Luxury SUVs that put the emphasis on sport may be common at all the upscale brands these days, but it was the 2003 BMW X5 that first got the formula right. Containing all the luxury amenities and endowed with the handling prowess of its sedan siblings, it provided the template for all BMW X-branded SUVs; all major European marques soon followed with their offerings.
With the X5 now offering seating for seven and the X3 about to be kicked one notch up the size and price ladder, there’s an empty slot in the lineup. Filling up the vacuum nicely is the all-new X1 compact SUV. Asian Carmakers Corporation, BMW distributor, recently launched the X1, notably ahead of other markets.
“We at ACC are very pleased to introduce the newest addition to the BMW X family. We are also very proud to say that we are the first to offer the BMW X1 in the Southeast Asian region,” according to Bobby Y. Rosales, ACC President. The U.S. version is slated to be launched in 2011, after the new X3 begins production.
The X1 thrives on three of its qualities: compact size, nimble handling, and powerful engine. In size, it checks in at 4.45 meters, about 119mm shorter than the X3. It’s based on the 3 Series touring chassis, which gives it a much more usable interior space than the 1 Series coupe or hatchback. The 3 Series platform is already proven as one of the most dynamically suberb luxury-car packages around, so that bodes well for the X1’s ride comfort and handling potential.
When it comes to the engine department, the X1 also carries sufficient hardware. In the model available at launch, officially known as BMW X1 xDrive20d (can BMW hire Quentin Tarantino to work on this), the engine is a 2.0 liter common-rail turbodiesel, good for 177 bhp. As with most diesels, the highlight is the torque, which is 350Nm starting at just 1750rpm.
Because of their similarity in size, the car has a strikingly similar stance to the current X3. The profile is boxy, with the trademark upward kick in the side glass towards the rear. There’s a chunky twin-kidney grille in front, the centerpiece of a scowling face. The lights are similar to the current styling theme seen in the new 5 Series sedans.
The interior has similar dimensions and styling as the 3 Series sedan. Materials are the familiar pebble-grained leather and soft-touch plastics, with some metallic surfaces. Options include a panoramic sunroof and iDrive interface mated to a navigation system. The rear seats can fold forward in individual sections to increase the cargo volume, from 420 to 1350 liters.
The X1 offers an alternative to those seeking 3 Series handling and driving characteristics, but want a taller driving position, and more versatility in interior configuration. The all-wheel drive hardware also adds more traction on rough roads and in wet conditions. Pricing starts at P3.89-million.
By Jason K. Ang | Photos By Manufacturer
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