Just like pretty much any other automaker, BMW wanted to appear in all sub-categories of the crossover gold mine. However, since it already had X3, X5 and X6, it was necessary to work harder on differentiation. The solution was to make X1 some sort of “urban SUV”. It was tall and had off-road capabilities, but combined those to rear-wheel drive and even a cab-rearward design, which is quite unusual in this segment. The new vehicle did sell surprisingly well in the market, but over the years it was concluded that it happened more for being a BMW car than for its own characteristics. Add that to the fact that the company’s experience with crossovers only increased since then, and it becomes easier to understand X1’s new generation.
The external design is a great symbol of its new self: it became much closer to the average level of its competitors. The front fascia is a combination of 1-Series’ upper part to the X lineup’s lower. The hood shorter enough to make its cabin adopt the conventional proportions. That sleek silhouette was dropped in favor of more internal space and a reinforcement of the feeling that X1 is smaller than its siblings. And the rear fascia is just another interpretation of BMW’s current design language. The vehicle is miles away from looking bad, of course. But it’s also true that such result could also be achieved in ways that wouldn’t turn it into what you’d buy if you needed a 2-Series Active or Gran Tourer but didn’t want to admit you needed a minivan.
If you already entered any BMW model produced in the past few years, the new X1 won’t surprise you at all. There are the same horizontal lines, the same rectangular elements, and the same feeling of conservative sportiness. On the other hand, details as simple as making the central touchscreen “float” above the dashboard instead of integrating it, rethinking the proportions of the two-tone coating, and freeing the instrument cluster of that orange light managed to give a clear upscale touch to this vehicle. As usual, the color schemes you get depend on the trim level in which you take your X1: the conventional xLine relies on brown to make the interior cozy, while Sport Line makes the best of a non-sporty car with inserts in white and red.
Now, remember when it was said that X1 became more conventional? Well, the most important expression of that lies under the visible parts. This is the latest model to use BMW’s front-wheel drive platform, the very same which already underpins the current Mini Cooper and the aforementioned Bavarian minivans. The construction differences implied by this change have some responsibility for the vehicle’s stylistic changes as well, by the way. Along with higher construction quality and some weight loss, the all-new structure also forced X1 to use smaller engines and to have them in transverse position. Such operation made more room for people – height is up by 53 mm and rear seats can slide – as well as bags – the trunk now reaches 505 liters.
X1’s new platform brought improvements to the equipment list, as well. Between standard and optional items, there are active dampers, adaptive LED headlights, hands-free power operation for the liftgate, head-up display, power-folding rear seats, and ConnectedDrive. Integrated with Facebook, iHeartRadio, Life 360, Spotify and Twitter, this is surely one of the best infotainment systems offered in nowadays. As far as safety is concerned, the biggest feature is the typical array of electronic systems. Some of them are automated parking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. Besides all that, those who still won’t buy an FWD BMW can ask for xDrive, that uses electro-hydraulic clutch and can send all the torque to the axle with most grip.
Considering that one of the adjectives which would best define the second-generation X1 is “predictable”, it’s easy to guess the crossover’s new engine list. Depending on the country, there will be three-cylinder 1.5-liters and four-cylinder 2.0-liters, whether burning diesel or gasoline. All of them are turbocharged and feature several fuel-saving technologies, but their outputs range from sDrive18d’s 148 hp and 65 combined mpg to xDrive25d’s 228 hp and 6.6 seconds from 0 to 62 mph. BMW also informs that X1’s fuel consumption is lower by 17% on average, but there’s not even a word on a new six-cylinder sibling. This vehicle is expected to go on sale in a few months, starting with European and North-American markets.