BMW X1 sDrive 2.0 (A)
expanded neatly to sit a family of four
adults comfortably for a long road trip,
while attending to a reasonable amount
of equipment-ferry requirements,
thanks to a boot space that has been
enlarged by 84 litres. Upholstery and
interior has been finished in typical
BMW standards, with a good mix of
soft plastic and leather for a lavish feel.
Buttons are ergonomically placed, along
with the rotary commander knob for
accessing the dashboard top-mounted
display, complete with the array of
BMW Connected Drive services.
Beneath structure upfront lies a
turbocharged, 2.0-litre heart that makes
a healthy 189bhp, with 280Nm of
decent torque to boot. This front-wheel
driven layout, combined with an eight-
speed Aisin-sourced transmission,
allows the X1 to leap with gusto,
hitting 100km/h from standstill in
just 7.7 seconds, before going on
to claim a top speed of 225km/h.
Designing a crossover to handle
right is no easy affair, but BMW loves
a challenge and the result is a well-
balanced car that tackles both urban and
outdoor situations with relative ease.
Although we can’t say much about its
off-roading capabilities, the X1 handlesearing the X Series
designation, the BMW
X1 can be considered
as a premium, entry
level crossover in
today’s context of compact SUVs and
crossovers. Having been around for
over five years, the outgoing X1 had
mostly played fodder in the shadows
against its slightly larger brethren, the
X3 in terms of usable practicality and
power. However, that is no longer
the case with its latest model.
Essentially wearing a proven platform
that the MINI Cooper and 2 Series Active
Tourer are built on, the X1 is now a truly
remarkable car. The X1 now neatly fuses
the looks of an enlarged hatchback with
the useful practicality of an SUV. Losing
its predecessor’s bland and overly-
angular surfaces, the new X1 exudes
an air of sporty dynamism, thanks to
its athletic stance and combination of
chiselled and creased surfaces. Visually,
the X1 is the most compact amongst its
X Series siblings, but don’t let numbers
play around with your perception of size.
The exterior is just part of the new
X1’s exciting story, with an equally
befitting interior. One such area of
concern is the interior, which has been
URBAN
X-PERIENCE
The BMX X1 proves that usable space doesn’t have to
come with large proportions
TEXT AARON HIA PICTURES COURTESY OF BMWMarch 2016 // 29