BMW debuts the new X1, petrol and diesel lumps now improved



The BMW X1 has been around for the last six years and and as such, this compact crossover SAV has garnered sales of up 730,000 units worldwide. The new X1 has indeed grown up from its humble looks.

Offered in either an all-wheel-drive or 2 wheel-drive – front-wheel-drive this time which provides better power delivery and a better fuel economy. The X1 comes with a variety of petrol and diesel powered options that are up to 17 percent more efficient than the previous reiteration.

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Name X1 sDrive20i X1 xDrive20i X1 xDrive25i X1 sDrive18d X1 xDrive20d X1 xDrive25d
Engine 1,998cc; inline-4 with BMW TwinPower Turbo 1,995cc; inline-4 with Variable Geometry Turbo
Transmission 8-speed Steptronic auto 6-spd manual or 8-spd auto 8-speed Steptronic auto
Max Power 192 hp 192 hp 231 hp 150 hp 190 hp 231 hp
Max Torque 280 Nm 280 Nm 350 Nm 330 Nm 400 Nm 450 Nm
Top Speed 225 km/h 225 km/h 235 km/h 205 km/h 219 km/h 235 km/h

EXTERIOR

Notably, one of the biggest changes of the car is the exterior. It is much more imposing now, with the front end looking a bit like the X5 in terms of styling. Even the signature pair of kidney grilles are much bigger as compared to the previous model. Couple that to the high mounted fog lamps make it more alike to its bigger siblings, namely the X6.

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Down along the side, it is evident that there is a much substantial line running down the side of the car. It is immediately apparent that this car has indeed grown a fair bit, 53 millimeters  from the previous to 4,439 millimetres long to be precise.

Dimensions wise, the BMW X1 stands at 1,598 millimetres tall and 1,821 millimetres wide sitting on 18-inch lightweight alloy wheels. Standard though are door sill plates and LED lighting for the door handles.

INTERIOR

The interior has been redesigned to be more driver focused and oriented. Looking at it does remind the more avid BMW enthusiast to the cockpit found in the E36 BMW 3-Series. Rear mounted steering wheel paddle-shifters and the instrument cluster has been designed to reflect just such. The iDrive system is displayed via either a 6.5-inch or a 8.8-inch display.

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The seating position has been raised and provides a roomier legroom for the occupants inside. The rear knee room has been increased to 66mm, which is an increase of 37mm from the previous model. The luggage compartment receives an 85 litre increase to 505 litres.

The X1 also comes with a six-speaker sound system with USB and AUX compatibility as standard. However, a Harman Kardon HiFi 12-speaker system with a 360-Watt output digital amplifier can be specified as an option.

PERFORMANCE

Now the interesting bit. The BMW X1, may only come with a range of turbocharged four bangers deploying its power to the road via an all-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive options, driven either by an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions. The X1 also features the brand’s latest TwinPower Turbo tech, whereby the turbocharger is intergrated into the exhaust manifold design. It also employs the newest ValveTronic and high-pressure commonrail direct-injectors for the oil burning variety.

The X1 can be had with a few varying power outputs. The petrol powered sDrive20i and xDrive20i puts out 192 hp at 5,000 rpm and 280 Nm of torque from as low as 1,250 rpm, whereas the range topper (xDrive25i) has an output of 231 hp at 5,000 rpm and 350 Nm of twist at 1,250 rpm with a century sprint time of 6.5 seconds.

The most frugal of the diesel powered X1 is the sDrive18d with an output of 150 hp at 4,000 rpm, providing 330 Nm of twist from 1,750 rpm and manages a fuel consumption figure of 5.1 litres per 100km. The xDrive20d and xDrive25d chucks out 190 hp and 231 hp respectively.

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SAFETY

The X1 comes as no surprise with these German marques kitted out to the brim with a host of electronic safety systems such Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control(CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Brake Assist system, Brake Fade Compensation, Active Differential Brake (ADB) and Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) for the xDrive models.

WHAT ELSE?

The BMW X1 is designed to be as efficient as possible for its class. It employs BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology that allows it to be more fuel economical. For example, the kidney grille and slats in the bumper can be actively shut to decrease drag. The X1 is built from a lightweight construction of ultra-high tensile steel which enables a reduction in materials usage whilst improving torsional rigidity and strength of the chassis.


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BMW X1 xDrive20d

BMW X1 xDrive20d