BMW unveils new X1 baby SAV

Jul 2 2009 Steve Hughes

BMW has announced that it is to introduce a smaller version of its X3 SAV model, the X1, in October with a choice of two and four wheel drive.

It will be the first of the company's X Series models to have stop/start as part of the EfficientDynamics package and will cost from £22,660.

As is increasingly the case in the so-called compact Sport Activity Vehicle sector of the market there will be the option of two wheel drive models, with power transmitted to the rear wheels only.

Although demand for chunky vehicles of whatever size remains strong, few ever venture off road, meaning that the extra drag of a 4x4 system is unnecessary and wasteful.

BMW says that the styling cue for the X1 is straight from the X5, with five seats and a luggage space of 1,350 litres.

Power will come from a choice of three diesel engines, with BMW saying that oil-burners in such vehicles are now so popular that it does not intend to offer a petrol version at this stage.

The turbocharged sDrive18d and the xDrive18d are actually two-litre engines generating 143bhp to give acceleration to 60mph in 9.6 seconds and a top speed of 125mph for the rear-wheel drive X1 sDrive18d SE.

The four wheel drive X1 xDrive18d SE takes slightly longer at about ten seconds to reach 60mph and the top speed falls slightly to 120mph.

Economy is 54mpg for the rear wheel drive sDrive model and 50mpg for the 4x4 xDrive version.

The engine is EU5 rated and achieves 136g/km and 150g/km CO2 emissions.

Offering a higher outright performance, the BMW sDrive20d SE and xDrive20d SE will also be offered.

Powered by the same 1,995cc engine but in a higher state of tune, these two models generate 177bhp, which results in improved performance figures with a 0-60mph acceleration time of 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 127mph.

As the flagship model the BMW xDrive23d SE is offered only in four-wheel drive guise. Still using a 2.0-litre engine, but with twin-turbochargers it generates 204bhp and accelerates the X1 to 60mph in 7.3 seconds.

The xDrive23d SE is an EU5-rated vehicle that averages 45mpg economy and has a CO2 rating of 167g/km.

Most BMW X1s come with a six-speed manual gearbox although the xDrive23d has a six-speed automatic transmission with paddles on the steering wheel.

Prices are £22,660 for the BMW X1 sDrive18d SE, £23,940 for the BMW X1 xDrive18d SE, £24,205 BMW X1 sDrive20d SE, £25,510 for the BMW X1 xDrive20d SE and £29,055 for the BMW X1 xDrive23d SE.