BMW BLOG

Description in Brief.
• With its agile, versatile and modern character, the BMW X1 guarantees a new driving experience in the premium compact segment. It expands and enhances the range of BMW X models by yet another innovative vehicle concept.

• Through its body design the BMW X1 demonstrates self-confident elegance, a versatile and sporting character, as well as spontaneous agility. For the first time the features and characteristics of a BMW X model are carried over in modern style into a unique vehicle in the premium compact segment.

• The interior of the BMW X1 is characterised by clear function and trendsetting, modern style. The driver orientation so typical of BMW is additionally accentuated by the forward pushing lines within the cockpit area. Sophisticated materials and natural colours accentuate the youthful and dynamic flair of the vehicle.

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One of the main concerns we had regarding the new BMW X1 was the pricing. For the new entry-level compact SAV to be successful, it was imperative that the pricing will be set accordingly to the current market conditions and most important, relevant to the other models in the BMW line-up.

BMW chose the gasoline powered X1 sDrive18i as its entry level model and set a base price of 27,200 euros. In Germany, the base price for the bigger X3 model, xDrive20i, is 35,300 euros. Going even further, the X1 xDrive18d will sell for 31,550 euros, while the X3 xDrive18d 35,550 euros.

The most expensive X1 is the all-wheel drive gasoline xDrive28i which has a base price of 41,500 euros. The top X3 model is the xDrive35d at 53,000 euros.

Bottom line is that there are no surprises here, BMW has played this safe and priced the X1 accordingly, setting it apart from the X3 line-up. When the second generation X3 will launch next year, we expect this pricing gap to become even bigger, making the X1 an even more attractive choice.

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Continuing the BMW X1 coverage and as usual, we are here for you and spend countless of hours online trying to bring you the latest BMW content. We just managed to finish uploading footage of the new BMW X1 on our Youtube channel.

The high quality videos showcase the interior and exterior design of the BMW X1, along with first drive footage and the engine bay. Since some of you asked us already about the brown exterior color, the official name is Marrakesh Brown and for now, it will only be available on the X1.

After seeing the interior video of the X1, we are again convinced that BMW has stepped up its game and their latest interior designs are up to the standards of even the most demanding customer. The X1 interior is clearly a huge step forward from the current X3 and we can even adventure to say that it is indeed more elegant than the X5.

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The next few days will all be about the BMW X1, so get ready for photos, more photos and again some photos. As expected and seen before in other releases, BMW has made available a variety of photos of the new X1, including the ones we have seen yesterday, but also new unseen shots.

Most of these photos entirely reflect the “Joy” marketing campaign that revolves around the BMW X1 and the targeted demographic is portrayed in many of them. As we said lots of times before, BMW X1 will fit into this product line as a more compact SAV aimed at a younger demographic . Professionals who dwell in projects that identify urbanism.

The BMW X1 offers a new perspective as a compact premium Sport Activity Vehicle. Not only as the first of a kind in it’s segment for the market, but vilifies the entire 1er model line as the more youth orientated BMW line.

So with these new photos, BMW is sending a clear message: this is will indeed be a joyful vehicle and there are high expectations from it.

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Beside the new official photos released today, BMW decided to delight us with some unique marketing photos of the new X1 which was unveiled earlier today. Continuing their Facebook marketing campaign, most of these photos were hosted on the BMW X1 fan page.

With the risk of being called again fanboys, we have to say that the X1 keeps growing on us. In some of these photos the X1 looks absolutely gorgeous and for once, we understand the market that BMW is aiming for.

Pricing this car below the $30,000 mark and we could see a lot of the young professionals or recent college graduates being interested in such car and why not, even those of us a little bit older could see this car as an alternative to our current ride.

In our opinion a small but powerful engine in the U.S. version of the X1 will be a winner and at 35MPG or more, many of us living in the U.S. will embrace this car. But as BMW announced, we’re still at least a year away from the X1 launch in the United States, so in the mean time, let’s enjoy these photos and envy our European friends.

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A surprise from BMW North America today: they have officially acknowledged that the BMW X1 will make its way into the American market in 2011. The initial reports were very skeptical regarding the possibility of bringing the new entry level compact SAV to the U.S., but shortly after the Paris Motor Show unveiling, more and more unofficial voices were reporting that the X1 will eventually make its way here.

The marketing for the U.S. market will start in 2010 and will debut a year later. No other details are being revealed at this time, but it seems that both the rear-wheel drive and xDrive models will be available for the American customers. While we expect the gasoline engine to be one of the options for us, we also suspect that one of the diesel offerings will come as well. In our opinion, the xDrive23d with the powerful but still fuel efficient diesel engine, will be a perfect fit for us.

As we progress in the year, expect more news or rumors to come up, but in the mean time, this is exciting news for some of us. Of course, with the launch of the new X3 next year, the BMW SAV line-up might get a bit crowded, but with a reasonable base price set, the X1 could indeed become a viable option for many BMW customers.

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