDrive23d (150kW/400Nm)
- BMW X1 xDrive20d (130kW/350Nm)
- BMW X1 sDrive20d (130kW/350Nm)
- BMW X1 xDrive18d (105kW//320Nm)
- BMW X1 sDrive18d (105kW//320Nm)

BMW Australia's PR & Corporate Communications Manager, Toni Andreevski, told the Carsales Network that all-wheel drive models would be offered in Australia initially, and the company expects to offer the 130kW X1 xDrive20d at first.

The 3.0-litre petrol-powered xDrive28i is being looked at for late in 2010 and Andreevski noted that rear-wheel drive models would be "considered".

The four-cylinder BMW X1 xDrive20d's 130kW engine is very efficient, using a claimed 5.8 litres of diesel per 100km and emits just 153g/km. It has a top speed of 205km/h and can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds which is fairly rapid for an SUV.

Design wise, BMW seems to have hit the nail on the head with the X1, which is a much more rounded design than the X3. The production version of the X1 is almost identical to the X1 Concept Study that broke cover in 2008. Slotting in underneath the X3 and X5 SUV models, the X1 retains the family genetics, with the trademark kidney grille matched with a new take on the X Series headlight design.

BMW's oft-noted "Hofmeister kick" is also present at the base of the C-pillar while at the rear the tail lights are a modern interpretation of BMW's intricate brake light design and add a level of interest to the rear end that will have Audi Q5 owners craning their necks.

Some X1 models will benefit from BMW's EfficientDynamics (more here), including fuel saving features like brake energy regeneration, auto start-stop and gearshift point indicators.

As is the norm in compact 4WDs, the BMW X1 will include a range of "open storage boxes, trays and cupholders" to accommodate odds and ends of all sizes. The boot has 420 litres of space that can expand to 1350 litres when folding the 40/20/40 split rear seats.

Built at BMW's Leipzig plant in Germany, expect the new model to arrive in Australia early in 2010.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi.