Facelift and plug-in hybrid power for 2019 BMW X1

BMW has revealed a mid-life makeover for its most popular SUV globally, the BMW X1, just months after an upgraded version was announced for Australia last November and the ‘LCI’ model you see here was spied last October.

As we saw then, the exterior changes are minimal – extending to mildly reworked front and rear lighting treatments and bumpers – but the big news is the first plug-in hybrid version outside China, and it’s on the cards for Australia.

BMW Australia has advised the X1 model line-up will remain unchanged when the facelifted 2019 model arrives in the fourth quarter of this year, before which local pricing and specs will be announced.

That means it will again open with the front-wheel drive, 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol powered BMW X1 sDrive18i, which is currently priced at $45,900 plus on-road costs, and also include the X1 sDrive18d ($49,900), X1 sDrive20i ($50,900) and the range-topping X1 xDrive25i all-wheel drive ($60,900).

The latter continues to produce 170kW/350Nm and 0-100kmh acceleration in 6.5 seconds, while consuming 6.8L/100km and emitting 155g/km.

All models will continue to be available with xLine and M Sport design packages, while the base model will stick with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as standard, with a regular eight-speed auto for the remaining 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol and diesel versions.

The all-new BMW X1 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid will be available in Europe from March 2020 and, although BMW Australia has not confirmed local sales, the first plug-in X1 is likely to join the range of BMW PHEV models Down Under at some point.

The plug-in X1 matches a 92kW/220Nm petrol engine powering the front wheels with a 70kW/165Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels and a BMW-developed, fourth-generation 9.7kWh lithium-ion battery in a powertrain that BMW says consumes just 2.0L/100km, emits only 43g/km of CO2 and can travel up to 50km on e-power alone (based on the new WLTP test cycle but translated back into NEDC figures for comparability reasons).

Even before it adds the X1 PHEV in early 2020, BMW says it will offer 12 electrified models including the i3 and i8, the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4, 530e, 740e and the upcoming 330e sedan, X3 xDrive30e and X5 xDrive45e.

The latest BMW X1 builds on the last update released here in January, when two of the four variants received price cuts and extra safety and convenience features included Apple CarPlay, head-up display, Navigation System Plus, an 8.8-inch infotainment screen and an app-style interface controlled via touch, voice or the iDrive rotary dial.

The 2019 BMW X1 is differentiated by a larger kidney grille, LED headlights, tail-lights and fog lights, a new front bumper with bigger air intakes, revised rear bumper, a bigger-bore (90 v 70mm) exhaust outlet (two for four-pot models) and, as part of an optional lighting package, a driver’s side mirror that projects a two-tone ‘X’ image when the car in unlocked.

Joining the range are three new exterior paint colours (Jucaro Beige metallic, BMW Individual Storm Bay metallic and, for M Sport models, Misano Blue metallic) and four new optional wheel designs.

In addition to the standard 17-inch alloys, there are now 18-inch wheels in Style 578 with black rims and (for xLine models) Style 579, plus a new Style 580 19-inch item and, just for M Sport models, Style 816M 19-inch wheels, which are required for the optional M Sport brakes.

M Sport models include the latter, as well as 10mm-lower M Sport suspension, 18-inch alloys, BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line trim and the M Aerodynamics package comprising a chunkier front bumper and rear diffuser, and body-coloured side skirts, wheel-arch trim and cladding.

New features for the 2019 X1 include an updated range of BMW ConnectedDrive Services, contrast stitching for the instrument panel and three new upholstery variants (making 13 interior colour and material combinations), including cloth/Sensatec in Anthracite with grey accenting and, for the M Sport, black Micro Hexagon fabric/Sensatec with M piping.

While Europe’s entry-level X1 still comes with a 6.5-inch central screen, Australian models will score either a nav-equipped 8.8- or 10.25-inch Touch Control Display. Likewise the base driver info panel is a 2.7-inch TFT Info Display, while a 5.7-inch TFT Info Display is fitted if navigation is specified.

The second-generation BMW X1 was launched globally in late 2015 and found 286,827 new homes in 2018, making it the German car-maker’s top-selling SUV and the most popular vehicle in its segment, with 40 per cent sold in Europe.

BMW X1 sales are more modest in Australia, where last year 3096 sales saw it outsold by the Mercedes-Benz GLA (3906) but more popular than the Audi Q3 (2497), Audi Q2 (1865), Volvo XC40 (1588), BMW X2 (1163), MINI Countryman (1024) and Jaguar E-PACE (973).

Last year in Australia, the X1 was also in bigger demand than the evergreen X5 (2700 sales) and BMW's regular best-seller, the 3 Series (3079), but was not as popular as the larger X3 -- BMW Australia's top-seller with 4864 sold.