Time to add another not-quite-sure-what-segment-it-fits-into-but-it's-still-cool-and-I-think-I-want-one vehicle to the market. Sitting squarely on the heels of its Touring uncles and pulling on the coattails of its older siblings, the brand new 2012 BMW X1 xDrive28i is the Bavarian giant's latest entry into the compact SAV (that would be Sport Activity Vehicle) segment.
Meaning, it's taller than a sedan, but smaller than an SUV, and not quite a wagon (because that's a dirty word in North America, apparently); it's just somewhere in between. And let's be honest: It's damn sexy and I don't care what market segment you throw it into.
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| The brand new 2012 BMW X1 xDrive28i is the Bavarian giant's latest entry into the compact SAV (that would be Sport Activity Vehicle) segment. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone/Auto123..com) |
Labelling the X1 their “Conquest Vehicle,” BMW has plans to sway buyers of the non-premium SAV/SUV market over to the blue, white and black side with this nifty little number that seems to be fitting into their stables just fine. Where the
5 Series GT is still wiggling in and the X6 just pushed in with brute force, the X1 seems to be mingling quite well with the others and is set to make a great addition to the BMW family. Potentially bringing in a whole new slew of buyers, BMW predicts the X1 will account for 10% of their sales in the coming year.
Why is that?
Well, for starters the X1 has a brand new engine. The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder TwinPower turbo-powered engine is only offered in the X1 (for now) and is causing quite a stir. Lighter than the previous-gen engine (the N52 2.5L I6), more fuel-efficient and more powerful (241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque), this baby has some serious appeal under the hood. Equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the X1 xDrive28i offers a smooth ride that's both responsive and efficient. Speaking of efficient,
BMW's EfficientDynamics is also present with Brake Energy Regeneration.
Secondly, the X1 is “compact”. It seems that buyers everywhere are experiencing a bit of a love affair with smaller vehicles. From hot hatches to compact CUVs and microminis, manufacturers are taking the small-car plunge, and BMW is no exception.
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| The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder TwinPower turbo-powered engine is only offered in the X1 (for now) and is causing quite a stir. (Photo: BMW) |
