Front-drive BMW X1 arrives

BMW'S venture into front-wheel drive vehicles continues with its second model – the new X1 compact SUV touching down in December priced from $49,500 before on-road costs for the sDrive18d.

A brace of two-wheel drive options will be on offer, with the entry level diesel or the higher-performance sDrive20i, which arrives at the same time with a $51,600 price tag.

Before that though, the more customary four-wheel drive versions will lob in October, starting with the $56,500 xDrive20d and the flagship xDrive25i priced from $59,900.

Like the outgoing first generation, the base X1 gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the sDrive20i has the same layout with a petrol engine and paddle shifters.

The front-drive pair are based on BMW's new Mini-derived architecture which first lent itself to a propeller-badged model when the 2 Series Active Tourer arrived in November last year.

Four-wheel drive variants will be badged as either xDrive20d as per the first generation or a new xDrive25i, which replaces the previous xDrive28i. The former is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel while the 25i has a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol like the sDrive20i but with a higher output.

Full specifications including performance figures will be confirmed closer to the vehicle's local launch, but in the meantime BMW has released acceleration and fuel economy ratings for just the xDrive versions.

The diesel version produces 140kW and 400Nm, will crack 100km/h from standstill in 7.6 seconds and uses 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres of fuel on the combined cycle, while the 25i has 170kW/350Nm, does the dash in 6.5 seconds and uses 6.6L/100km.

Pricing for the two most affordable versions has crept up compared with the previous X1 with a $3200 increase to the sDrive18d and $3300 added to the price of the sDrive20i, but BMW says the new versions have gained kit that offsets the change.

All four variants will now be equipped with rearview camera, the Driving Assistant pack which adds lane-departure warning, forward collision and city braking, parking assistant with radar, xLine styling kit, 18-inch wheels, navigation, ConnectedDrive, power tailgate and LED headlights.

Top-end versions get larger 19-inch wheels, comfort access, electric and heated sports seats with leather upholstery, head-up display and Navigation Plus.

The xDrive20d has reduced in price by $400, while the flagship's price is unchanged.

Swapping to a front-drive layout has freed up extra interior space with an extra 57mm of legroom for rear passengers and a boot that can swallow up to 505 litres of goods or 1550 with the 40/20/40 split rear seats folded.

2015 BMW X1 pricing*

sDrive18d (a)	$49,500
sDrive20i (a)	$51,600
xDrive20d (a)	$56,500
xDrive25i (a)	$59,900

*Excludes on-road costs