Audi BMW

German magazine Auto Motor und Sport delivers a photo comparison between BMW’s entry-level premium SAV, the X1, and MINI’s newest adventure in the crossover segment, the Countryman.

Based on the photos below, the two cars are not only competing in the “Who’s bigger and better competition”, but also for similar customers. The two youngsters appeal to the same demographic, young professionals, outdoor active and last, but not least, loyal to the brand.

It will not be uncommon to see buyers migrating from one brand to another, or in this case, from the X1 to Countryman or vice-versa. Both vehicles offer an urban vehicle, versatile, fuel friendly and somewhat spacious.

The choice becomes even more confusing if BMW decides to price them in the same range, and with the new X1 making its debut in the U.S. next year, we certainly expect an entry-level price in the low 30s, similar to the MINI Countryman.

The X1 is based on the same platform as the xDrive BMW 3 Series Touring, Length and it measure 175 inches in length, 60.8 inches in height and 70.8 inches wide. MINI Countryman comes a bit short at 161.3 inches, 61.5 inches height and 70.4 wide.

The difference in trunk space is quite significant though, the X1 has a cargo capacity of 420 liters, which can increase to 480 liters with the back seats pulled a little to the front, and up to 1350 liters of storage space with the seats folded.

The back seat of the Countryman is a split-folding design, and cargo capacity jumps from 350 to 1,170 liters when it’s down, considerably lower than the X1.

Design wise, both cars maintain their brand’s DNA, with characteristic design elements and icons.

Recently, BMW X1 was crowned as Europe’s top selling premium SUV/SAV, so we look forward to see how the Countryman stacks up against the Audi Q5 or the Volvo XC60.

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[Photos source: Auto Motor und Sport ]

German tuner Hartge continues to improve their BMW X1 program. In the latest iteration, Hartge gives the following X1 diesel a quad exhaust system: xDrive18d, sDrive18d, xDrive20d, sDrive20d and xDrive23d.

The stainless exhaust system features four tailpipes each with 80mm diameter. The upgraded exhaust improves not only the appearance of the X1, but also the acoustics.

In Germany, the price for the Hartge X1 exhaust system was set at 1,785 euros, and as mentioned before, it is only available for the diesel models.

Petrol powered X1 models are expected to receive a similar exhaust system offering.

According to a report by InsideLine, Avtotor, the Russian auto assembler and partner of several automakers, will start assembly the new BMW X1 on October 1.

The X1 will have its own production line at the Kaliningrad plant and will appear at Russian dealers in October.
Initially, Avtotor expects to launch the production of the X1 sDrive18i Urban version priced at $42,000, as well as xDrive20d in Urban and Lifestyle versions priced at $50,000 and $55,000, respectively.

By the end of 2010, Avtotor plans to deliver 400 X1 models. According to the company’s plans, by the end of the current year, more than 400 X1 models are expected to be assembled in Russia, while the total volume of BMW cars to be produced at Avtotor this year will exceed 10,000 units.

According to the same report, both companies plan to expand their cooperation in Russia and in the long term, BMW and Avtotor plan to produce 50,000 units a year and to launch full-scale production, including welding and painting.

At the Kaliningrad plant, Avtotor also assembles the top X-models, BMW X5 and X6.

The new BMW X1 continues on its ascending path and recent reports confirm the X1 as being the top-seller premium SUV in Europe.

[Source: InsideLine ]

According to a report by InsideLine, Avtotor, the Russian auto assembler and partner of several automakers, will start assembly the new BMW X1 on October 1.

The X1 will have its own production line at the Kaliningrad plant and will appear at Russian dealers in October.
Initially, Avtotor expects to launch the production of the X1 sDrive18i Urban version priced at $42,000, as well as xDrive20d in Urban and Lifestyle versions priced at $50,000 and $55,000, respectively.

By the end of 2010, Avtotor plans to deliver 400 X1 models. According to the company’s plans, by the end of the current year, more than 400 X1 models are expected to be assembled in Russia, while the total volume of BMW cars to be produced at Avtotor this year will exceed 10,000 units.

