The X factor BMW

For decades, BMW has been synonymous with fine sedans, coupes and convertibles. In fact, their cars often set the benchmark in terms of handling and performance. Over the past 10 years, BMW, along with other German manufacturers, has continued to develop new categories of vehicles to help expand their brand. For example, crossover vehicles have been a huge success, and BMW was instrumental in developing luxury crossovers with the first X5. The company also pioneered the compact crossover with the X3, and now they’ve opened another new and smaller crossover segment with the X1. Based on the 3 Series wagon platform, this more rugged approach seems to be the trend in the marketplace.Wagons just don’t have the kind of curb appeal that they enjoy in other parts of the world, especially Europe. Europeans know that a wagon offers the cargo capability that many crossovers offer but they retain the driving characteristics of a sedan. Instead of selling very limited numbers of wagons in North America, the X1 is a perfect solution for BMW. It has the rugged crossover looks and all-wheel-drive that appeals to many buyers. BMW has tried to make the X1 look a bit more macho, but from
some angles it looks a bit awkward. The steep front grille and bumper make the nose look heavy and the back looks most like a wagon. The advantage over the 3 Series wagon is the higher roofline for bigger windows and slightly higher ride height for better outward visibility. One selling point with the 3 Series wagon is the ample cargo, but the X1 has a surprising amount of space, too. The back hatch takes a bit of effort to close and there is no power liftgate available.The inside of the X1 is very similar to the 3 Series with high-quality materials but a rather simple design. There is no room for a second cup holder in the console, so they have one that clips onto the side of the centre console protruding into the passenger’s space, which is a bit cheap looking. The back seat of the X1 splits and folds for more cargo capability, while the rear seats recline slightly for more comfort. This is a small crossover so don’t get too excited about space: Two adults fit into the back seats, but there isn’t room to stretch out. The X1 is perfect for a young couple or empty nesters, but a young family will be better served in the larger X3. It is interesting to note that the X1 has a starting price of $38,500, which is exactly $10,000 less than the AWD 3 Series wagon, the vehicle this car is based on. For now there is only one X1 trim, the X1 28i.The smaller X1 has a very nice balance of handling and comfort. Bumps get soaked up with ease, but the driver feels very connected. I should point out that the X1 featured here does not have the sport package with bigger wheels and stiffer suspension, so it is imperative to drive one with sport package and one without to see if the stiffer ride is palatable. Even with the smaller wheels and less aggressive suspension, the steering feel is overly heavy to the point of distraction. There is no in-line six-cylinder available in the X1.What this vehicle does have is the all-new 2.0-litre, direct-injection. turbocharged four-cylinder that will be implemented in many new BMWs in the year to come. What an engine. It pulls like a six-cylinder with a run to 100 km/h taking just 6.7 seconds. That’s 0.4 seconds faster than the base model X3. Both the X1 and X3 come with an all-new eight-speed automatic. The engineit pulls well from all speeds thanks to 241 hp and 258 lbs.-ft of torque available at just 1,250 rpm.Good:
The X1 with the new four-cylinder gets a combined city and highway fuel rating of 8.5 L/100 km.
The rear hatch is too hard to pull down and the steering is too heavy.The fact that I have seen so many new X1’s on the road already confirms that this new, smaller crossover is going to be a hit. The 3 Series wagon is an excellent car and a perfect platform for this very agile and fun-to-drive crossover. It is always amusing to me that image is so vital to a vehicle’s success. Just like the Subaru Outback, which is also based on a station wagon, the visual effect of a crossover is so much more attractive to people. Subaru has since ditched their Legacy wagon and are just selling the Outback. This might also be the fate of the 3 Series wagon, especially since it is so much more expensive than the X1. With its all-wheel-drive system, taller body and more rugged looks, the X1 is going to open the BMW brand to even more people.