2010 BMW X1 Caught Undisguised During Photo Shoot!

So much for BMW's attempts to keep the forthcoming X1 model under covers during testing. A member of the French 'Forum-Auto' website captured the Bavarian automaker's small SUV completely undisguised in what appears to be a commercial photo / video shoot somewhere in Europe. Not surprisingly, the production version is virtually identical to last year's so-called X1 Concept with only a few minor visible differences that include the retrimmed grille and aluminum rocker panels.

The new X1 SUV is scheduled to make its world premiere at this autumn's Frankfurt Motor Show in September with the first cars arriving at BMW's dealerships by the end of the year.

Powertrain options will include numerous four-cylinder and straight-six diesel and gasoline engines and while not confirmed, it is said that the X1 may be offered in both rear- and all-wheel drive versions. Read more about the production X1 in our previous post here that also includes the latest spy shots of the car.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

BMW X1 SUV Sheds its Camouflage in new Spy Shots

Carscoop's spy photographers have been working overtime lately managing to capture not one but two prototypes of the new BMW X1 small SUV - Crossover during development testing in and around the Nurburgring. In these latest scoops, BMW's forthcoming VW Tiguan and Toyota RAV-4 rival has lost most of its camouflage giving us a better view of the vehicle's design. As you can see in the photos, with the exception of a few minor details such as the absence of the aluminum skid trays and decorative rocker panels, the production model is almost identical to last year's Paris Show concept study.

This means that the X1 retains the concept's concave body surfacing and fussy detailing as well as the oversize kidney grilles inspired from the new 7-Series. In terms of size, the X1 is slightly smaller than the X3 measuring in at just under 4,500 mm or 175-in length, or around 112 mm (4.4-in.) shorter than its big brother which stands at 4,569 mm or 179-in. However, keep in mind that the next generation X3 will grow in size.

Beneath the sheetmetal, the X1 shares its underpinnings with the four-wheel-drive version of the BMW 3-series, though it has been rumored that BMW may offer rear-wheel drive versions of the SUV bearing the 'sDrive' moniker wheras the AWD variants will get the xDrive nameplate.

When the X1 goes on sale in Europe at the end of the year (there's no word yet on when and if North America will get the X1), it will be offered with a handful of gasoline and diesel powertrains.

The petrol range will include an entry-level 2.0-liter four-pot with 143 and 170HP along with the 3.0-liter straight-six units producing up to 265HP. Europeans will most likely be more interested in the diesel line-up that will consist of 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines delivering between 143 and 204HP and six-cylinder units with up to 245HP.

And how about an X1M version, since BMW has already introduced its first ever 'M' crossovers with the X5M and X6M? We have no information whatsoever on a possible M variant of the X1, and to be frank, we seriously doubt that the Bavarian automaker will consider developing such a model for its small crossover.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

My Two Dents on BMW's Fuzzy Logic Model Range

BMW's latest releases are a Family Guy episode on four wheels. If anyone has seen the episode of South Park parodying Family Guy's plot developments, you'll know what I mean; it's manatees in a tank fetching random idea balls and throwing them together. The manufacturer of vehicles touted as the "Ultimate Driving Machine" has gone off the deep end. People thought Mercedes was doing the same when they made the CLS for style-conscious consumers; Mercedes had the last laugh, though, walking away having created a totally new market. Will BMW have the same success? Me thinks not.

BMW, in a poor attempt to emulate Mercedes, has strayed from the beaten path in an attempt to capitalize on original ideas. The last few attempts by the Bavarians make me wonder exactly how much money they have in order to waste so much on ugly, redundant products in these trying times.

Take, for example their sport utility (oh, I'm sorry, activity) lineup. God forbid buyers confuse these vehicles with something having utility. Other than the X5, these vehicles are highly questionable. Large and midsize SAVs; ok, I understand these markets exist. "Slightly-smaller-than-midsize" and "coupe"; you lost me.

While the X5 and X3 move up in size, apparently a "slightly smaller than midsize" SAV is needed to fill the gap left by the hardly successful X3. The upcoming X1 (basically a less manly version of the X3, if that's possible) is a "Sport Activity Vehicle in the premium compact segment". Jesus, now they're just making things up. Premium Compact Sport Activity Vehicles? Let's just call it what it is: pointless, and fugly to boot.

What about the X6? It's a Sports Activity Coupe. That doesn't even start to make sense, considering the fact that it's a four-door SUV. What do you get for your $55,900 entry price? Room for four, minimal cargo space, and a cramping roofline, not to mention one ugly mother. What's worse, Acura (in yet another attempt to reach top-tier status) has decided to copy it. I'll chalk that one up as a wasted effort, guys.

What is the X6's purpose? Well, no doubt it'll do a great job of rubbing pointless excess in everyone's face, but that's about all. I recall one commenter on the web thanking BMW for creating a new class of douche with the X6. Nail on the head, sir, nail on the head.

And BMW's cars? Well, time was BMW sedans could do no wrong. Alas, ladies and gentlemen, you must not have noticed the latest eyesore brought about by dropping the X6 a few centimeters: the 5-Series GT. The only nifty part about the whole shebang is the rear hatch; that's where it ends. The GT is apparently targeting the three people who want a sedan with just a little bit more space, but who don't want to go all out for the wagon for fear they might appear too practical.

All is not lost, though. At least most of the cars and car concepts in BMW's future look promising. The 7 has gotten some of its elegance back and the new Z4 is a looker. Then we have the latest rumor of the Z2, which makes green look damn sexy. If BMW keeps up with ideas like this, perhaps I can look past the absurdity of their utility-lacking activity vehicles.

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel since he was a wee lad. He currently resides a stone's throw from Japan's international airport in Narita. All of this can be seen on Facebook, so check it out. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded.

Driving the BMW X1

BMW X1

One look at BMW’s hot, new X1 and I was hooked. I’ve always been partial to cars with their lower center of gravity and resultant more engaging driving dynamics. Still, with three fast-growing children and our unfortunately less-than-perfect roads, I sometimes hanker for the packaging versatility and go-anywhere capability of an SUV.

I’m sure a lot of people find themselves in this quandary, as can be seen by the growing number of so-called “crossovers” – vehicles that combine the attributes (and body styles) of a car with that of an SUV or a minivan.

The Mitsubishi Outlander and Subaru Outback are prime examples (the latter’s Forester used to be perfect embodiment of a crossover, but the latest model has evolved more into a bonafide compact SUV).

From any angle, the BMW X1 looks more like a bulked-up 1-series 5-door hatch than its X3 (slightly) bigger brother. It’s about four inches shorter, two inches lower and almost five inches narrower than the X3 (or for a more common comparison, three inches shorter, an inch narrower, and a whopping five inches lower than a Honda CR-V). The X1’s huge, gaping twin kidney grilles hark to the angry snout of the Z4, again tying it to its Bavarian car heritage.

Even with my chocolate brown (officially called Marrakesh Brown) model’s black highlights, BMW stylists painted the lower horizontal edge of the front bumper a striking silver in the best touring car racing tradition.