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2016 BMW X1 EV 
Today must have been national test day for electric cars. Shortly after catching the R8 E-tron testing in the cold, our spy photographers caught a very interesting model testing. At a first look it appears you are looking at a standard BMW X1, but you are actually looking at an all-electric X1. As you can see from the spy shots the prototype features no exhaust pipes and there are also some Hybrid stickers – an obvious attempt at subterfuge. Our spy photographers lurked around long enough to confirm that this is an EV, as when it finally took off, there was not a peep from a gasoline engine. We are not too sure if this means that the company is developing an electric version of the X1 or if it is simply testing the technology for other models. Still, considering that BMW and Toyota have recently signed an agreement and that Toyota already offers an electric version of the RAV4, you shouldn’t be too surprised to see something similar from BMW. Click past the jump to read more on the X1 EV Full story
2013 BMW X1 Powder Ride and Concept K2 Special Editions
For people that get the four seasons, you’re all probably aware that winter is coming, and that means you’re going to need a ride that can take the wrath of the cold in stride. German automaker BMW has partnered with ski manufacturer K2 to provide us winter wanderers with the ride for the season. Based on the former’s X1 SUV, the ride has been dubbed the X1Powder Ride Special Edition and it comes with a plethora of exclusive features that, quite frankly, no other X1 will probably have. For starters, the special edition X1 will carry a number of color options, including non-metallic paint shades like Black and Alpine White, in addition to more glistening shades like Valencia Orange, Mineral White, Mineral Grey, Glacier Silver, and Black Sapphire. In addition to that, the X1 Powder Ride Edition will also come with plenty of new equipment that has been specifically added to the SUV’s overall purpose. There are roof rails, door sill strips, leather trim for the seats and steering wheel, a snowboard bag, all-weather floor mats, a roof box, ambient lighting, and a new set of 18" alloy wheels, a lot of which are part of the the automaker’s xLine package. Just because it’s co-produced by K2, the X1 Powder Ride Edition will also come with an exclusively designed pair of K2 LTD Powder Ride skis. As far as engine options are concerned, the X1 Powder Ride Special Edition will be available for the 300-horsepower xDrive35i straight-six model or the 240-horsepower xDrive28i four-cylinder model. The BMW X1 Powder Ride Special Edition will make its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show before hitting dealerships next year. Meanwhile, the Concept K2 Power Ride, another LA-bound BMW X1, will come with a taller ride height, tinted windows, a new set of 19" alloy wheels, a custom milled aluminum ski rack, and an integrated Harman Kardon sound system. Next-Gen X1 Will Go Front-Wheel Drive and Share Mini Driveline Components While we are all anxiously awaiting the debut of the X1 in the U.S., which is set to happen this fall, BMW is hard at work piecing together the next-generation model. According to Autocar, this work involves figuring out how to fit Mini Countryman drivetrain components under the next-gen X1. This combination of the Mini and BMW lineup is expected to help reduce production costs and hopefully reduce its cost to the buyer. In addition to sharing underpinnings with the Mini Countryman, the next-generation X1, which is expected to debut in 2015, will come standard with front-wheel drive, as opposed to the standard rear-wheel drive that the 2013 X1 will bear. It will, however, retain its optional all-wheel drive. This new chassis, dubbed the Unter Klasse (UKL), will also eliminate the possibility of a 6-cylinder option for the next-gen X1, as BMW has no plans to transversely mount a 6-pot in any of its cars. In reality, there are chances of the X1 getting an even smaller engine, as BMW is supposedly considering dropping the petite 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine in the 2015 X1. This all comes as a huge surprise to us, as the X1 is just now making its way to the States, and BMW is already planning on pretty much scrapping the entire thing. Plus, to start throwing Countryman parts onto this crossover SUV is just going to make it that much more irrelevant to buyers that may need to haul anything more than the kids and luggage around. We guess we’ll just have to wait and see exactly how BMW plans to set this whole system up, as one of the key components to a crossover SUV is its ability to haul light cargo. The Countryman’s 860-pound max payload capacity doesn’t quite fit the bill. We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available. BMW planning to triple production across Chinese market The Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW rivalry has always existed, but has rarely ever been as fierce at it his right now. Not only are all three manufacturers competing in DTM racing for the first time in history, but the three are also jostling over the Chinese market in order to become the country’s largest manufacturer of luxury vehicles. With Volkswagen confirming its plans to help increase the popularity of Audi in China, BMW has announced that it plans to triple output across its Chinese production facilities to 300,000 units annually in line with the opening of the new Tiexi production facility. This facility will soon start production of the X1 in the coming weeks. However, not everything coming out of this announcement is positive as there’s a risk BMW could be putting too much faith into the Chinese market and risk overdependence on its sales in order to boost profit levels. A research analyst from Frost & Sullivan pointed out that, “There are no other regions that can provide for such massive numbers of sales as China can,” he said. “In the event of economic turmoil in China, most German automakers could end up with hundreds of thousands of unsold cars.” Just like most economies operate, China faces its fair share of good and bad patches and right now the Chinese economy is booming which can only mean one thing. If the U.S. and the Eurozone are anything to go by, China’s growth may slump in the next few years and this would obviously hamper European firms entering the market. Conversely however, Audi and Mercedes-Benz will also be in similar boats if it all goes bottoms up but for BMW’s sake we wish them all well with this expansion.
