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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
A couple of BMW enthusiast sites have gotten their hands on a full set of photos of the all-new X1 small SUV that slots beneath the X3 in the Bavarian automaker's crossover range. Not surprisingly, the X1's exterior design is virtually unchanged from last year's so-called "X1 concept study". The only visible change between the two models concerns the subtly revised tail light design, but that's about it. For the first time, we also get a complete look at the X1's interior.
The X1's dashboard pretty much follows in the lines of the X3. However, as with the latest generation 7-Series, the X1's center console is slightly tilted towards the driver which is a welcome change.
Since BMW has not made the release official, we do not have the technical specs. But we do know that the X1 is based on a modified version of the 3-Series platform, and that the soft-roader is be equipped with the Bavarian firm's 'xDrive' all-wheel-drive system.
According to previous reports, the initial petrol range will include an entry-level 2.0-liter four cylinder with outputs of 143HP and 170HP and a 3.0-liter straight-six producing 265HP while the diesel lineup will consist of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit available with 143HP, 177HP and 204HP.
Roughly 110mm shorter, 60 mm narrower and 140mm lower (4.3, 5.5 and 2.4-inches. respectively) than the X3, the new X1 will be marketed as an upscale alternative to compact SUV offerings like the VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga, Toyota RAV-4 and the Honda CR-V.
The X1 will go on sale in Europe shortly after its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. North American sales are slated to begin sometime in early 2011.
