Moves to the FWD platform.
Our digital rendering artist Shoeb R Kalania has previewed the front of the 2016 BMW X1 based on leaks that have surfaced this year.
Shoeb envisages the new baby crossover with a mature and bit more rounded design. The kidney grille, sharply cut headlamps, V-shaped contours on bonnet, and the air intakes have evolved, but not at the cost of the X1's familiarity.
From what we can observe in interior spyshots, the car receives a new dashboard and a redesigned steering wheel. The car will ride on the UKL platform that underpins the new MINI Cooper and the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, switching to the FWD layout, that should free up more space for the rear passengers. A seven-seat version is also on the anvil, for markets where space is a high priority, or where BMW has not decided to sell the 2 Series Gran Tourer.
Top-end variants will, however, feature BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, an option that is not offered on the Indian X1. Engine options are likely to be the 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol, 1.5-liter three-cylinder diesel and similar arrangement with 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines.
BMW may preview the new X1 at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. The Indian launch should follow in about 6 months after global deliveries commence.
Also Read: BMW X4 ruled out for India
The new car will continue to be imported to India via CKD route and assembled at the Chennai plant, perhaps with better localization.
2015 BMW X1 - Image Gallery (unrelated)
