BMW X1 LCi - updated looks and new drivetrain

BMW has revealed its facelifted junior SAV, the X1 LCi during the New York Autoshow, signalling the entry of its smallest crossover to the US market last month. Now the updated X1 will be gradually updated to the rest of the globe with a refreshed look and updated range of drivetrain promised to be more economical than ever  where every rear-wheel drive X1 now emits less than 130g/km of CO2.  Since its introduction in 2010, some 275,000 unit of BMW X1 has been sold. This signifies the success of the concept of SAV crossover applied to the less-than-X3 package. Furthermore, fellow German rival Audi has released the Audi Q3 in its bid to steal some of the pie in this segment, with Mercedes-Benz rumoured to follow suit.

For the update, BMW has modified the exterior design, meticulously upgraded interior, comprehensively revised engine portfolio and more importantly introduced the new range of BMW Lines in similar trend to the new 1 and 3 Series to deliver an even more intensive experience of the hallmark driving pleasure for which the brand is known for. To recap about the BMW X1 LCi, BMW has updated the front end with revised front bumper design sporting more angular three lower grille. While the high-mounted front fog lamp remains, but the bumper is more angular in its execution. Combined with larger twin-kidney grille, BMW X1 now has a more muscular front end presentation. Elsewhere around the exterior, the side mirror has been replaced with the boxier item featuring LED indicator.  Meanwhile, the rear end revision is very minor. The tail lamps has been retained, while the lower section of the bumper has a smaller black cladding. As a results, the rear reflector is now the bumper section, instead of being fixed together with the blackened bumper garnish.

In the interior department, the cabin has been reworked minimally with the new steering wheel design that is more in-line with recent BMW model. The classy touch has also been added to the i-Drive screen with chromed accents on the outer edge of the screen.

In the powertrain sector, BMW X1 LCi is latest beneficiary of the well-known BMW Advanced Diesel and Petrol TwinPower Turbocharged engine. The range of engines for the new BMW X1 comprises three petrol and five diesel units spanning an output range of 116 hp to 245 hp.  Leading the way in the new generation of four-cylinder diesel engines is the 218hp/450Nm powerplant of the new BMW X1 xDrive25d, featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology comprising latest-generation variable sequential turbocharging. The other diesel offerings are in the xDrive20d (184hp/380Nm), xDrive20d Efficient Dynamics (163hp/380Nm) and xDrive18d (143hp/320Nm). All there displaced 2.0L but with varying degree of tune. The 18d and 20d are available with rear drive, while the the 20ED version is exclusively rear-wheel-driven. All engines are available with the 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The petrol range has been overshadowed by the sheer availability of diesel variants. For the US market, X1 can be had in sDrive28i, xDrive28i and xDrive35i. While the highly-tuned 2.0L TwinPower Turbo received the 8 speed autobox, the older N55 unit in xDrive35i make do with just 6 speed automatic gearbox.

The introduction of the X1 LCi also marked the introduction of BMW Lines for this particular model. In addition to the standard and M Sport, customer can now choose either Sport of xLine trim.  The BMW xLine particularly emphasises the robust versatility of the new BMW X1 while the BMW Sport Line accentuates its agility and dynamics via their exclusive, harmoniously matched design and equipment features.

Large gallery of BMW X1 LCi can be found after the jump.