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BMW X1 (2009): clearest spy photos yet
By
Tim Pollard
Spyshots
10 July 2008 11:06
Strip away that natty disguise – have BMW's engineers been taking hallucinogenics? – and you'll see the best photos yet of the new BMW X1. Codenamed E84, the new crossover arrives in mid-2009 and is based on the running gear from today's E90 3-series.
Although plainly a tallboy estate/hatch/SUV crossover, BMW hopes the new X1 will maintain the brand's reputation for sporty handling. CAR Online has heard the X1 will even usher in the first-ever high-performance X product: an X1 20 tii is on the drawing board, as Munich relaunches its tii brand. Read our separate story about the new performance division here.
BMW X1: the lowdown
The X1 is BMW's answer to the Toyota RAV4 and its ilk: an SUV more in tune with the times, with a smaller footprint and some fuel-sipping tech to trim those fuel and tax bills. So expect the E90's Efficient Dynamics goodies, including stop-start and intelligent alternator control.
This car is also significant, as it will form the basis for the 2009 Mini 4x4. You can't help wondering if all these manufacturers piling into the SUV sector might be about to catch a cold... BMW certainly hopes not and is pretty confident the blue and white badge on the snout will secure 60,000 orders a year.
It should be on safe ground, as the X1 will arrive on the market a full year ahead of the Audi Q1 and Mercedes' forthcoming mini-me GLK.
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