When the new BMW X1 was launched many enthusiasts weren’t the most excited about the new front wheel drive set up as a drive train, fast forward a year and the X1 has managed to become quite a successful SUV for BMW despite its comparison to the previous generation. Comparatively the new BMW X1 managed to outperform its predecessor both in terms of sales and downright appeal. However as time is passing, BMW sees it fit to give the current X1 a facelift or refresh if that’s what you’d like to call it, although BMW hasn’t changed the overall design but instead added minor tweaks to bring it up to speed with times and the company’s design language.
The facelifted X1 can be seen sporting a new headlamp and taillamp design, at the front the new headlamps follow the new half halo ring design that is seen on current BMW cars. The fog lights have also been relocated at a much lower position by the air intakes which has also been slightly moved, these changes are so minimal that it would take a true BMW fan to tell the difference. At the rear, the taillights too have been marginally changed with the overall design remaining the same, it’s just the light pattern we suspect to be new along with the turn indicators that have been positioned lower in the taillight.
Aside from this both the front and rear remain unchanged which is no bad thing since the X1 feels pretty fresh and is already quite a handsome looking SUV. However, there have been additional changes made to the inside of the X1 which now boasts of a new iDrive system which is found on the current BMW cars. Additionally, it gets a new gear shift lever which indicates BMW may have switched to a new transverse based dual clutch transmission. The BMW X1 is one of its most successful SUV’s didn’t need any major changes to its existing overall design but BMW seems to have just added a few tweaks here and there to bring it up to speed with more modern times, which is no bad thing.
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We expect BMW to roll out the updated car on Indian shores somewhere around 2020, possibly even with a plug-in hybrid variant. Currently, the BMW X1 is available with a choice of both a 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel motor in India, while the petrol engine churns out 192 bhp @ 5,000 rpm and 280 Nm of torque @ 1,350 rpm. The diesel motor, on the other hand, makes around 188 bhp of power @ 4,000 rpm and a strong 400 Nm of torque @ 1,750 rpm. Both of these motors come mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission and are front wheel drive, while an AWD is available only on the top of the line M Sport trim. Prices for the base variant start at Rs. 35,50,000/- ex-showroom Mumbai and rise all the way to Rs. 44,50,000/- for the top of the line M Sport trim.
Image Source – Motor1