At a glance:
• Available at first with 228-hp, four-cylinder turbo engine, eight-speed Steptronic, and xDrive.
• More cargo space, headroom, interior room.
• More connected, especially with optional equipment.
BMW has announced the all-new BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle. This may be the second-generation edition of BMW’s smallest Sports Activity Vehicle, but it is substantially larger inside, much more efficient, and offers a higher level of technology and connectivity than its predecessor.
The BMW X1 xDrive28i will be the exclusive model in the U.S. at launch and features a two-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine from BMW’s new family of modular engines. With 228 horsepower, the new BMW X1 is the most powerful entry model in its market segment. Power is delivered through an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission to an efficiency-optimized version of BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. A new chassis technology is designed to enhance handling and ride comfort. The new BMW X1 boasts increased cargo area, greater interior room, and more headroom
The 2016 BMW X1 xDrive28i should show up in U.S. dealerships this fall.
Greatest interior roominess and versatility in its class
The BMW X1 is bigger inside. Power seats are standard and the front seating positions are more than one inch higher in the front and more than 2.5 inches higher in the rear than the original X1. Rear passengers have 1.5 more inches of legroom; up to 2.6 more inches with the optional adjustable rear seats.
The driver’s cockpit is typical BMW, with the instrument panel and center console controls angled toward the driver.
The rear seatback has a utilitarian 40:20:40 split. With the optional sliding and reclining rear seat, individual elements can slide forward or back by up to five inches. The optional seats allow the rear-seat backrest to tilt from one to 31 degrees, and may be automatically folded completely using a button in the cargo area. Speaking of cargo, space has been increased by 15 percent over the new X1’s predecessor.
Vehicles equipped with Comfort Access also have a hands-free tailgate opening and closing function.
The 2016 BMW X1 will be available in two non-metallic and nine metallic exterior paint colors. X1s with the M Sport Package also have the option of Estoril Blue metallic.
The M Sport package will be available later this year, and can be had with an eight-speed Sport Automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on an M Steering Wheel, an M Sport suspension, and Sport Seats.
A panoramic moonroof is optional and larger than the first X1’s.
Standard equipment includes front fog-lamps, an alarm with remote-controlled central locking and keyless engine ignition, electric window controls, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, a multifunction leather steering wheel adjustable for height and reach, a rain sensor including automatic headlight control, and Dynamic Cruise Control.
Commanding presence, robust proportions, dynamic lines
The new BMW X1 stands 1.7 inches taller than the previous X1. Front lighting looks like the traditional BMW quad headlight layout, but LED daytime running lights are now standard, and full LED headlights are available with the Premium Package.
Flared wheel arches and lines converge in an X-shape into the kidney grille. Black borders on the lower edge of the body, the square contour of the wheel cutouts, and the volume of the surfaces above them are designed to make the smallest BMW SAV look beefy, and it works. The center of the new BMW X1’s rear apron rises up significantly, the flat outline emphasizes the width of the rear end, and the vertically arranged black aeroblades mirror the roof spoiler.
The new X1 rides on 18-inch run-flat all-season tires, although non-run-flat all seasons and a space saver spare are available as a no-cost option for the first time. Another option is 19-inch run-flat performance tires.
Other standard interior features include power front seats with driver-side memory, Anthracite headliner, storage package, and multifunction sport leather steering wheel. Standard equipment for the new BMW X1 also includes an all-new SensaTec seat surface available in both Black and Canberra Beige and a Black high-gloss interior trim with Pearl chrome accent strips. Perforated Dakota leather trim is available in Black, Canberra Beige, Mocha, and Oyster as are interior Brushed Aluminum and fine-wood matte Oak Grain and Fineline Stream interior trims.
The standard sound system incorporates seven speakers. The optional Harman Kardon HiFi system comes with twelve speakers and a digital amplifier with 360-watt output.
Highest power in it’s class
The BMW X1 xDrive28i features BMW’s new modular BMW EfficientDynamics engine, a two-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder unit with a TwinScroll turbocharger, High Precision Injection, Valvetronic fully variable valve lift, and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. With 228 hp at 5,000 rpm, it has the highest power output in the entry model class. Peak torque of 258 pound-feet is available between 1,250 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The new X1 accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Emission output is 152–49 grams per kilometer (in the EU test cycle, depending on the tire format specified). U.S. EPA mileage estimates will be available closer to launch.
xDrive intelligent all- wheel-drive system
The compact, lighter-weight, and efficient all-wheel-drive system distributes the engine’s power between the front and rear axle as the situation requires, all the time. In conjunction with DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), xDrive acts preemptively to counteract oversteer or understeer.
