Traditional BMW->ke178 fans’ heads are likely nearing capacity for change, and now I have one more bit of change to cram in there. I am talking about a report that BMW in considering building an X1 M.

That’s right, not only is BMW swapping its 1 Series->ke313 and X1->ke2474 to front-wheel drive, it now wants its M Performance division to operate on this transverse setup. Fortunately, the X1 M would likely be all-wheel drive, so we can give it a little bit of a pass. Still, an M-tuned compact crossover… Ugh…

According to the report, the 2017 BMW X1 M would likely have to live with a retuned version of the existing 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which BMW stated could produce as much as 302 horsepower. In years past we’d say “just stuff the 3.0-liter inline-six under the hood and call it a day,” but the transverse setup under the new 2016 BMW X1 eliminates this one-time catchall solution. So, four-cylinder it is!

While that may not sound like the power output we’re all used to from an M vehicle, it is in line with its main competitors: 2015 Audi RS Q3 and 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG.

With the X1 set to hit dealers later in 2015, look for the X1 M to launch midway through 2016 at the earliest.

Continue reading for the full story.

Why it matters

I am not your traditional BMW fan. While I love the years of the lightweight, naturally aspirated M3->ke2366 and the 2002,->ke4727 and the skill it took to drive them fast, I appreciate the modern era too. Seemingly anyone, except Rowan Atkinson obviously, can hop in these modern rigs, like the new 2016 BMW M3 and 2015 BMW M4, and drive them like seasoned pros. This is all courtesy of the electric nannies that compensate for human error and such.

Despite my openness to change, I simply haven’t adjusted to these small and dangerously fast crossovers. Maybe I will someday, but they still seem out of place to me.

Regardless of my opinion, the public (you) seem to love these things, and with Audi->ke14 and Benz->ke187 already dominating this popular segment, Bimmer is right to jump in now. I guess.

2016 BMW X1

Read our full review here.

2017 BMW X1 M

Read our speculative review here.