“Oh, this would be perfect for so-and-so…”. “Hmm, I wouldn’t mind having one of these”. “Gee, this car looks great in white”. By the time the mind of an experienced motoring journalist begins to entertain such thoughts during a new vehicle launch, it usually is quite a significant development. You’ve crossed over. At that point you are no longer an objective journalist, but a wishful potential buyer intoxicated by the smell of new leather and blissfully oblivious to financial ruin. Meet the BMW X1.
It’s quite a frustrating position, to be completely honest. I could be super critical of the X1 in order to mask my affinity for Munich’s newcomer, but that won’t stop the baby X from selling like hot cakes. BMW communication manager Guy Kilfoil openly admitted that if you ordered an X1, you wouldn’t be able to take delivery for four months from the launch date. The first batch is already sold out, naturally. But it’s a neutral appraisal that’s required here, so brace yourselves…
Although the X1 may look a little awkward, even slightly dumpy, in photographs, especially by virtue of its aggressively styled blunt nose and high roofline, the latest addition of BMW’s X model line-up certainly has a cohesive and well-proportioned design. The rear end is especially pert and features neat little L-shape tail light clusters. The shoulder line swoops gracefully from just below the Hoffmeister kink down to the base of the front wheel arch, and the front end – with its large kidney grille and “inverted tear duct” pockets under the headlamps, has just the right dose of attitude. Personally, the optional X Line trim, which adds satin-coloured running board detailing, aluminium roof rails and similar-coloured accents to the bumpers, is too flashy for my taste, but I am sure there are a throngs of yummy mummies and buppies who’ll disagree with me.
The X1 isn’t based on the 1 Series, as many may believe. It shares the One’s suspension architecture, but is actually built on the 3 Series Touring’s platform. As a result, the interior is comparatively spacious, and the airy feel of the cabin is enhanced by the panaromic sunroof (a R14 300 option) and generous headroom. The interior build quality of the X1 is certainly a cut above that of the 1 Series; there are soft-touch materials all around, and the leather upholstery (standard on the xDrive models, but not the rear-wheel drive Sdrive models) is suitably grand. To temper the flattering “baby X5” impression, I found the rear legroom is a little tight at the back, but headroom is plentiful and the rear bench can accommodate two adults in relative comfort. The angle of the rear backrest, which splits 40/20/40, can be adjusted manually, and BMW claims luggage capacity of 420 to a maximum 1 350 dm3, which is fair enough, given the absence of a spare wheel.
The most impressive aspect of the X1, however, is its on-road dynamism. The ride quality, aided by the new-generation Goodyear EfficientGrip run-flat tyres fitted to the range, was admirably refined and despite the added ride height, the Beemer didn’t roll about very much in the twisties. In fact, the X1’s handling prowess would have done any wieldy compact car proud, even though you could feel the odd road imperfection translate through the rim of the steering wheel. I was also glad to spend the majority of the recent press launch behind the wheel of the single-turbo 2,0-litre diesel-engined xDrive model, as I believe it will account for most of the sales, especially considering that the pokey xDrive23d, with its 500 N.m-churning twin-turbodiesel, can cost anything between R470 000 to R491 000, which is rather dear.
In fact, I believe the two-wheel drive sDrive20d is perhaps the pick of the range… although you’ll probably be inclined to spec it up with a few extras and part with about R400 000 to R420 000 (six-speed automatic) to park it in your garage.
As it happened, I drove a xDrive20d automatic with the Innovations package, which offers a navigation system but the iDrive controller comes at the cost of one of the two front cupholders! The two-litre engine delivers a workmanlike performance in cut out in cut and thrust driving conditions and I found myself using the throttle pedal quite liberally. However, apart from the slightly thrummy engine note at cruising speeds, the powerplant and transmission combination deliver deceptively brisk acceleration if you happen to keep your foot buried beyond cruising speeds.
The xDrive got a decent workout on the minor slopes of Table Mountain, where the xDrive20d traversed moderately-course gravel roads with little trauma to the underbelly (we were cautioned not to exceed 30 km/h, it needs to be noted). Should you ever need to utilise the BMW’s version of the (standard) descent control system, it works quite nicely.
In conclusion, the X1 is an impressive premium compact SUV (arguably the first of a new breed) and it comes, as one might expect, with a premium price tag. Having said that, BMW has scored a winning goal (come on, it’s a World Cup year) by offering a two-wheel drive option, which offers savings in terms of purchase price and smaller fuel bills. Think about it, most of these delectable X1s will hardly ever see a dirt road… Who needs permanent four-wheel drive, anyway?
Look out for a full road test in an upcoming issue of CAR magazine. Click on the Documents tab above to download the BMW X1 prices and specification sheet as supplied to the media on April 15 2010.
Click here to download wallpapers of the BMW X1
