Again for a 3rd and certain remaining time (beneath ICE-only energy), BMW’s compact X1 SUV boasts supreme ranges of spaciousness and a simplified vary for patrons to select from. Here’s what has been up to date for the newcomer. 
BMW South Africa determined to host media for the launch of its all-new BMW X1 alongside its 3 Sequence LCI counterpart. Fact be instructed as a motoring fanatic, I didn’t bat an eyelid on the SUV whereas it stood alongside the low-slung, sporty-looking M340i. Whereas I recognize the practicality of an SUV, their extra athletic and usually better-proportioned counterparts are what I favor.
Parked side-to-side outdoors BMW’s Midrand headquarters, the X1’s sedan sibling was by no means going to share the limelight pretty with it, and that’s reasonably unfair contemplating how profitable the subcompact luxurious crossover SUV moniker has been since its inception in 2009.
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With 2,7 million international gross sales, it has proved to be a money cow in BMW’s portfolio, serving as a gateway for entry-level patrons into the premium Bavarian model who prioritise practicality. That being mentioned, it’s extremely essential and the niggles from the second-generation F48 mannequin left a lot to be desired.
Cue the U11 era mannequin being proven to the world for the primary time in 2022. Petrol, diesel, hybrid and an all-electric spinoff had been confirmed for manufacturing and now South Africa has its first style of the sDrive18d and sDrive18i. The all-electric BMW iX1 will make native landfall in Q2 of this yr. 
Along with welcoming the fresh-faced mannequin, BMW has simplified the buying course of. A ‘Buyer Oriented Supply Construction” is what the German automaker calls it, and all it actually denotes is a streamlined choice course of for potential patrons. A number of disregarded choices that had been beforehand supplied and overwhelmed the shopping for train have been eliminated.
As such, the U11 era X1 lineup in South Africa contains an xLine and M Sport Package deal spinoff which will be specified with totally different packages, single choices and BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades. All of those packages and upgrades will nevertheless inflate the bottom worth, however extra on that later.
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After spending the primary day within the 3 Sequence lineup parading round perenially defunct Gauteng and North West roads, the equally dilapidated routes that ventured east of the province and into Mpumalanga had the excessive using X1 instantly impressing when it comes to consolation and functionality over the rutted surfaces. First up was the sDrive18i. Below the bonnet is a 1,5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder motor that places out a good 115 kW and 230 N.m. 
The entrance wheels are powered completely by the three-pot which may instil occasional, however gentle torque steer nevertheless for essentially the most half, acceleration isn’t achieved with any sense of haste. That is additional confirmed by the 9,0 second 0-100 km/h time which felt like yonks compared to the blistering dash time of the M340i from the day prior. What stays, nevertheless, is a pliant and comfy metropolis cruiser that may obtain a claimed gas consumption of 6,5 L/100 km however extra importantly supplies some gusto when overtaking slow-moving visitors on single-lane roads.
Arriving at our mid-route vacation spot, I remained unconvinced evaluating the X1 with the three Sequence till I climbed into the driving force’s seat of the X1 sDrive18d for the primary stint of the afternoon. The two,0-litre four-cylinder diesel unit shortly grew to become the popular powertrain between the 2 SUV derivatives throughout the first few kilometres. Clean and comfy energy supply synonymous with diesel motors minus the utilitarian thrum? Signal us up! Regardless of being 5 kW down on energy to the petrol motor, the X1 sDrive18d excels in all different regards.
A complete output of 110 kW and 360 N.m (130 N.m greater than its petrol counterpart) implies that it might probably dash to 100 km/h in 8,9 seconds. This all is insignificant in a real-world software however what isn’t is a much more responsive motor, much less hindered by the inherent turbo lag of small displacement three-cylinders. As a bonus, gas consumption with X1’s propelled by the diesel unit is claimed at 5,0 L/100 km which we got here near attaining.
Most spectacular is the inside of the X1 which is smart since potential patrons will possible be much less involved in regards to the driving expertise and extra affixed on the construct high quality and ergonomics of the cabin. Most noticeable is the all-new BMW Working System 8 which spans half the size of the dashboard. This features a 10,25-inch digital instrument cluster flanked by a ten,7-inch infotainment display screen. The latter integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but in addition boasts voice management. Utilizing the pre-programmed launch route, a powerful characteristic on the mannequin is the built-in Augmented View within the non-compulsory navigation system supplies which supplies real-time updates on the high-resolution display screen courtesy of the entrance digicam.
A standard gear selector has additionally been discarded in favour of a minimal paddle and BMW has cleverly integrated a forward-facing telephone tray that gives wi-fi charging. As lovely because the floating centre console is, it appears much more optimised for left-hand drive fashions which provide it in the identical configuration. The location of the gear selector and ancillary controls is much less a bugbear however the hinge placement on the centre storage unit opens in opposition to the driving force and makes it tough to work together with what’s inside. 
For the reason that total footprint of the X1 has additionally been elevated, this additionally means that there’s extra spaciousness inside. Rising in each axis from its predecessor, the newest U11 X1 is now 44 mm larger, 53 mm longer and 24 mm wider than the outgoing mannequin. This offers it whole measurement of 1 642 mm in peak, with a size of 4 500 mm and a width of 1 845 mm. The inside spaciousness can be courtesy of a wheelbase that has been elevated by 22 mm and now measures in at 2 692 mm. With versatility in thoughts, boot quantity is rated at 540 L whereas a folded second row of seats yields a considerable 1 600 L.
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The X1 sDrive18i is priced competitively at R753 045, as is the popular sDrive18d which is available in at R790 616 in base spec guise nevertheless the simplified tools packages and particular person choices can quickly enhance the full worth. That is the place fashions just like the Volvo XC40 and Alfa Romeo Tonale and their simplified lineups which come totally optioned may yield higher worth for cash.
