BMW is leaving nothing to chance when it comes to its line of sport/utility vehicles. Unlike other manufacturers who are cutting back even abandoning this once popular and highly profitable vehicle segment, BMW is introducing its fourth line, the X1, an SUV that is smaller, lighter and much more fuel efficient than most SUVs in its class.
By adding a fourth line of SUVs, BMW is signaling that it believes that customers are still interested in a vehicle that can get the job done on the road and, if need be, be taken off the road. Based on the same platform underpinning its 1-series line of cars, the X1 will be powered by a standard 2.0L I4 gas engine paired with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. That arrangement should help the X1 break the 30 mpg highway barrier, but it could be that a similar sized diesel engine will have the greatest appeal for customers as BMW estimates that its 2.0L diesel will achieve about 45 mpg on the highway.
Rear Or All Wheel Drive Available
Available in either rear or all-wheel-drive, the X1 seats five passengers and will take over the entry level SUV market currently occupied by the X3. For its part, the BMW X3 will be moved slightly upmarket with standard trim levels raised accordingly. The X5 and X6 round out BMW's sport utility vehicle line.
Inside, the X1 will be fully equipped with the most current navigation system offered as standard equipment along with a panoramic sun roof, leather seating treatments, first class audio system and all of the usual BMW safety features including brake assist; lane departure warning; front, side and side curtain airbags; dynamic brake control; and active head restraints. Priced from the upper 30s, a fully optioned BMW X1 will retail for about $50,000 which will be about the same price as the all new Audi Q3 its chief competitor, though slightly higher than the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Styling Shared With The X3 And X5
The exterior of the X1 borrows the same styling cues used in the X3 and X5 with the hallmark long BMW hood and unmistakable bimmer front end. Customers who have already been sold on the X3 will appreciate the X1's generous size doors as well as its huge liftgate and surprisingly abundant storage area. BMW hopes to not only to bolster its conquest sales of other brands, but encourage current bimmer devotees to consider its newest and most fuel efficient SUV line. With a diesel option being made available, the X1 will appeal to both to the customer who want the practical side of a sport utility vehicle as well as the fuel efficiency of a potent, yet economical engine.
By adding the X1 to its fleet, BMW expects that this move will help it hold off Mercedes for luxury brand supremacy while offering a good option to the Q3, which is fast gaining Audi's latest offering. Competition among the German luxury brands is fierce which means that customers win as each manufacturer seeks to outdo each other in building passenger vehicles customers really want.
