The covers have been taken off the third generation of the BMW X1, the company's smallest SUV. The big news is that the line-up will be headlined by a fully-electric model, the iX1, though the range includes petrol, diesel and two plug-in hybrid options, as well. Pricing is set to start from €49,075 on the road in Ireland when the X1 goes on sale in October 2022.
Bigger outside and in
As is BMW's current design trend, it has given the X1 notably more presence than its predecessor. An enlarged - and notably square - kidney grille won't divide opinion to the same extent as the upright design found on the 4 Series, however, and it's flanked by expressive, slender new LED headlights. Elsewhere, chunky SUV-like detailing extends to the squared wheelarch design and black cladding, while roof rails and underbody protection-style bumpers add a degree of ruggedness, depending on specification.
The minimum wheel size will be 17 inches in diameter, while there will be rims of up to 20 inches also available.
On the subject of size, the new X1 is bigger in every direction than its predecessor: 53mm longer, 24mm wider and 44mm taller. The wheelbase has been stretched by 22mm while the front and rear tracks are 31mm wider than before. That should all benefit interior space. Indeed, boot volume has increased too, from 505-1,550 litres on the old X1 to 540-1,600 litres now. The iX1 and plug-in hybrid versions carry less, at 495-1,495 litres. The maximum towing weight of braked trailer is 2,000kg - though that varies by model.
Back in the cabin, the X1 looks almost identical to that of the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. That means the rotary iDrive controller is no more, though the curved display is designed to ensure that the 10.7-inch touchscreen is within easy reach. It runs BMW's latest 'Operating System 8' infotainment software with a wealth of functionality and connectivity standard across the line-up.
Split-folding rear seats are also standard, with more versatility - including tilting backrests and the ability to slide the rear bench forward and back - optional.
BMW X1 goes electric
The iX1 is likely to be of huge interest to Irish motorists looking to go electric. It will initially be offered in a single guise, called the xDrive30. As the name suggests, it will have all-wheel drive. That's thanks to an electric motor on each axle. Maximum power output is quoted as 313hp, while there's also a considerable 494Nm of torque available, enabling a 5.7-second 0-100km/h time.
Despite such immense performance, BMW quotes a consumption figure of as low as 17.3kWh/100km. Thanks to a 64.7kWh (usable) battery pack, the range is up to 438 kilometres. An 11kW AC charger is standard and it will be possible to upgrade that to 22kW, while DC rapid charging at up to 130kW will be possible.
Two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) versions of the X1 will be offered, both based on the concept of a turbocharged 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox turning the front wheels, with an electric motor on the back axle for all-wheel drive when required. Both can travel up to 89 kilometres on battery power, or at up to 140km/h, with a CO2 rating of no more than 24g/km. The X1 xDrive25e's other vital stats include 245hp and 477Nm maximums, with 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds. The X1 xDrive30e meanwhile puts out up to 326hp and 477Nm of torque for a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds.
Despite a considerable focus on electrification of the X1, BMW will continue to offer buyers petrol and diesel options. The X1 sDrive18d is the only two-wheel-drive model detailed so far, using a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine to produce up to 150hp and 360Nm of torque. Fuel consumption can be as low as 4.9 litres/100km, with CO2 emissions at 129g/km. Like all versions of the X1, it uses the seven-speed, dual-clutch 'Steptronic' automatic gearbox.
The X1 xDrive23d (with four-wheel drive as standard) uses a more powerful version of the 2.0-litre diesel engine, in conjunction with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. Combined, there's up to 211hp and 400Nm of torque available, for a 0-100km/h time of 7.4 seconds. Despite the extra performance and all-wheel drive, this model is more efficient than the sDrive18d, emitting from as low as 125g/km, with fuel consumption as low as 4.8 litres/100km.
A single petrol model will be offered in Ireland, badged X1 xDrive23i. As with its diesel sibling, it features mild-hybrid tech and all-wheel drive. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and the system's maximum outputs are quoted as 218hp and 360Nm, for a 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds. Fuel consumption starts at 6.5 litres/100km with emissions from 146g/km.
More equipment all-round
Although full Irish specifications have yet to be confirmed, it would appear that the X1 will receive a higher level of equipment than before across the range, including dual-zone climate control, navigation, reversing camera and more.
Initially, trim levels are called Sport Premier, xLine Premier, M Sport Premier, xLine Premier Pro and M Sport Premier Pro.
Irish pricing for BMW X1
As the electric iX1 and plug-in hybrids won't be available at the very start of the new X1's life, BMW Ireland has yet to confirm their pricing. It has, however, released Irish prices for the petrol and diesel models. The X1 sDrive18d (the only variant available in the entry-level Sport Premier specification) is priced from €49,075 to €61,865.
Next up is the X1 xDrive23d, costing from €58,675 in xLine Premier spec, through M Sport Premier and xLine Premier Pro to €66,055 for the M Sport Premier Pro model. The X1 xDrive23i is available in the same trim lines, from €63,085 to €69,985.