Click Thumbnails to Enlarge
BMW X1 spied
By
Ben Pulman and Georg Kacher
22 February 2008 11:24
BMW’s new X1 is the real green 4x4 from Bavaria. Forget about X5s with solar panels on the roof because this baby SUV will have an eight-speed auto and Efficient Dynamics technology. It’ll also spawn a Mini 4x4.
Snapped cold weather testing in Scandinavia the X1, dubbed E84, is still over 18 months from production. It’s expected to go on sale in late 2009, after a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September next year.
The BMW X1 will use underpinnings from the four-wheel drive 3-series Touring available on the Continent. Mercedes will do the same with its forthcoming GLK, basing it on the 4Matic C-class estate.
How will BMW differentiate the X1 and X3?
Even the Bavarians are struggling with this one. The next X3 won’t grow too much in size so the X1 will be more youth-orientated. Note the sharply raked rear screen. But it won’t be too small, as that rear overhang should provide plenty of boot space. The long nose will also make sure the X1 meets the latest pedestrian crash regulations.
When the X1 arrives in 2009 it will have the market to itself, so it should hit its 60,000 sales per year target. The Audi Q1 and Merc’s new small SUV won’t appear until the start of the next decade
