BMW Readies X1 Crossover for U.S. Market

BMW AG says its redesigned X1 small crossover vehicle will debut in the U.S. this autumn at a base price of $31,500. The company has not announced its sales target.

The U.S. version of the revamped model, which was unveiled last month at the New York auto show, features exterior styling tweaks, new trim packages, a revised engine lineup, brake regeneration and a special efficiency-optimized operating mode.

BMW says it has sold more than 275,000 X1 vehicles worldwide since the first-generation model was introduced in 2010. The little crossover is produced in Leipzig, Germany, and in a just-opened factory in Tiexi, China.

Among updates to the U.S.-bound X1 are redesigned headlamps with optional xenon lamps and LED accent lights, a revised rear bumper/undertray and twin-turbo four- and six-cylinder engines.

Highlighting the crossover's powertrain lineup is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder powerplant that delivers 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW expects the engine to achieve U.S. fuel economy ratings of 24 mpg city/33 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.

An optional 3.0-liter twin-turbo with six-speed automatic will be offered exclusively in North America with all-wheel drive. The inline six produces 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque and is capable of propelling the X1 from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. The powertrain is rated at 18 mpg city/27/mpg highway/21 mpg combined.

Models with the 2.0-liter engine include the company's Eco Pro system, which maximizes fuel efficiency by adjusting accelerator mapping, transmission shift points and power consumption by the such electrically operated features as seat warmers, exterior mirror heaters and climate control. The system also displays the additional driving range produced by the system.

An optional M Sport package for all-wheel-drive models adjusts front-rear torque distribution for more neutral cornering. In some cornering circumstances, the system may simultaneously apply power to the outside rear wheel and brake the inside rear wheel to help rotate the vehicle.