New BMW X1 unveiled

BMW has revealed its second-generation X1 in a series of official photographs some three-and-a-half months before the all-new SUV is planned to make its public premiere at the Frankfurt motor show.

Set for Australia delivery in early 2016, the Audi Q3 rival has been comprehensively re-engineered in a move that sees it eschew the 3-Series based underpinnings of its predecessor in favour of BMW's versatile new UKL platform, as used by the German car maker's recently-introduced 2-Series ActiveTourer and 2-Series GranTourer.

Gone is the longitudinal engine layout of the first-generation X1. It is replaced by a space-saving transverse layout that helps provide the new BMW with additional interior space and improved safety credentials. Lower end models also receive front-wheel drive instead of the rear-wheel drive of outgoing X1, some 730,000 of which have been sold worldwide since its introduction in 2008.

The new X1 takes on a more rugged appearance than the model it succeeds, with a bolder front end dominated by BMW's signature kidney grille, angular headlamps featuring LED day time running lamps, round fog lamps sited independently within the front bumper assembly, contoured bonnet, prominent front wheel arches, a more heavily structured body, additional cladding within the wheelhouses and sills, greater ground clearance and an angled tailgate boasting optional automatic operation for the first time via the key fob.

The adoption of the UKL platform has allowed BMW's design team to endow the X1 with an altered silhouette featuring a significantly shorter bonnet and longer roof line than the old X1. Retaining the five door layout, it also receives larger rear-door door apertures for added ease of entry.

The new X1 is 36mm shorter but 21mm wider and 53mm higher than its predecessor at 4439mm, 1821mm and 1598mm respectively. It also rides on a 90mm longer wheelbase at 2760mm, providing it with shorter overhangs both front and rear than the old X1. The tracks have also been extended by a generous 61mm at the front to 1561mm and by 32mm at the rear to 1562mm, increasing its overall footprint.

While continuing to offer accommodation for up to five, the new BMW SUV adopts a revised seating layout aimed at taking advantage of the packaging improvements brought by the switch to a transverse engine layout; the front seats are positioned 36mm higher than on the first-generation model, while the rear seats are set 64mm higher than before.

The longer wheelbase provides the basis for a 37mm increase in rear seat kneeroom with the standard fixed rear seat, according to BMW. This increases to an additional 66mm with an optional sliding rear seat that offers 130mm of longitudinal adjustment as well as back rest adjustment in three steps. Nominal boot space has also increased by 85 litres over the first-generation X1 at 505 litres, with 1550 litres on offer when the rear seats are folded away. The folding process for the backrests can be initiated electrically from the rear of the boot at the touch of a button. As an option, the front passenger seat backrest can also be folded down.

BMW has embraced a range of weight saving measures that sees the new X1 hit the scales at an impressive 135kg under its predecessor in entry level X1 sDrive18d guise at 1430kg. Included is the increased use of hot formed high strength steel and aluminium within the main body structure, the employment of tailored blank steel (sheet steel in varying degrees of thickness) for the front bulkhead and B-pillar, a bonnet made of aluminium and tube shaped anti-roll bars front and rear.

Underpinning the new BMW is a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension shared with the 2-Series GranTourer. It is allied to an electro-mechanical speed-sensitive ServoTronic steering system that is engineered to provide lighter weighting at lower speeds for added manouverability around town and a more firmer feel at higher speeds for increased stability on the motorway.

The new compact off-roader rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, with 18- and 19-inch rims available as an option.

In a first for the X1, the new model comes with adjustable dampers in combination with an optional Driver Experience Control function that enables the driver to choose between sport and comfort settings for the suspension along with three differing driving modes: sport, comfort and eco-pro. Buyers can also specify an optional sports suspension that reduces the standard 183mm ground clearance by 10mm.

The new X1 will be launched with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine in two states of tune and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder common rail diesel offering the choice of three differing outputs.

The petrol unit hails from BMW's new B48 engine family and replaces the older N20 powerplant. It delivers 141kW and 280Nm of torque in the X1 sDrive20i and X1 xDrive20i for respective increases of 5kW and 10Nm on predecessor models. With greater turbocharger boost pressure and other detailed tweaks, it also kicks out 170kW and 350Nm in the X1 xDrive25i, providing it with 10kW less but the same torque loading as its direct predecessor, the old X1 xDrive28i.

The diesel engine is also a new development. Codenamed B47, it replaces the older N47 unit used by the old X1. It delivers 110kW and 330Nm in the X1 sDrive18d, 140kW and 400Nm in the X1 xDrive20d and a class-leading 170kW and 450Nm in the X1 xDrive25d.

The entry-level X1 sDrive18d is the only model to receive a standard six-speed manual gearbox. All other new X1 models come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which in combination with the optional Driver Experience Control includes a coasting function that disengages the clutch when you lift of the throttle at speeds between 50 and 160km/h, as standard. All models receive brake energy recuperation, automatic stop/start and a optimum shift indicator.

Two of the launch models, the X1 sDrive18d and X1 sDrive20i, come as standard with front-wheel drive. The remaining four, the X1 xDrive20i, X1 xDrive25i, X1 xDrive20d and X1 xDrive25d, all get four-wheel drive as standard.

BMW claims the four-wheel drive system used by the new X1 is considerably lighter and boasts a 30 per cent reduction in torque losses over the older arrangement for added fuel savings and greater traction in off-road conditions. Among the long list of standard driving aids on all models is DSC (dynamic stability control), DTC (dynamic traction control) and CBC (cornering brake control).

The most economical model in the launch line-up is the front-wheel drive X1 sDrive18d, which returns a claimed 4.1L/100km and boasts average CO2 emissions of 109g/km. The performance leader is the X1 xDrive25i, which boasts an official 0-100km/h of 6.5sec and 235km/h top speed.

Further engines will be added to the line-up later on, including the new B38 direct-injection petrol unit in a front-wheel drive successor to today's rear-wheel drive X1 sDrive18i. It is already offered in the 2-Series ActiveTourer, where the turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder delivers 100kW and 220Nm of torque.

Also planned is a front-wheel drive follow-up to the existing rear-wheel drive X1 sDrive16d running BMW's new B37 common rail diesel. The 1.5-litre engine is likely to offered in its highest state of tune, with 85kW and 270Nm.

Pricing for the new X1 is yet to be revealed. However, BMW officials suggest the new model will be pitched close in price to the old X1, starting at around $45,000 (plus on-road costs).