BMW X1 facelift review, test drive and video

This is the refreshed BMW X1. It brings with it a facelift, updated interiors, more equipment and more power for the diesel engine. Oh, and the petrol engine has been ditched in the current line-up. BMW has just launched the new X1, and despite it being Rs 1.5 lakh more expensive than the old X1, with a starting price of Rs 27.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it remains the most affordable BMW in India. A lot has changed in this new X1. Let's take a closer look. 

The X1 has gone under the knife and there are small tweaks to the overall design. The main changes in the X1 are at the front and rear bumpers which now get a more upmarket looking glossy finished plastic cladding at the chin and the rear lower back and the side-skirts. The headlamps retain the same familiar shape as those used on the existing X1, but receive new internal elements, including LED corona rings in some variants. It gets reshaped exterior mirrors with housings for side repeater lights.

Based on the 3-series touring chassis, it uses a longitudinally mounted engine, rear-wheel drive layout and the old X1’s six-speed gearbox has been replaced with the ZF eight-speed unit that’s in all new BMWs. Also new on the X1 is the electro-mechanically assisted power steering. 

This new car addresses one of the biggest weaknesses of the old X1 – its dull interiors. This one gets more premium materials than before and instead of a two-one dash, it now gets an all-black theme throughout the cabin including the seats. The wooden inserts on the dashboard are now replaced with aluminium-finish inserts and the high-gloss surface around the air-con controls and chrome inserts around the display screen gives it a nice touch. 

Three trim-levels are on offer – base, xLine and Sportline. The base variant includes climate control, electric wing mirrors and fog lamps, on board computer, audio system with CD/aux/USB and 17-inch alloy wheels. The xLine variant adds underguard elements for front and rear aprons, side skirt covers and air intake and kidney grille slats in Titanium Silver matte finish. This variant also gets special door sills with xLine badging, sports multi-function steering wheel with leather, multi-colour ambient lighting, floor-mats with colour-matched piping and Fineline Bay matte wood finish exclusive to the xLine trim level.

The X1 now makes slightly more power and torque – 181bhp and 38.74kgm of torque. This step-up in power and the closer stacked ratios of the eight-speed box means the X1 hits the 100 kph mark in 8.25seconds, a whole 1.2seconds quicker than before. Peak torque is available from as low as 1750rpm which means the motor pulls effortlessly and acceleration is linear from low engine speeds. The eight-speed auto works brilliantly and is very quick to respond. 

BMW X1

₹ 44.85 lakh * on road price (New Delhi)

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