BMW has announced first details of its second-generation X1 crossover which is set to go on sale in the autumn.
A popular car here in the UK with retail buyers and company car drivers alike, the X1 has sold more than 730,000 globally since it went on sale in 2009, with nearly 40,000 of those sales belonging to UK customers.
Range of new engines
The new X1 will be available with one petrol and three diesel engines, each with 2-litre displacement and BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.
Kicking off the range is xDrive20i which is powered by a 189bhp four-cylinder petrol engine combined as standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission; 0-62mph is achieved in 7.4 seconds, with an average fuel consumption of 44.8mpg while CO2 emissions come in at 146g/km.
Likely to be more popular with company car drivers will be the diesel options on offer here and the range starts with the sDrive18d and xDrive20d, the former is the only option in the range to be fitted with a manual gearbox as standard. Manual xDrive18d and xDrive20d models are expected to join the range in November 2015.
The xDrive20d offers 187bhp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, while running costs stay relatively low with an official combined fuel consumption figure of 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 128g/km meaning a 23 percent BIK tax band for the current 2015/16 year.
For the optimum in low tax costs, the pick of the range will be the sDrive18d which has an official combined figure of 68.9mpg and CO2 of just 109g/km, rising to 114g/km if you opt for the optional automatic gearbox.
This places the sDrive18d in a 19 percent or 20 percent BIK tax band for the current tax year – impressive stuff.
Topping the diesel range is the xDrive25d with a maximum output of 227bhp, which, according to BMW, is the most powerful four-cylinder diesel ever fitted in one of the German firms cars. It accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds and posts an average fuel consumption of 56.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 132g/km.
BMW’s excellent xDrive all-wheel-drive system is also available in updated form for the second generation plus redeveloped chassis technology promises even greater driver comfort, the X1 will also be offered for the first time with the option of BMW’s Dynamic Damper Control system.
More space on offer
The latest BMW X1 has been on a bit of a growth spurt over the previous generation, most notably in height being 53mm taller than its predecessor offering more interior space than ever before.
Boot capacity of 505 litres represents an 85-litre improvement on the first-generation and can be increased to 1,550 litres by folding down the rear seats. A 60:40-split rear bench is optionally available too which can slide forwards or back by up to 13cm.
Sat-nav now standard
Available in a choice of four trims, standard kit in the new X1 has been improved with an array of equipment available, among the highlights is a 6.5-inch colour display, sat-nav, air-con, automatic tailgate, keyless engine and automatic lights and wipers.
The Driving Experience Control switch on the centre console is available as standard too which allows the driver to select either Comfort, Sport or Eco Pro modes which adapts the response of the throttle, gearbox, damper settings and steering.
Options in the new X1 include an upgraded navigation system with a 8.8-inch touchscreen, a panoramic sunroof, upgraded sound system and internet based services. Camera-based assistance systems like lane departure warning, automatic high beam lights and adaptive cruise control are also available as options.
The BMW X1 goes on sale the 24th October 2015, prices will be announced at a later date.