2013 BMW X1The US market will finally get the smallest version in the X-Series line-up and it’s about time considering the Europeans have already been enjoying it for about three years. The 2013 X1 will be making its world debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show and will go on sale in Fall 2012 starting at a starting price of $31,545. For comparison, the X3 is currently the smallest X model on the US market and it is priced at $37,100. The new 2013 BMW X1 will be offered in three trim levels: X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, and the X1 xDrive35i. The first two levels will be powered by a 240 hp 4-cylinder engine, while the top version will get a 300 HP 6-cylinder inline engine. Both engines will be combined with an automatic gearbox and extensive BMW EfficientDynamics technology. Compared to the previous model, the 2013 X1 has received some minor design upgrades at the front and rear of the vehicle, while the interior has received new colors and trims. UPDATE 04/03/2012: This review has been updated with the official details and specs for the 2013 BMW X1. UPDATE 05/03/2012: Today we have added about 100 new high res images to the BMW X1 picture gallery. Enjoy! Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 BMW X1. Full story 2013 BMW X1 M35i xDrive
2012 is shaping up to be the year when all of BMW’s X-Series will be receiving small facelifts. But 2012 is also the year when BMW will be unveiling the first models of its new M Performance division. We have already seen the new M550d xDrive, the X6 M50d and the X5 M50d, but unfortunately none of these models will be offered in the USA. And now, the latest rumors suggest that BMW will apply the same treatment for the X1, and unlike its M brethren, this model will actually be offered in the US market. The new model will be called the X1 M35i xDrive and will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2012. The new X1 M35i xDrive will be powered by the company’s latest four cylinder twin-turbo engine with the output increased to 320 HP. This engine will be combined with an M-tuned chassis and a reworked suspension, as well as the usual M Performance aerodynamic package that includes new front and rear aprons with large air intakes, a bespoke rear apron and, of course, a new set of wheels. 2012 BMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition
BMW is readying yet another X1 variant for this year’s Fall lineup with the new X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition. This new model will be powered by a four cylinder engine that delivers a total of 163 HP and delivers an average fuel consumption of 4.5 liters/100 km with a CO2 emission of only 119 grams per kilometer. With these numbers, the new model will become the most fuel efficient X model yet. The engine for the new X1 has been optimized with a centrifugal force pendulum in the dual-mass flywheel, which compensates vibration experienced at low engine speeds, thus providing more riding comfort when the vehicle is driven within the economic low engine speed range. The gear-shift point indicator fitted as standard has been adapted to suit the new engine characteristics. The new engine will also be combined with brake energy regeneration, Auto Start Stop function, electromechanical power steering, a disengageable air-conditioning compressor, and tires with reduced rolling resistance. All told, the BMW X1 lineup will include three petrol and four diesel power units with power ranging from 143 to 245 HP. 2015 BMW X1
Next to the 1-Series hatchback version, BMW is also preparing to make some changes for the smallest SUV in the line-up: the X1. However, do not expect to see it happen one or two years after we will see the new 1-Series generation launched, meaning the new X1 is expected sometime in 2014-2015. And as with the 1-Series models, the future X1 will focus on improving the car’s general look, the interior comfort, but also on improving the fuel consumption. As a result the general look will be inspired by the latest models in the line-up, like the 5-Series, but also from the future 3-Series. As for the interior, standard equipment will include all the latest BMW technologies, and most likely the latest ConnectDrive technology will be offered for those interested. As for the engine line-up, BMW will keep the current engine line-up, but with modifications made in order to lower the fuel consumption. Start-Stop, xDrive and other technologies like this will also be offered, while a hybrid version is a big possibility. UPDATE 07/03/2012: British magazine Autocar has learned a few more things about the upcoming generation BMW X1. According to the magazine, the next X1 will drop the current rear-wheel-drive platform in favor of a new front-drive architecture which will be shared with the next 1-Series GT and the second-generation Mini Countryman. The new platform is known as the UKL (German for "Unter Klasse" or "entry level") and will be combined with a Haldex style multi-plate clutch. It will also be offered exclusively with four-cylinder engines. 2011 BMW X1 M Sport
BMW announced the availability of the M-Sport package on the X1 series with the launch of the X1 xDrive28i. And the first market to actually offer it is the British one. In there the model will be priced at £26,615 OTR ($42,500 at the current exchange rates) for a BMW X1 18d sDrive M Sport and £27,710 OTR ($44,000 at the current exchange rates) for 18d xDrive M Sport. The M Sport package will add 17-inch star-spoke M alloy wheels, chrome plated door sill finishers with M designation, High-gloss Shadowline exterior trim for the window surrounds, M Sport multi-function steering wheel, Sport seats and Anthracite headlining. The BMW X1 xDrive18d and the BMW X1 sDrive18d are powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 143 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 10.1 seconds and 9.6 seconds respectively , while top speed is 121 and, 124 mph respectively. 2011 BMW X1 xDrive28i
BMW announced the launch of a new engine, a 2.0-liter petrol engine, and the first model to be powered by it is the X1 xDrive28i. The new engine comes with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology featuring high-performance twin-scroll turbocharging system, High Precision Injection direct petrol injection with innovative solenoid injectors, and the latest further enhanced version of the BMW-patented VALVETRONIC variable valve control system. The engine delivers an impressive 245 HP, but in the same time has a fuel economy of 35.7 mpg. It will be mated as standard with a with six-speed manual transmission or optionally with eight-speed automatic; extensive BMW EfficientDynamics features, including Auto Start-Stop function, xDrive all-wheel-drive system calibrated for optimized driving dynamics and Performance Control. The new BMW X1 xDrive28i will go on sale this spring, and as a first for the X1 series it will be offered with M Sports package. Hit the jump to read more about the new BMW X1 xDrive28i. Full story | BMW X1 latest reviews:Find us on Facebook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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