SCOOP! BMW is doing a take-2 with X1 – get South Africa’s model, prices+specs right here

The take-2 generation of BMW X1 sees the brand’s most compact X model turn into a more familial design, slotting in more comfortably next to X3 and X5. The new BMW X1 models, prices and specs for South Africa can be found below.

First X1 was innovative and right for its time

The previous X1, as the smallest and youngest member of the popular BMW X model range, was the first compact cross-over premium. It was launched locally in April 2010.

As BMW 3 Series Touring owners migrated from their 3 Series estate cars to SUV land, the BMW X1 made itself the obvious next car. Other buyers who also moved into a cross-over / small SUV and want the esteem of a premium brand such as BMW had this as 1st choice.

Building on previous BMW X1 sales success

Part of the sales success, with some 730 000 sold in the world, was its good size and price positioning. The BMW X1 drove like an estate car, keeping its positive attributes, and was affordable in size and price.

To the new car… how is new BMW X1 different?

The first obvious change is the appearance – the first BMW X1 looked skinny and just-not-right in side profile (a popular criticism against the first X1) so the new X1 is much more fleshed out.  Parked in a line-up next to X3 and X5, the X1 looked like the odd one out. Now, the X1 fits in well as a more self-confident fully-fledged member.

Even BMW dealers, who were once proud of their creative new X1 baby X-er, later, upon seeing the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, felt they need a newer more competitive better-looking product. Now they have it. The new X1 has grown notably in height, by +53mm, which in itself makes the car much more attractive, both to look at and to buy.

Under the skin, the new X1 now brings up the rear, as the final range of BMWs to get a full line-up of turbo engines. The choice is of a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol in two states of tune for the 20i (141kW and 280Nm) while the 25i uses an uprated version (170kW and 350Nm). The diesel turbo option is the 20d which gives 140kW and 400Nm.

The full BMW EfficientDynamics package in the new BMW X1 also ensure optimum fuel efficiency, while retaining a dynamic driving experience.

Many of the latest high-tech BMW equipment and options will be offered in new X1, for example Driving Assistant Plus which features active cruise control with stop&go function, and items like head-up display. SOS call will now also be standard.

Boot capacity of 505 litres represents an 85-litre improvement on the first-generation X1, and can be increased further to 1550 litres by folding down the standard 40:20:40-split rear seat, adding more utility.

All local BMW X1 will be fitted with only the perfect 8-speed automatic.

Local models and prices

Launch prices, excluding emissions tax:

BMW X1 sDrive20i	R 492 000
BMW X1 xDrive20i	R 539 500
BMW X1 xDrive20d	R 557 500
BMW X1 xDrive25i	R 602 500

    
Packages of Sport Line, xLine and M Sport are also available.

We reviewed the previous BMW X1 at this link, asking “Is X1 still one of a kind?”