A family car is not only about the driver. For many buyers, the rear seat matters just as much. BMW seems to be looking at this part of the market with the new X1 LWB. The long wheelbase version will be launched in India on August 21, giving the compact luxury SUV a larger cabin and more rear space.
BMW X1 LWB: What Changes?
The biggest difference is the size. The X1 LWB measures 4,616mm in length and has a 2,802mm wheelbase. The standard X1 is 4,500mm long with a 2,692mm wheelbase.
| BMW X1 LWB | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 4,616mm |
| Width | 1,845mm |
| Height | 1,641mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,802mm |
| Boot space | 540 litres |
This gives the new version 116mm more length and 110mm more wheelbase. Height also rises by 11mm. The extra size should be most useful for people sitting in the second row.
More Room At The Back
Rear passengers get more space, with the seat height increased by 27mm. The headrest cushions are also 37mm wider. Boot capacity goes up from 476 litres in the standard X1 to 540 litres here.
Some expected cabin features include:
- 10.7-inch touchscreen
- 10.25-inch digital driver display
- Wireless phone charging
- Harman Kardon sound system
- Powered front seats
- Automatic tailgate
- Digital key
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Dual-zone climate control
- Connected car features
The cabin also gets a curved display and other familiar X1 equipment. Park Assist Plus and extra driver assistance features could also be offered, depending on the variant.
What About The Engine?
This is one area where BMW has not given the final India details yet. The standard X1 sold here uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel engine.
The petrol motor makes 154hp and 230Nm, while the diesel produces 148hp and 360Nm. The X1 LWB could use these engines in India.
In China, the long-wheelbase SUV uses a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 204hp and 300Nm. It gets a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The FWD version does 0-100kph in 7.9 seconds, while the AWD version takes 7.7 seconds.
Price And Launch
The standard BMW X1 is priced from Rs 50.9 lakh to Rs 52.9 lakh, ex-showroom. The longer version is expected to cost more. BMW will reveal the exact price and variant details on August 21.
The X1 LWB will also be assembled in India from CKD units at BMW’s Chennai plant. This should help BMW keep the pricing more competitive.