WEEKEND GETAWAY MACHINE

+ Click to Enlarge CRISP EDGES, SPORTY ANGLES: The X1 has much in common with that other post-Bangle BMW, the X6.

July 2, 2009

The BMW X1, shown to the world's media for the first time this week and due in South Africa in early 2010, is BMW's smallest SUV but still a family hauler with space for five adults and 420 litres of luggage in its five-door body – or a weekend getaway machine with BMW's X-Drive all-wheel drive and 1350 litres of playtoy cargo bay once the rear seats are folded.

It's 4.454m long, 1.798m wide and 1.545m high on a long-for-the-class 2.76m wheelbase, giving it short overhangs at either end to cope with campsite dongas or airport car-park curbs, depending on your choice of jungle.

It'll be available at launch in Europe with a choice of one petrol and three turbodiesel engines, each with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.

The petrol derivative is badged as the 28i but actually has Be-Em's proven 2996cc straight six, tuned in this application for 190kW at 6600rpm and 310Nm at 2600. The maker quotes 0-100 in 6.8sec and 230km/h with the optional high-speed suspension kit while depleting the earth's fossil-fuel reserves at 9.4 litres/100km.

The 23d is actually a two-litre four with dual turbochargers, rated at 150kW and 400Nm. Claimed 0-100 is 7.3 sec, top speed 205km/h and thirst 6.3 litres/100km.

The 20d has the same engine but with a single turbo and 130kW/350Nm, using 5.3 litres/100km to go from 0-100 in 8.1sec and on to 205km/h, while the 18d is still a two-litre but further detuned to 105kW/320Nm, using 5.2 litres/100km to sprint to 100km in 9.6sec and reach 200km/h flat out.

The 20d and 18d will also be available as sDrive variants with rear-wheel drive only.

BMW SA has confirmed that the sDrive18i, sDrive20d, xDrive 20d and xDrive 23d will be launched in South Africa in the first quarter of 2010.

All X1's will have dynamic stability control with traction control, six crash bags, adaptive brake lights and daytime driving lights. Xenon headlights, adaptive headlights and automatic high-beam dipping will be options.

The interior is trimmed in fabric with sporty striped fabric or leather as options and lots of places to lose things including trays and cup holders in the centre console and bottle-sized pockets in the door panels.

The rear-seat backs are adjustable for angle, split in a 40:20:40 ratio and fold flat individually to provide a 1350-litre luggage compartment.

The centre stack is angled slightly towards the driver and the standard sound system has an audio input. The optional, upgraded audio set-up includes a USB port. i-Drive is also an option, as is satnav and a long list of options and upgrades.