The first drive in the BMW X1 left a strange feeling: I felt like I was inside a car that doesn't exist yet. Formally, it's already assembled, but it will go into production in a different form — both the body and the interior will change, and the chassis and steering settings may be revised. It's like peeking into tomorrow: the X1 will appear on our market only in November.
In twenty years behind the wheel, I've never encountered this. Before me stood a compact crossover wrapped in film with a "khokhloma" pattern. The effect was curious: on one hand, you recognize the body contours, on the other, you can't quite describe what you see. Lines flow, shapes blur — pure surrealism.
Inside, the picture is even more interesting. The front panel of a premium car is covered with black fabric, and the door cards are wrapped in the same material. The funny white plastic around the gearshift lever turned out to be so thin that when tapped, it reminded me of a ping-pong ball. The reader is probably already puzzled: what is this nonsense? The answer is simple — before us is a pre-production sample, from which you can already judge the future car, but it's too early to draw final conclusions. For example, the front end will surely be refined — it's no coincidence that it's so carefully hidden under camouflage. The interior will also change: the instrument panel and many trim elements will be different, as BMW representatives confirmed. But the parts made of that very white plastic will most likely keep their current shape, but instead of the "ping-pong" material, they'll get an expensive and solid finish, as befits the Bavarian brand.
Now about the tech. Usually at such events they hand out press releases with figures, but here the specs were simply dictated aloud. I hope I wrote everything down correctly. So, the crossover's length is 4454 mm, which is 70 mm less than the "three", height is 1545 mm, width is 1798 mm. Wheelbase is 2076 mm, ground clearance is 194 mm. For comparison, the X3 has 9 mm more clearance.
Under the hood of the smallest Bavarian crossover will be engines already familiar from other BMW models. Initially, the lineup will include two two-liter diesels, one of which is turbocharged, and a three-liter gasoline unit with 258 hp. With it, the car accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, and the top speed is 240 km/h. Fuel consumption data is not yet available. By the way, the same engine is in the BMW 330.
On the move, the compact crossover delights. You immediately feel: even though it's small, it's a real BMW. Perfect handling, excellent dynamics, and comfort — everything the brand's models are known for. On Mallorca, where the tests took place, they organized a small route with light off-road for us, and the car passed it without any difficulty. The all-wheel drive has no mechanical differential locks, but the electronics distribute torque to the wheels in case of slippage.
Finally, I'll note: only four Russian journalists flew to Mallorca for the test of the pre-production sample, whose debut will take place only in autumn. Do you know how great the temptation was to get rid of competitors? If I were alone in Moscow, exclusive material would have been published only in my outlet. But the humanism and compassion instilled since childhood didn't allow me to stage a bloody showdown. Fine, let them write — especially since we'll have to figure out together what the BMW X1 will ultimately be like. In Russia, the new model will appear in November 2009. It's too early to talk about price, but it's already clear that the X1 will be 10–15% cheaper than the older X3. We'll live and see.
Love it — don't love it
The large turn signal repeater on the rearview mirror leaves no doubt about your intentions. Noticeable
Despite the camouflage, it's clear that the X1 will resemble its older brothers X3 and X5. Recognizable
Driving
Excellent dynamics and handling combined with superb brakes give the driver a sense of complete reliability.
Interior
The prototype's interior trim will differ significantly from the production version.
Comfort
As in other BMWs, except perhaps the roadster, comfort deserves the highest marks. Nothing to fault.
Safety
The smallest Bavarian crossover hasn't yet undergone EuroNCAP crash tests.
Price
No data.
Pros and cons
+ All the advantages inherent in BMW: dynamics, handling, comfort.
- Perhaps the final appearance of the BMW X1 will be rather dull, like its older brother X3.
Specifications
- Make and model — BMW X1
- Dimensions — 4454x1545x1798 mm
- Engine — gasoline, 258 hp
- Transmission — automatic, 6-speed gearbox
- Performance — max 240 km/h; 6.7 s to 100 km/h
- Competitors — Audi Q5, Volvo XC60.
Our opinion
In terms of interior space, the BMW X1 differs little from the X3, which may lead to internal competition between the models. Nevertheless, the Bavarian managers, apparently, are betting on attracting new customers who previously preferred other brands.