BMW Concept X1: City Savvy SUV
Motoring Channel Staff - 2/October/2008
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BMW Concept X1

The Concept X1 is an early look at BMW's upcoming compact AWD

The 4WD vehicle will be powered by a range of 4- and 6-cylinder BMW engines

BMW modellers crafting the Concept X1's clay shell

Will BMW hit big with the Concept X1?
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Paris, France — It couldn't be labelled ground breaking, but BMW's new concept car does warrant a closer look. Called
the Concept X1, it is a precursor to the BMW X1 production vehicle that
will join the X5 and X3 sports utility or 4WD vehicles in the next
couple of years. BMW chose to launch the new concept at the
prestigious 2008 Paris Motor Show, and the German company argues that
the new model is a younger and more urban concept than its X3 and
X5 siblings. The new X1 model, based on this concept, is based on
a modified 3 Series floorpan, and as such could benefit from a number
of high performance engines. Gearboxes are likely to range from
6-speed manuals to 8-speed automatics, and BMW is predicting big things
for this (relatively) small model. The German
company believes that it can sell up to 100,000 units of the X1
per year, which may not be such a stretch after all. Customers on
a world-wide scale are moving away from larger SUVs, but compact SUVs
are still quite popular and BMW is hoping to capitalise on this trend. When
the production version launches, expected later next year, it will
rival vehicles such as the Volkswagen Tiguan and will extend BMW's 'X'
series to three models. "The BMW Concept X1 sets the standard for
cool elegance, modern style, and variable function in the premium
compact segment," says Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group
Australia. Talking up the vehicle's practicality and compact
size, Seemann adds: "The BMW Concept X1 offers ample room for
spontaneous mobility in many different ways, clearly reflecting the
lifestyle of a modern and active target group. "Many of the
details on the concept car are a clear indication that an actual series
production model is not too far away," says Seemann. According
to BMW, the new concept car combines typical features of a BMW X model
with elegant and sleek proportions, giving the concept a unique
character within the range of BMW X models. The front end is typical BMW fare, with a few tweaks to give it a slightly fresher look than its X3 and X5 family members. BMW
says the powerful front end design is also emphasised by its sheer
width and a floor protection element, finished in silver, also
emphasises the wide track. At the rear the BMW Concept X1 features LED brake lights, and the show car sits on large 19-inch alloy wheels. Exhibiting
a number of the BMW 1 Series design cues, the new model isn't one of
BMW's best. In fact it's a pretty dull product, especially considering
it's been given the 'concept' moniker. Fingers crossed the production version doesn't look so bland. Though it's expected to be classed a compact SUV, the BMW Concept X1 is not very small. Measuring 4,457mm
long (just 10cm shorter than the X3) the Concept X1 will have a fairly
large cargo space in the rear and enough room for five passengers. BMW's
new model is expected to deliver a number of innovative features,
including advanced driving aids and multimedia options. These
technological advances will go a long way to attracting more people to
the new vehicle as the design is arguably one of the most uninspired
we've seen from BMW in a long time. When BMW can unleash such amazing concepts as the CS, this jacked-up BMW 1 Series comes across as Stay tuned for more info on the BMW Concept X1 over the next week. Related Links:
- BMW
Concept CS (Concept) - BMW 3 Series (2009) - BMW 7 Series (2008) - BMW GINA Light Visionary Model (2008) - BMW
M3 Coupe (2008) - BMW 335i Coupe (Road Test) - BMW X6 (2008)
- BMW
X1 (2010) - BMW
130i M Sport (Road Test) - BMW
120i (Road Test)
- BMW
6 Series Update (2007)
- BMW
120i (Road Test)
- BMW
3 Series Convertible (2007)
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