Baby BMW has X factor

Oct 26 2009 Bruce Booth

IT had to be just a matter of time before BMW broke new ground by adding a compact model to their successful X range.

A decade after the introduction of the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle as the German marque pigeonholed their practical four-wheel-drive machine, BMW has introduced the X1 to join their X3, X5 and X6 family.

And its arrival comes just at the perfect time for BMW, for figures show that owners of large SAVs such as the X5 are downsizing in droves.

From peak sales of nearly 11,000 units in 2006, only half of that number of new X5s rolled out of UK showrooms last year. And this year things look even bleaker, with indications that sales will nosedive by yet another 1000 vehicles.

Even the smaller X3 has not been immune to falling sales, with the 7,500 sales figure of 2006 dwindling to less than 3,000 last year and another drop of around 1,000 expected for 2009.

So there are a lot of hopes pinning on the new X1 as BMW seek to reclaim lost ground.

The X1 is not just a condensed, watered-down version of any of its X range siblings, although it does take many of its styling cues, high driving position and practicality from its larger stablemates.

What it does do is give buyers an opportunity to tailor a vehicle that is more specific to their own individual requirements by offering the choice of two or four-wheel-drive along with a large list of optional equipment.

With prices starting at £22,660, BMW has reserved just one two-litre diesel engine in three different power guises for the X1. No petrol engines are planned for the UK market.

Topping the range is the 1995cc four-cylinder xDrive23d featuring its all-aluminium crankcase, twin-turbochargers and common-rail direct injection fuel system.

Pumping out a whopping 204bhp at 4,400rpm with a top speed of 127mph, it is the perfect choice for the more demanding of drivers.

At the other end of the scale is the still-potent single turbocharged sDrive18d unit producing 143bhp at 4,000revs which has a top speed of 124mph in two-wheel-drive form. Combined fuel consumption is an impressive 54.3mpg while CO2 emissions have been restricted to 136g/km.

But it is the mid-range 177bhp sDrive20d model which is expected to be the biggest seller in the X1 range. Making the most of performance and economy figures, the rear-wheel-drive vehicle can still complete the 0-62mph dash in 8.1 seconds while fuel consumption is 53.3mpg with CO2 emissions just a little higher at 139g/km.

I have just spent the best part of a week with a flagship four-wheel-drive xDrive23d SE model and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the experience.

Starting off at Wick on a wet and windy afternoon, my journey took me from the Caithness town down the A9 to Inverness and on to Dulnain Bridge and over the Lecht to Strathdon, without doubt one of the most demanding stretches of road anywhere in Scotland.

The X1, with its highly-advanced four-wheel-drive system, allowed for safe, speedy and comfortable advancement and even the rough and irregular surfaces found away from the main trunk roads could not slow the X1's charge.

As you would expect from a premium-quality car manufacturer, the X1 screams quality inside and out.

Aimed at those who enjoy a sporty lifestyle, the chunky exterior design with its large bumpers, high stance, flared arches, sloping roof and aluminium highlights help create a purposful silhouette, while the inside is yet another BMW work of art with its beautifully-designed dash which wraps itself around the driver and front passenger.

With the rear seats in place, the X1 offers 420 litres of luggage space. However, this increases to a useful 1350-litres when the 40:20:40 split seats are folded. Various other cubby holes and storage boxes throughout also add to the vehicle's practicality.

There is no question that BMW have got the timing just right for the X1 and as such have a clear run in this new niche marketplace.

While offering yet another choice to the already comprehensive BMW range, the marque's marketing bosses make no secret they are now gunning to convert owners of vehicles such as high specification Volkswagen Tiguans, Ford Kugas and Toyota RAV4s to the Bavarian-based brand.