MUNICH: The second generation BMW X1 now stands taller, all the better to improve interior spaciousness.
Rugged proportions, a powerful presence and dynamic lines lend the new X1 a commanding appearance and highlight its status as the youngest member of the X model family. And its significantly raised seating position (+36mm at the front, +64mm at the rear) optimises the driver’s view out over the road.
The interior now offers significantly more space for passengers and luggage.
Knee room in the rear has increased by 37mm in standard specification and by up to 66mm with the optionally adjustable rear seat, while the 505-litre boot capacity is 85 litres larger than that of its predecessor.
Folding down the standard-fitted 40:20:40 rear seat backrest, which can also be specified in angle-adjustable form as an option, allows load capacity to be expanded to as much as 1,550 litres. The optional folding front passenger seat backrest and a rear seat bench which can slide 13cm fore and aft offer additional variability.
Standard equipment includes air conditioning, an audio system with USB and AUX-in sockets, and the iDrive operating system, whose 6.5-inch display is integrated into the instrument panel in freestanding monitor form.
The Advantage, Sport Line, xLine and M Sport packages available as an alternative to standard specification open the door for targeted individualisation.
Four-cylinder engines from the BMW Group’s latest generation of power units, an efficiency-optimised version of the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system and newly developed chassis technology all help to enhance sporting ability and ride comfort compared to the outgoing model – with fuel consumption and emissions reduced by up to 17 per cent, model-on-model.
Two petrol and three diesel units will be available from launch in October 2015, all of which have four cylinders and are members of the company's new engine family. Outputs range from 150hp to 231hp. The engines link up with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed Steptronic unit, both of which are new developments.
The xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system also takes its place in the new BMW X1 in a further developed form. The weight-saving, compact and efficient system uses an electro-hydraulically controlled multi-plate clutch to distribute drive between the front and rear axle just as required for the situation at hand.
Joining the fray in the X1 sDrive20i and X1 sDrive18d, meanwhile, is a front-wheel-drive construction and has already proved its mettle in the 2 Series Active Tourer and 2 Series Gran Tourer.
Among the items on the options list are full-LED headlights, Dynamic Damper Control, the Head-Up Display and Driving Assistant Plus system, the last two options making their debuts in the X1.
More than 730,000 units of the X1 have been sold since its introduction in 2009.
Pricing of the latest X1 will be announced closer to launch.
