BMW's->ke178 smallest SUV,->ke145 the 2016 BMW X1, could receive a hybrid->ke147 version in the future. That's the word from Australia's Motoring, quoting an unnamed source "close to the X1’s powertrain development." Though the insider hasn't confirmed an X1->ke2474 hybrid (likely to be named the X1 eDrive) is underway, he did say such a version is doable since the second-gen X1 shares underpinning with the 2014 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. The MPV is set to receive a plug-in hybrid->ke4486 drivetrain by the end of 2015.

"Of course it's possible. The design is similar so in theory we could do this, but we have to see if the customer wants this," he said. "For Europe the diesel engine gives us already low consumption and CO2 , so it’s a question of whether it is feasible, not if it’s possible," the insider added, hinting that the hybrid X1 has yet to be green-lighted for production.

Should that happen, expect it to feature a similar setup to the 2015 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Plug-In Hybrid, which combines a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor. The three-pot would spin the front wheels, while the motor would power the rear axle. Total output should sit around the 200-horsepower mark, combined with an all-electric range of more than 20 miles and a 0-to-60 mph sprint of 6.5 seconds. It should also return 50 mpg when using both the gasoline engine and the electric motor.

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Why it matters

Even though it's not yet clear whether BMW will develop an X1 eDrive model or not, a hybrid crossover->ke288 is bound to arrive sooner than later. With most mainstream automakers already moving toward electrification, every single model in BMW's lineup will get a hybrid at some point. And while the larger X5->ke326 and X3->ke255 would be more popular as hybrids, the X1 is currently better suited to adopt such a drivetrain, thanks to its UKL platform.

2016 BMW X1

Find out more about the second-generation BMW X1 in our full review here.