BMW X1 ready for U.S. introduction, debuts at New York auto show

BMW revealed a facelifted version of the X1 on Wednesday at the New York auto show. The refreshed model, boasting light changes to its exterior and interior styling, will be used by the German carmaker to introduce the junior SUV to the North American market, increasing its range of dedicated SUV models to four, including the larger X3, X5 and X6.

Two versions of the X1 are initially planned for U.S. sale: a rear-wheel-drive X1 xDrive 28i running a 245-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine and an all-wheel-drive X1 xDrive 35i with a 306-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder powerplant.

Both come standard with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with the xDrive 28i receiving a standard stop/start system. Other BMW EfficientDynamics functions used by the X1 models for North America include brake-energy recuperation, electric power steering and an on-demand system that only sees the engine ancillaries -- such as the water pump and the oil pump -- operate when required, placing less strain on the engine and leading to lower fuel consumption.  

Two and a half years after it was first revealed in production trim at the 2009 Paris motor show, the X1 gets a host of subtle styling modifications in a move that rids it of inexpensive-looking black-plastic cladding and attempts to give it a more upmarket appearance in the United States.

Changes include the adoption of a more heavily contoured front bumper with an altered grille featuring silver slats, more pronounced sockets for the round fog lamps and a completely redesigned lower section finished with a silver section that aims to lighten the assembly visually.

The headlamps retain the same familiar shape as those used on the existing X1 but get fresh internal graphics, including LED corona-ring main beam lights as part of an optional Xenon package. Further back, there are reshaped exterior-mirror housings carrying side repeater lights and more defined sills underneath the doors.

The rear receives a restyled bumper, which like that up front was lightened visually by the adoption of more body-colored surfaces and a larger silver scrub-plate element.

Inside, the X1 adopts a lightly reworked center console, high-gloss air vents and a new range of optional trim elements.

The X1 is produced at BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany alongside the 1- and 3-series vehicles.

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