By Staff Reporter

Hot on the heels of announcing an all new BMW 1 Series, BMW has announced a refreshed BMW X1. The highlight includes the announcement of a plug-in hybrid BMW X1 xDrive25e that will enter production in 2020.

Outside the new X1 there is a larger BMW grille with the kidneys now merging in the centre and linking up with new Adaptive LED headlights and a bumper with integrated LED fog lamps, and larger air intakes. The rear end of the X1 also features new stylistic changes. For example, the new inlay in the body-colour rear apron adopts the car’s main body colour. This new feature is included as standard.

Trickery? Another highlight can be found on the driver’s-side exterior mirror, which projects a two-tone LED “X1” image when the car is unlocked. BMW says this is far from just a visual trick; it also makes getting into and out of the BMW X1 that much easier.

BMW says it has given each of the model variants – from the base BMW X1 to xLine, Sport Line and M Sport – a standalone visual presence tailored precisely to its character profile. The BMW X1 M will stand out the most with M Sport suspension, BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line trim with extended features and the M Aerodynamics package.

Inside one of the highlights of the BMW X1 interior is the Control Display. A centrally mounted 6.5-inch screen is included as standard. If the optional navigation system is chosen, either an 8.8-inch or the new 10.25-inch Touch Control Display – which can be operated using the BMW iDrive Controller, voice control or touchscreen technology – comes as part of the package. Adding to the quality of the interior will be the new contrast stitching on the instrument panel, which is black on its upper section and adopts the colour of the interior upholstery lower down. The contrast stitching is available for the xLine, Sport Line and M Sport models. In these variants of the X1, the floor mats also gain coloured edging and contrast stitching for the edging. The BMW X1 can also be ordered with a choice of three new upholstery variants.

Firing the line-up will be three and four cylinder petrol and diesel engines. BMW X1 sDrive16d, available with either a manual six-speed gearbox or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, will make 85 kW of power and 270 Nm of torque. The BMW X1 xDrive25d will kick out maximum power output of 170 kW and torque of 450 Nm, and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds. The top-performing BMW X1 xDrive25i will see its 170 kW engine teams up with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission to propel the car from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds.

Rounding up the range will be the hybrid BMW X1 xDrive25e which will be fitted with the latest, fourth-generation BMW battery technology, which gives the battery a gross energy content of 9.7 kWh. As a result, the plug-in-hybrid BMW X1 can cover more than 50 km on electric power alone. Again, this model is due to enter production 2020.

Globally, the updated BMW X1 line-up now comprises 16 engine/transmission combinations. Local engines, specifications and pricing will be confirmed in due course.

The new X1 will be available in South Africa from September 2019.