The much awaited 2016 BMW X1 has been revealed. The second generation model carries significant improvements over the first gen and is likely to be a game changer in the entry level luxury crossover segment.
The X1 as we all know is BMW’s offering in the compact SUV/crossover segment. The first generation of the vehicle was launched way back in 2009 and now, after serving the market for 6 years, the company has finally unveiled the second generation X1. The 2016 BMW X1 comes across as a huge change over the outgoing model. It has been enhanced cosmetically as well as mechanically. While the previous generation X1 had a rear-wheel-drive set up, the new model will get a new front-wheel-drive set up, which is a first for BMW in this segment.
The front fascia of the 2016 BMW X1 looks very mature now. It resembles its elder sibling X3 up to quite an extent. The front bumper has an aesthetic appeal while the kidney grilles have also grown in size. The fog lamps get a nice unique positioning now. The headlights carry the usual design found on most other BMWs. The side profile is pretty much clean and you can see a hint of black body cladding installed on the compact SUV that extends to the entire side profile and blends nicely into the front and rear bumpers. The design of the dashboard has been tweaked and we can also see a new steering wheel and a transmission knob now.
The 2016 BMW X1 is based on the company’s new UKL1 architecture which also underpins the new MINI Cooper as well as the BMW 2-Series. The earlier generation of the X1 had a longitudinal mounting for the engine but the new model will boast of a transverse layout. The German auto giant will offer a range of petrol and diesel engines with the SUV. The sDrive20i FWD and xDrive20i AWD variants will get 192 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque while the xDrive25i AWD variant will give out 231 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque. Talking about oil-burners, the sDrive18d FWD will give out 150 PS of power and 330 Nm of torque while the xDrive20d AWD variant will churn out 190 PS of power and 400 Nm of torque. The range topping xDrive25d variant will produce 231 PS of power and 450 Nm of torque.
The engines will be mated to 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic transmissions. In India, we are unlikely to get the manual variants. The 3-cylinder petrol and diesel engines will be introduced at a later date while the 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines will be made available right from launch. The 2016 X1 will be offered in five variants – Base, Advantage, Sport Line, xLine and M Sport. BMW will announce prices of the vehicle only when it gets launched. The current X1 sells in less numbers compared to the Mercedes GLA and Audi Q3 but we’re expecting the new model to change the game in its favour when it is launched in India next year.
