BMW X1 – An Estate for All Surfaces

Based on the 3-series the new BMW X1 mini-SUV, unveiled at last week’s motor show, promises to deliver much improved ride and handling for this class of car.

Rather than an out-and-out off-roader, the X1 is more like a cross between an estate and an SUV, with a much lower profile than you’d normally find on a typical Chelsea tractor. You have to admire BMW’s boldness when it comes to the styling, with their typical like-it or loathe-it swooping panels and deep swage lines, and some paint colour options that are highly individual (or truly awful depending on your viewpoint!).

The styling also incorporates the improved aerodynamics of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics package along with brake energy regeneration, and for the first time on the X range stop/start technology on manual transmissions.

For the UK market, the X1 is only available with 2.0 diesel engines in a choice of 18d, 20d and 23d models depending on the turbo set up. A rear-wheel drive option is offered (sDrive), as well as four-wheel drive (xDrive) with a 30:70 torque split for normal road use.

The 18d and 20d models power past 120mph and reach 62mph in around 10 secs, with just shy of 55mpg and 140g/km CO2 emissions for the rear-wheel drive models and just under 50mpg and 150g/km for the 4WD variants. The range topping 23d hits 62mph in 7.3 secs and onto 127mph whilst putting out 167g/km.

The BMW X1 is available for leasing from just £366.58 per month.