In the crosshairs
With an improved BS VI petrol engine, much better ride, and some subtle cosmetic changes the new X1 seems to be ready to take on the competition
With the new generation GLA on the way in, and Volvo’s XC40 gaining popularity, a lot rests on the shoulders of this BS VI compliant 2020 BMW X1, even if it is just a mid-life facelift. Interestingly this new BMW X1 no longer gets the all-wheel driven X-drive variant possibly in the interest of remaining cost competitive, aided by the fact that the average X1 buyer is unlikely to ever take it off-road.
In line with all new generation BMWs we’ll start with the kidney grille on the fascia. It’s now larger, thankfully though it’s not too imposing and adds a semblance of butch appeal to the X1’s presence. The lights too have been redone, the LED headlamps get sharper DRLs akin to what we’ve seen on the new 3 and the X5. Similarly the tail-lamps too get sharper more geometric lines. Round fog lamps have been replaced with slim LED units that sit under a faux diffuser on the redesgined front bumper. They sit so flush in their recess that you’d be forgiven if you didn’t notice them. No question about their lumination though, despite their size their throw is more than respectable. The tail-gate appears to be largely the same, although the rear bumper is slightly touched up.
On the inside, the X1 feels almost entirely the same, although their are a few key updates. The gear knob gets a more ergonomic design; it’s got a much better fit in the palm. Some of the trims on the dashboard are double stitched in the interest of aesthetic value. Most notably though, their are some updates to the ambient lighting package which now gets a longer list of themes, along with puddle lamps with the X1’s logo. The slightly older cabin is hard to ignore, but the roomy rear seats still get brownie points for feeling more spacious than its immediate rivals. I have to say that for a car pushing the Rs 40 lakh mark, some missing bits are a bit glaring. No passive keyless entry, memory function
THE LED HEADLAMPS GET SHARPER DRLS AKIN TO WHAT WE’VE SEEN ON THE NEW 3 AND THE X5. SIMILARLY THE TAIL-LAMPS
TOO GET SHARPER MORE GEOMETRIC
LINES
only on the driver’s seat and the strangest of all is the single auto dimming ORVM on the driver’s side.
The 2.0-litre petrol motor is rated to 192bhp and 280Nm of torque, through forced induction. Refinement could use some work as cold starts reveal slightly un-BMW like vibrations. The difference though is in the power-delivery which is now front wheel drive only and there’s also a likely tweak to this BS VI compliant motor’s fueling which now means a smoother transition as the turbo spools up. Even then, the 280Nm of peak torque on tap from as low as 1,350rpm and staying at peak all the way to almost 5,000rpm can produce a fair amount of torque steer if you’re not careful with how you use the throttle, more so in corners. The ride though is vastly improved, set in comfort, with the 17-inch wheels compression is noticeably improved, meaning road manners are a lot better. Although I suspect the M-Sport’s 18inch wheels will take away from that slightly. Throw it in dynamic, and the X1 does well to earn it’s badge as an eager driver’s car. The steering weighs up nicely with speed, but is light and responsive even in bumper to bumper traffic and tight parking spaces.
The 2020 X1 may not be a stark contrast to the outgoing car, but it’s got the right tweaks to hold fort until the new generation arrives!