Sophisticated chassis technology
The F48 BMW X1 gets a whole new chassis. The wheel hubs are aluminum, and the axle carriers and control arms are made from high-tensile steel. This reduces weight and makes the front axle more rigid, which helps turn-in and direction changes. The rear axle also uses a significant percentage of high-tensile steel.
Tube-shaped anti-roll bars at the front and rear axle, innovative axle mounting, and specially tuned elastokinematics make the X1 more agile while also contributing to ride comfort, as do the connection of the dampers to the body via three-way support mounts.
The 2016 BMW X1 gets standard Servotronic speed-sensitive steering assistance. The system requires less effort for low-speed parking and turning, while at higher speeds, the effort is increased enough to help the driver with straight-line stability.
The Driving Dynamic Control switch on the center console lets the driver choose between sport, comfort, or efficient. Calling up Comfort, Sport, or Eco Pro adapts the responses of the accelerator and steering. Shift characteristics of the automatic transmission are also adjusted if the optional equipment is installed.
The Dynamic Stability Control stability system includes features such as the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Brake Assist system, Brake Fade Compensation, Brake Drying Braking, and Start-Off Assistant and Performance Control. When DSC is deactivated, an electronic locking function for the front axle differential—known as Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC)—is activated. In tight corners the system brakes a spinning wheel as required and ensures power is diverted to the other wheel.
Optimized exterior design
The new BMW X1 has smooth underbody paneling, air deflectors on the front wheel arches, and vertical aeroblades, which form a unit with the roof spoiler to channel the airflow around the rear of the car. The Air Curtains integrated into the outer air intakes channel the onrushing air behind the front fenders causing it to “hang over the wheels like a curtain” and thus reduce turbulence.
Engine, gearbox and BMW xDrive: lower weight, improved efficiency
The 228-horsepower B46 engine with TwinScroll turbocharger incorporates an aluminum crankcase and cylinder head, forged steel crankshafts with an integrated balance shaft drive, low-weight pistons, forged connecting rods, friction-reduced cylinder coatings, and map-controlled oil pumps. It also comes with the most recently updated generation of Valvetronic.
The new eight-speed Steptronic transmission is lighter and more efficient. The reduced converter slip of the new automatic transmission cuts energy losses, and its wider gear spread keeps revs lower at higher vehicle speeds, which helps reduce emissions.
The BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system in the new BMW X1 is also considerably lighter. Powertrain losses are said to be reduced by 30 percent in normal driving situations.
Intelligent energy management, ECO PRO mode with coasting function
The BMW EfficientDynamics technology used in the new BMW X1 includes intelligent energy management. Brake Energy Regeneration provides efficient power generation for the on-board power supply. The Electric Power Steering and on-demand fuel and coolant pumps work to reduce the load on the engine.
Eco Pro mode, which can be activated using the Driving Dynamics Control switch, allows drivers to use the coasting function. With Eco Pro, at speeds between 30 and 100 mph, the powertrain is disengaged when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator.
BMW EfficientLightweight technology
BMW EfficientLightweight is the new term used to describe the enhanced functional effectiveness of all powertrain components, intelligent energy management, BMW Lightweight technology, and measures designed to optimize aerodynamics. For example, hot-stamped, high- and ultra-high tensile steel reduces the X1’s weight but at the same time improves torsional rigidity and strength. Further weight reduction is achieved by installing aluminum hoods, bumper supports, and wheel hubs, and by using tube-shaped anti-roll bars, output shafts, and damper piston rods.
BMW ConnectedDrive: Progress through intelligent connectivity
The second generation BMW X1 has more connectivity than the previous model, including an optional Head-Up Display, the high-resolution 8.8-inch Control Display with touchpad controller, BMW Online, BMW Apps, Remote Services, and Advanced Real-time Traffic Information.
