German automobile giant BMW is prone to remind us that the X1, when introduced, did not have a spot in the market, so the company created one, the premium compact sports activity vehicle segment.
Now, despite dominating the class since, the X1 has been given a mid-life makeover adding even more appeal to the already successful crossover.
The range of engines has been extended with the addition of three new variants – two petrol, one diesel – joining the already familiar X1 xDrive20d diesel. Standard fitment is a six-speed manual gearbox, while BMW’s Steptronic eight-speed automatic transmission is an option.
The xDrive 20d test vehicle was powered by the same unit as the entry-level diesel, the xDrive 18d, with added oomph giving it a power output of 135 kW and peak torque of 380 Nm, producing acceleration from rest to 100 km/h in a nippy 8.1 seconds.
Having had no experience of the original X1, comparisons are redundant. Nevertheless, it appears that the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine was deemed competent enough to carry over.
Don’t expect this X1 to roar off from a standing start. The turbo takes time to cotton on to what is required of it but once up to speed, the car bowls along willingly until the need to pull up, something that hit home hard in the test car.
Travelling at pace in a line of heavy traffic, the vehicle in front dramatically stopped. Foot hard on the brake pedal, the ABS at full weight and the X1 stopped too. No harm done. Throughout the whole manoeuvre the SUV kept its line, thanks to the optimally tuned suspension and related rubber.
The latest BMW X1 diesel turned out to be safe and steady; more activity than sport.
With further BMW EfficientDynamics technology thrown in, fuel economy benefits from brake energy regeneration, Eco Pro mode and the optimum shift indicator for manual models.
The maker puts X1 xDrive 20d manual combined fuel consumption figures at 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres and carbon dioxide emissions of 145 grams per kilometre. The eight-speed automatic drops them to 5.4 litres and 143 grams respectively.
On several days town driving we averaged 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres. On the open road this dropped to 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres, not the figures published by BMW, but the company is hardly alone in this regard.
The icing on the fuel consumption cake was the auto engine stop-start function. Research has shown that in the average daily urban commute, this technology can result in fuel savings of up to 30 per cent.
A tip for those who haven’t experienced a stop-start system: on moving off, be patient and allow the motor to start up before tramping on the accelerator pedal, otherwise the car can lurch severely as if driven by a learner.
The xDrive of the X1 title refers to an all-wheel drive system that electronically controls torque distribution between front and rear axle – 40:60 under normal driving conditions – depending on which has the better traction. It’s one of those discreet systems that prevents the driver from getting into too much trouble under difficult going.
BMW ConnectedDrive adds cruise control with braking function, plus rear park distance control as standard, the latter a great help in warning of low-set obstructions not visible from the command driving position.
ConnectedDrive can also add optional adaptive navigation, professional and business systems, internet functionality, music interface for smartphones, high end Harman Kardon sound system, Bi-xenon headlights and a rearview camera.
On the outside, the new X1’s already distinctive look has been beefed up with paint jobs to the front and rear bumpers, while side indicator lights are now integrated into the exterior mirrors reducing the chance of them being inadvertently left operating, confusing other road users.
An upgrade in headlamps has resulted in a facelift to the X1, which can be given additional shine with optional Xenon lights incorporating white LED corona rings and a white LED arch.
There’s more to the passenger cabin too, with better material on the centre console, new centre panel trim surrounds and chrome trim. An on-board computer is linked to a premium sound system with USB audio interface with Bluetooth hands-free facility.
From the driver’s angle, the X1 presents vehicle system information in a clear and concise manner, controls come to hand readily, and there were no complaints from other occupants during the test.
The BMW X1 xDrive 20d with a six-speed manual sells for $54,900, plus on road costs. Our test car also had automatic transmission ($3500), performance control ($400), panoramic glass roof ($3000), metallic paint ($1700), Navigation Package Business $2900) and performance control ($400).
The car also wore all the accoutrements of an xLine package, which adds a further $3200. This included Y-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, aluminium roof rails, ambient lighting, BMW xLine door sill finishes, velour floor mats, sport leather steering wheel, Nevada leather upholstery with contrast piping and highlight stripe on the seat backrests and ‘X’ stamping on headrests.
It all adds up very quickly if you find it difficult to resist temptation.
The smallest SUV in the BMW collection makes an excellent small-medium station wagon, being not only practical but also providing excellent on-road dynamics, not to mention that little thing called prestige.
MODEL RANGE
X1 sDrive18d 2.0-litre diesel five-door wagon: $44,900 (manual), $48,400 (automatic)
X1 sDrive20i 2.0-litre petrol five-door wagon: $46,900(manual), $50,400 (automatic)
X1 xDrive20d 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $54,900 (manual), $58,400 (automatic)
X1 xDrive28i 2.0-litre petrol five-door wagon: $58,200 (manual), $61,700 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local BMW dealer for driveaway prices.
BMW X1 xDRIVE 20d ENGINE:
Capacity: 1995 cc
Type: TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder diesel engine, combines common-rail direct injection and a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry
Fuel type: Diesel
Maximum Power: 135 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 380 Nm @ 1750-2750 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Six-speed manual. Optional 8-speed Steptronic automatic. xDrive: permanent all-wheel drive system with fully variable torque split between front and rear axles
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4477 mm
Width: 1798 mm
Height: 1545 mm
Wheelbase: 2760 mm
Track, front / back: 1500 mm / 1529 mm
Ground clearance: 179 mm
Turning circle: 11.8 metres
Drag co-efficient: Cd 0.34
Seats / boot capacity: 5 / 420 litres (rear seat backs up); 1520 litres (rear seat backs folded)
Fuel tank capacity: 61 litres
Kerb weight: 1575 kg / 1585 (automatic)
Payload 550 kg
Roof load limit: 75 kg
Towing: 2000 kg (braked); 750 kg (unbraked)
Maximum tow ball download: 140 kg
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Suspension: Centre arm rear axle, double-joint spring-strut front axle. Dynamic Driving Control, enables individual adjustment of drive train and suspension components
Brakes: Ventilated front and rear disc with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)
Steering: Rack-and-pinion electric power steering with Servotronic
Wheels / tyres: BMW light-alloy wheels, Star-spoke styling 320, 8 J x 18in with 225/45 R18 run-flat safety tyres
PERFORMANCE:
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.1 sec (8.1)
Maximum speed 205 km/h
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 5.5 (5.4) L/100km, CO2 emissions 159 (143) g/km
Emission standard: EU5
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7.5/10 Air Pollution Rating: 6/10
