2010 BMW X1

BMW will launch its all-new X1 in Australia in mid April and has just announced details of pricing and the model lineup. The BMW X1 is, as its name suggests, a smaller version of the BMW X3 and X5, both of which have been on sale for some time now with a good degree of success. However, it has to be said that the Australian buyers’ preference for large vehicles has seen the X5 attracting more attention than its smaller brother.

But the smaller X1 isn't likely to suffer from its dimensions because it's very much aimed at the trendy buyer, to whom style is of major importance. In fact the more compact dimensions of the X1 will make it appeal to the inner city trendsetters as it will be easier to drive, as well as being able to squeeze into diminutive parking spaces.

Initially it was intended to import only the turbo-diesel models, but now BMW Australia has decided to launch the petrol variants at the same time as the diesels arrive. The first of the petrol engines is a four-cylinder that produces 110 kW, the other a six-cylinder 160 kW unit that power the car from rest to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds.

May we speculate that the 3.0-litre twin-turbo BMW engine, one of our all-time favourite powerplants, may also be offered later – hopefully not too much later?

Even more importantly, BMW Australia will also make available two-wheel drive versions to sell alongside the all-wheel drive models. This lets BMW trim the price of the vehicle because it has less mechanical complexity.

So the 2010 BMW X1 range starts at just $43,500 (plus on-road costs), an exceptional price for a German designed and built prestige car.

Not everyone wants to drive on unsealed roads, let alone in off-road conditions, so two-wheel drive is all they need. It goes without saying that the driven wheels are those at the rear of the car, BMW wouldn't do it any other way. The German company has made its name by producing superior dynamic ability and rear-drive plays a big part in this.

As well as cutting the price, the reduction of weight in the simpler 2WD system also adds slightly to the performance, as well as cutting fuel use. At this time, the rear-drive system is being offered with the 2.0-litre diesel engine. Its fuel consumption measured to official Australian standards is a mere 5.3 litres per hundred kilometres. You wouldn't have got that sort of economy from the smallest car on the road a few years back.

The new BMW X1 range goes on sale in Australia on April 10, but it might me an idea to get your name onto your dealer’s list prior to then because we know quite a few people have already expressed plenty of interest.

The full BMW X1 range, with prices (excluding government and dealer charges), is:
sDrive18i 2.0-litre petrol: $43,500 (manual), $45,700 (automatic)
sDrive20d 2.0-litre turbo-diesel 2WD: $49,300 (manual), $51,500 (automatic)
xDrive20d 2.0-litre turbo-diesel AWD: $52,700 (manual), $54,900 (automatic)
xDrive25i 3.0-litre petrol: $56,800 (automatic)
xDrive23d 2.0-litre turbo-diesel: $59,280 (automatic)