Technology Package including BMW Head-Up Display
The Navigation option assists route guidance on the standard Control Display with direction arrows and sophisticated map graphics, including views from various angles. With the standard multifunction steering wheel, users may also enter destinations by voice command. The Navigation system includes a larger 8.8-inch Control Display, an instrument cluster with extended features including a split-screen function, and the BMW Head-Up Display. Instructions—including lane recommendations—may be shown in the instrument cluster’s TFT display or projected onto the windshield.
Driver Assistance Plus
Safety in the new BMW X1 is enhanced through the use of camera-based assistance systems. The Driver Assistance Plus package includes Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Info, Automatic High Beams, and Frontal Collision Warning with Pedestrian Warning and City Collision Mitigation. Opting for the Driver Assistance Plus package brings the Active Cruise Control system with Stop & Go function. Park Distance Control and the Rear-View Camera come with the Driver Assistance Package, as does the Parking Assistant, which helps the driver to locate and park in parallel parking spaces.
BMW ConnectedDrive Services and apps
Users may access the BMW Online Internet portal via the vehicle’s built-in SIM card, if the X1 has the ConnectedDrive Services and smartphone integration options. Standard features also include BMW Assist eCall and BMW Teleservices. Web radio and social media apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Life 360, iHeartRadio, and many others enhance the infotainment options users may access using their smartphones.
X1 owners may access the new BMW ConnectedDrive Store at home or in the vehicle to purchase Internet access and other functions, which will then become available in the X1 within a few minutes.
Pricing will be announced closer to launch.
It's always interesting to see what a car company learns from the first iteration of any model. As it launches its second-generation X1, it appears BMW has learned to make it roomier and more powerful, while stuffing it with all the relatively affordable connectivity and infotainment options it can muster. Given the market segment for which the X1 is intended, those are probably good things.—Scott Blazey
[Photos and selected passages courtesy of BMW of North America.]
Body
Seats: 5
Number of Doors: 4
Vehicle length: 175.4 inches
Vehicle width: 71.7 inches
Width including mirrors: 81.1 inches
Vehicle height: 62.5 inches
Wheelbase: 105.1 inches
Overhang front: 33.8 inches
Overhang rear: 36.5 inches
Ground clearance: 7.2 inches
Turning radius: 37.4 feet
Track front: 61.5 inches
Track rear: 61.6 inches
Legroom front: 40.4 inches
Legroom 2nd row: 37 inches
Shoulder room front: 55.6 inches
Shoulder room 2nd row: 55.2 inches
Headroom front: 41.9 inches
Maximum headroom 2nd row: 39.4 inches
Headroom front with Sunroof: 40.4 inches
Rear Seat Volume: 54.5 cubic feet
Luggage volume [V211-2]: 17.8–54.7 cubic feet
Trunk volume (SAE): 27.1–58.7 cubic feet
U.S. Tank capacity: 16.1 gallons
Curb weight: 3,660 pounds
Gross weight: 4,720 pounds
Payload: 900 pounds
Engine:
B46 Inline four cylinder, four valves per cylinder, BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with turbocharger
Stroke: 94.6 mm
Bore: 82 mm
Displacement: 1998 cubic centimeters
Compression rate: 10.2
Engine power: 228 bhp @5,000 rpm
Engine torque: 258 pound-feet @1,250 rpm
Emission classification: SULEV
Transmission type: Aisin F22
Gear ratio 1st: 5.25: 1
Gear ratio 2nd: 3.03: 1
Gear ratio 3rd: 1.95: 1
Gear ratio 4th: 1.46: 1
Gear ratio 5th: 1.22: 1
Gear ratio 6th: 1.00: 1
Gear ratio 7th: 0.81: 1
Gear ratio 8th: 0.67: 1
Gear ratio Reverse: 4.02: 1
Final drive ratio: 3.20: 1
Performance
Top speed: 130 mph
Top speed optional: 143 mph
0–60 mph: 6.3 seconds
Suspension type front: 1-link drive suspension strut axle
Rear suspension: central pivot axle
Steering type: rack and pinion
Power-steering: EPS
Steering transmission, overall: 15.7:1
Front brake: disc ventilated
Rear brake: disc ventilated
Front and rear tires: 225/50 R18 99W XL
Front and rear wheels: 7.5J x 18 LM
Run-flat tires: Yes
Cx: 0.31
Generator amperage: 150 amps
Alternator output: 2100 watts
Battery Capacity (low voltage): 80 amp-hours
System voltage (low voltage): 12 volts
