Since the BMW X1, 175 inches overall length, is almost the size as X3 at 180 inches, and is already in the U.S. This will force the German maker to get creative with its marketing.
BMW’s U.S. operations have now confirmed that the small BMW X1 “crossover” SUV will come to the United States sometime during the 2011 calendar year.
The move likely anticipates further downsizing of product offerings, which will be needed as fuel economy regulations start to increase for the first time in decades, leading up to a 35.5 mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy in 2016.
In the past BMW chose to violate CAFE standards and simply pay fines, a ploy that is increasingly unsuitable in the current environment, both politically and ecologically.
“The X1 has been conceived with the flexibility to offer traditional rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, as well as a wide variety of gasoline and diesel powertrain choices. In light of rapidly evolving US market demands, fuel prices, and regulatory standards, elements of the X1’s US launch plan, including engine and drivetrain configurations, will be forthcoming closer to the time of launch,” BMW said in its brief statement.
Crossover Now!
While BMW hasn’t said which of the European powertrains will be carried over to the North American version X1, the European lineup offers some clues.
The X1 is expected to be available in several trim levels, from the 258 horsepower, straight-six gasoline powered X1 xDrive28i, to the turbo-diesel X1 xDrive23d, which produces 295 foot-pounds of torque. It all depends on how the new fuel economy regulations are administered and what loopholes/credits/exemptions are available for makers.
The X1 is an absolute slug by BMW standards, at more than 10 seconds zero-to-60 mph.
Since the X1, at 175 inches in overall length, is basically the size of the BMW X3 (180 inches) already here, it will force the German automaker to get creative with its marketing approach, and likely use pricing to separate the two. Is it possible that the X3 is doomed?
The X3 six-cylinder only gets 16 mpg, consumes 6.2 gals/100 miles and emits 9.6 tons of CO2 per year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In Europe, whose standards are not equivalent and are far easier on diesel engines, the X1 xDrive18d with all-wheel drive has an average fuel consumption (EU5 regulation) of 5.6 liters/100 kilometers and a CO2 rating of 150 grams/ kilometer. It’s an absolute slug by BMW standards, at more than 10 seconds zero-to-60 mph.
The sub-compact and compact SUV segments promise to be active ones in the future. Several automakers, including the likes of Chrysler/Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen and Toyota are all re-configuring the market for SUVs by bringing on vehicles that are smaller than current generation of compacts during the next two years. Current compacts include the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV.
Ken Zino reported on and edited this story.