[LEA69]

BMW X1, entry line AWD vehicle to rate against Rav4.

BMW has kicked off a top-secret project to add yet another member to its family of X-badged crossover SUVs. In addition to the X5, the just-freshened X3 (below right), and a two-door X6 due in 2008, work has begun on the pint-size X1, planned for 2010.

The compact SUV market might seem an unlikely place for a premium German marque, but BMW won't be alone. Audi will be there with the Volkswagen Tiguan-derived Q3, as will Mercedes-Benz with its GLK.

All three are aimed at young families, active singles, well-to-do female customers, and empty nesters. These groups all share the desire to sit up high, to surround themselves with lots of active and passive safety equipment, and to own a premium product with a versatile interior. They are less interested in size and high-performance engines. They're also value-focused, which is why the X1 will be priced about the same as a loaded Toyota RAV4.

At roughly 170 inches long, the X1 combines the footprint of the 1-series with packaging similar to that of the X3. The large wheels and the suspension come from the X3. The underbody, the drivetrain, and the electronics will be taken from the 1-series. The X1's more carlike DNA is reflected in its target weight of 3400 pounds, significantly lighter than the X3. The X1 is principally a four-seater, but since the rear chairs slide and fold, an optional fifth seat could be integrated. BMW may offer a variety of opening and see-through roof treatments. Like the X3, the X1 should sell more than 100,000 units per year.

Will that satisfy BMW's X craving? Apparently not. An X4, a two-door closely related to the X1 and the X3, is in the works. So is the X7--a stretched X5 sporting six seats, an air suspension, and an optional V-12--which is poised to take on the Range Rover. :rocks:

check out:
http://www.egmcartech.com/2006/09/27...s-2010-bmw-x1/

[1q2w3e4r]

Cool, are they going to make this one in Graz and have it manufactered by Magna Steyr and badge it and sell it off as a BMW to poor unspecting souls like the X3 I wonder?

[CaptOz]

I like the looks though.

Should sell on appearance alone.

Cheers.

[BMW //MPOWER]

Looks alright, but i guess it is just really a 1er on steroids!
Now where is the 1er coupe and cabrio arriving?? The last set of pics of the cabrio i saw looked sweet as, anyone seen anything floating around lately?

[Chris.G]

Originally Posted by 1q2w3e4r

Cool, are they going to make this one in Graz and have it manufactered by Magna Steyr and badge it and sell it off as a BMW to poor unspecting souls like the X3 I wonder?

i really do hope so! Magna Steyr have done a brilliant job with the X3's. Its a win win situation. "poor unexpecting souls" E90post Aus section comedian award goes to you

[oneshare325]

I like it!! Looks hot!

[astra]

uh oh... another budget?

just like i heard last night from someone that ferrari is bringing out a sub 200k car?? pfft

[1q2w3e4r]

Originally Posted by Chris.G

i really do hope so! Magna Steyr have done a brilliant job with the X3's. Its a win win situation. "poor unexpecting souls" E90post Aus section comedian award goes to you

Dude it's a legit statement, your a good example of it as you didn't know your car was built by someone other than BMW etc. I personally would be pretty upset it I'd paid top dollar for a "prestige" brand vechile to find out it was built by someone other than the seller.

Thanks for the award, unfortunantly I was so suprised I don't have a speech prepared!

Originally Posted by astra

uh oh... another budget?

just like i heard last night from someone that ferrari is bringing out a sub 200k car?? pfft

Are you talking about the Dino? Ferrari shot that rumor down a few weeks back, I can't see them going for a sub $200k car. Ferrari is hugely profitable as is and I think close to capacity as is with production. Porsche was forced to build the Boxter to save the company due to the worldwide recession and people no longer buying Porsche. Ferrari is a much more stable company and the world economy is in a much better place.

But it'd be pretty cool if they did.

[ksfrogman]

So this is a CR-V fighter?

[astra]

1q2w3e4r - had no idea what it was called... but yes, i am assuming that is the one

[Chris.G]

Originally Posted by 1q2w3e4r

Dude it's a legit statement, your a good example of it as you didn't know your car was built by someone other than BMW etc. I personally would be pretty upset it I'd paid top dollar for a "prestige" brand vechile to find out it was built by someone other than the seller.

Thanks for the award, unfortunantly I was so suprised I don't have a speech prepared!

