Radical refresh
The 2016 BMW X1 has a new look, more space and AWD.
Pros: Lots of interior space, easy to live with. Cons: Options are expensive, less powerful than outgoing model. Value for money: Good. What I would change: Add an adaptable suspension system to the M Sport package. How I would spec it: I would forgo some of the Premium Package luxury, but the M Sport seats are a must. Producers of fine sports cars are fuelled by their passionate fan base; it’s what drives them to keep raising their own particular bar of excellence. But automakers can’t subsist on passion alone, it takes sales — a lot of them — to keep their coffers healthy and enable them to keep building those glorious machines. They tread a fine line between cultivating a more- mainstream presence to attract more buyers and staying loyal to the fan base that made them what they are.
The problem is that vehicles which appeal to a lot of people often alienate the enthusiasts to whom exclusivity is a big part of the attraction. Just ask Porsche, which faced a deluge of vitriol when it released the Cayenne SUV. To the Porsche faithful, it was a sacrilege of the highest order. And yet sales of the Cayenne soared, which helped pull the company through the economic implosion of the past decade. Love it or loathe it, the Cayenne remains Porsche’s topselling vehicle, and it helps fund those no- compromise sports cars so beloved by purists.
When BMW revealed plans to introduce its first frontwheel- drive platform for our market, the backlash was marked by dismay rather than fury. After all, the motoring public had got used to fourdoor sedans and off- roaders from Porsche, and sports utility vehicles from Jaguar and Bentley; what’s a little wrong-wheeldrive action from Bavaria in the grand scheme of things?
Let’s face it, most of the general driving public doesn’t really think about which set of wheels is putting power to the pavement, as long as their cars are safe and reliable and offer a modicum of comfort. Underpinning the latest edition of BMW’s X1 luxury compact crossover, the new platform adds the greater flexibility needed to succeed in this most competitive of segments. And because all X1s available in Canada will be equipped with BM W’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, up to 100 per cent of the power can be sent to the rear wheels when needed.
It’s highly unlikely that the new front- wheel- drive configuration will ever find its way under the M3, so purists should relax and take comfort from the fact that successful sales equal more money for research and development.
Introduced in 2013, the X1 is a relatively new vehicle to receive such a radical makeover. While the previous model was based on the 3 Series passenger sedan, the new X1 rides on the same platform found under the European 2 Series Active Tourer. That’s the same architecture found in the third- generation Mini, another consolation point for fans worried about its handling.
Gone is the optional 35i, with its straight- six engine; the X1 is now available in a single model with one powertrain. The turbo-charged fourcylinder puts out 228 horsepower and 258 pound- feet of torque. It’s mated to an eightspeed automatic transmission and depending upon which trim level you choose, it can be operated with paddle shifters.
Undoubtedly, there will be those who bemoan the loss of the more powerful six- cylinder engine, but the payoff is greater fuel efficiency and a huge increase in utility. Purists take heart: it’s also the same power plant found in Mini’s JCW variants.
The X1 retains basically the same wheelbase, but the new configuration’s shorter nose leaves room for expansion of the cabin space, which is an all-important consideration in this market. The previous X1, which trailed behind its competitors in usable space, now boasts an additional 85 litres of cargo space, for a total of 505, and that grows to 1,550L with the rear seats folded down.
Where the outgoing model resembled a more car- like wagon, the new X1’s taller roofline and xLine- specific 18- inch wheels give it a definite crossover appearance. Nicely sculpted sheet metal and crisp character lines work well to disguise its height, and chrome wheel- to- wheel trim visually slenderizes its profile. Slanted projector headlights add a menacing scowl to the X1’s face, and their self- levelling and cornering ability are terrific for night driving.
The X1 starts at $ 38,800, but my tester was a fully loaded X1 xDrive model with the optional M Sport Package ($2,500). Basically an appearance upgrade but with a more firmly tuned suspension, the M Sport package includes paddle shifters and fully adjustable, perforated leather bucket seats that are, in a word, sublime. Using a combination of the available switches, both driver and passenger can dial in enough side bolstering and lumbar support for an almost custom fit. The extra height allows for a 36-millimetre rise in the front seating position for greater visibility. Rear passengers benefit from an extra 37 mm of leg room, and reclining seats which also fold flat at the touch of a button.
The interior is pretty typical for a German automaker: there’s plenty of black leather and subdued instrumentation. Subtle ambient lighting trim on the door panels is a very nice touch. The dash layout is pretty straightforward, with the exception of the heated steering wheel switch, which I discovered by accident on the base of the steering column.
The Premium Package ($ 4,950) brings with it the Driving Dynamic control found throughout the BM W sports- car lineup, as well as such cosseting niceties as the heated steering wheel and Harman Kardon sound system. The driver can choose between Comfort, Sport or Eco Pro to alter steering and throttle response to deliver a brisk, spirited drive, a softer cruise or the most economical fuel consumption possible. Also included in the package is a nicely executed head- up display, which can be tailored to show speed or navigation details.
On the road, the X1 dispels any concerns about its frontwheel- drive bias with its lively handling and a generally planted feel. No, it doesn’t feel anything like the ferocious M3 coupe, but then that’s not what its buyers want. Vaguely reminiscent of the Mini Countryman, the X1 has less body roll (and none of the squeaks and rattles). During spirited driving, the xDrive system can divert as much torque as needed to either axle, virtually eliminating over and understeer.
Its lightweight chassis results in it feeling quicker than it actually is, and while not as engaging as its predecessor, the X1 is still a fun little crossover to drive. The ride can be a bit hard and punishing over rough surfaces, but that can be attributed to the stiff side walls of its standard run- flat tires. The BMW X1 offers more interior space than competitors Audi Q3, Mercedes- Benz GLA and the more expensive Range Rover Evoque.
Far from the pariah the BMW faithful have made it out to be, the new X1 is a likable little vehicle that’s really easy to live with.