I can tell you right now that im not upset with this car being outsourced to another manufacturer in Austria for production. DO you think there isn't BMW officials/engineers at magna steyr looking at build and quality of the production? I can only tell you to take an x3 for a spin then you won't be so critical of BMW's working relation with Magna Steyr. In the end i still have a BMW with all its thrills

[VGR00]

The issue is not "Who" is building it as quality will be on the money but more importantly "why". The BMW brand is overexposed and no longer represents exclusivity or something to aspire to.

If there was one thing that I agreed with former prime minister Paul Keating was that e said 4 wheel drives were a pox on our society. We don't need another one!!!

[astra]

spot on, spot on vgr02...

[Chris.G]

Originally Posted by vgr02

The issue is not "Who" is building it as quality will be on the money but more importantly "why". The BMW brand is overexposed and no longer represents exclusivity or something to aspire to.

If there was one thing that I agreed with former prime minister Paul Keating was that e said 4 wheel drives were a pox on our society. We don't need another one!!!

keep your negative opinion about 4wheelers out of this. i can understand your point on exclusivity of BMW's though.

[astra]

take it easy chris... he likes his sedans/coupes... while you like your 4x4... horses for courses

[VGR00]

Chris ... I'm not taking a personal swing at anyone. 4 wheel drives have a place and purpose but arguably 90% are not used for intended purpose.

[E90330iS]

I thought X3 was small enough...

[LEA69]

I dont think these little 4x4's are designed for off bitumin use. Most little ones like the Rav4, the new X1, CRV...they are just as fuel efficient as a standard sedan... but people like the image of being that little bit higher off the road and say they drive a 4bee. I would recommend my mom getting an X1 or X3...purely cos she always hits the curbs!!!! And she might just clear them in a little 4bee! HA!

U want a real 4 Wheel Drive... then get a Land Cruiser/ Patrol or Range Rover. None of these 'hybrid' wannabes! Hey, the X5 is a nice 4x4, but money you pay for it... you really want to take it off road?

[astra]

Originally Posted by LEA69

U want a real 4 Wheel Drive... then get a Land Cruiser/ Patrol or Range Rover. None of these 'hybrid' wannabes! Hey, the X5 is a nice 4x4, but money you pay for it... you really want to take it off road?

we used to do ALOT of 4WDing (not anymore though ) and some friends of our's used to take their X5... coped as well as the Rangie

[CaptOz]

Originally Posted by LEA69

Hey, the X5 is a nice 4x4, but money you pay for it... you really want to take it off road?

I do!!!

I have taken the X5 to Moreton Island, Stockton Beach, Little Gibba Beach (Port Stephens) and numerous off-road camping holidays in the Blue Mountains.

It is actually a brilliant off-road vehicle and I have owned quite a few full-on 4WDs. I don't think I could ever be without a 4WD/SUV as I love my "adventure" holidays.

Cheers.

P.S. Lea - you know more cars than most people I know.

Originally Posted by vgr02

The issue is not "Who" is building it as quality will be on the money but more importantly "why". The BMW brand is overexposed and no longer represents exclusivity or something to aspire to.

If there was one thing that I agreed with former prime minister Paul Keating was that e said 4 wheel drives were a pox on our society. We don't need another one!!!

VGR02 - a couple of points as you bring up some interesting topics.

Regarding the whole SUV/4x4 and intended purpose debate, it would appear that "softroaders" are designed to suit a different market to "true" 4x4s and unfortunately they look similar externally and so get the same negative association. For example, when they designed the X3, I'm sure they were well aware that a majority of owners would never take them off road, but the target market for X3s/X5s obviously want a 3/5 series but with more (perceived) space. Not to mention the rather fake feeling of being safer because you are in a "bigger" vehicle than others. I've yet to see an X3 off-road review!

Personally I don't have any issue with any 4x4s being on the road - the issue I have is with the attitude of some of the drivers of these 4x4s who use intimidation tactics to make themselves feel "superior" to other road users.

As for BMW diluting the brand, unfortunately it's a sign of the times. People in 1st world countries now have more disposable income (or bigger credit lines) and so treat themselves to a luxury car. For example, in the UK, the 3 series is now more common than the Ford Mondeo (commodore equivalent in the UK), and so seeing one is no big deal at all - actually the same pretty much goes for most of the BMW range there - essentially, these days, if you want BMW exclusivity you buy an M car. It's even worse in places like Surrey (close to London) where people are pretty cashed up - even 911s are (and were) pretty common, so for exclusivity you need to look towards Ferrari or other supercars (which are sprouting up here and there).