According to the same report, both companies plan to expand their cooperation in Russia and in the long term, BMW and Avtotor plan to produce 50,000 units a year and to launch full-scale production, including welding and painting.

At the Kaliningrad plant, Avtotor also assembles the top X-models, BMW X5 and X6.

The new BMW X1 continues on its ascending path and recent reports confirm the X1 as being the top-seller premium SUV in Europe.

[Source: InsideLine ]

BMW X1 tops the Audi Q5 as best selling premium SUV in the European market. The entry-level X1 has been equally criticized and praised by journalists, some even called it rubbish, but the unit sales confirm once again the demographic market BMW has gone after: younger crowd, full of energy, people that enjoy outdoor activities, but drive in urban environment as well, and also, eco-conscious.

According to Automotive News, a combination of these factors has led to a high demand. Through July, BMW has sold 55,550 X1s. Since its market launch in late-October 2009, more than 64,049 X1s have been sold, the company said.

With the launch of the X1, BMW has opened a new premium small SUV segment. First rivals are scheduled to appear in 2011 when Audi will unveil their Q3 model, followed shortly by Saab and its 9-4x. The other premium automakers, Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti, are also expected to launch similar models in the near future.

The X1 currently costs at least 9,000 euros less than the other premium SUVs and will soon go head-to-head with the MINI Countryman, a vehicle with similar capabilities and expected to be priced in the same range.

At BMW, the X1 currently ranks fourth overall in the brand’s European sales after the 3, 1 and 5 Series models. Worldwide, the X1 is BMW’s No. 5-selling model, a ranking that should improve once U.S. sales start next year.

As BMW’s head of sales, Ian Robertson, mentioned as well, many customers have transitioned from the first generation BMW X3 which is being replaced by the end of this year.

Furthermore, BMW is seeing many customers coming from other non-premium brands, including Ford, VW and even Lancia.

In the U.S., BMW is expected to initially launch two models, X1 xDrvei28i and the twin-scroll turbocharged xDrvei35i.

1. BMW X1 44,067
2. Audi Q5 43,660
3. Volvo XC60 29,616
4. Land Rover Freelander 20,138
5. BMW X5 16,565

Source: JATO Dynamics

[Source: Auto News ]

The Deep Sea Blue paint made its debut last year on the new BMW E89 Z4 Roadster and it is one of the most stunning colors we have seen on a BMW.

Today, we have some new photos of the same color, this time featured on the BMW X1. Introduced last year, the BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle replaced the X3 as the entry-level model in the premium mid-compact SUV segment. Launched initially in Europe,, the BMW X1 is coming to the North American market in early 2011 with a variety of engines and options.

For the U.S., BMW will introduce the 28i and 35i models, in a rear-wheel drive and xDrive configuration. While there is no confirmation on a diesel engine, we certainly expect to see one of the award winning diesel turbos coming across the ocean.

Despite initial criticism and less-flattering reviews from Jeremy Clarkson himself, BMW’s CEO Norbert Reithofer, confirmed once again the success of this new X-model and the breakthrough into a new segment that focuses on a younger demographic, highly active, but still appreciative of performance.

“The BMW X1 has significantly exceeded even our own ambitious expectations: Since its introduction last fall, we have delivered more than 36,000 units to customers. “Among these customers are plenty of younger people for whom BMW was not a serious option before.”

The X1 is part of the latest BMW design language and some design cues are imported from the new 7 or 5 GT.

Last year, BMW introduced their latest addition to the X-family: BMW X1. The new Sports Activity Vehicle replaced the X3 as the entry-level model in the premium mid-compact SUV segment. Launched initially in Europe,, the BMW X1 is coming to the North American market in early 2011 with a variety of engines and options.

For the U.S., BMW will introduce the 28i and 35i models, in a rear-wheel drive and xDrive configuration. While there is no confirmation on a diesel engine, we certainly expect to see one of the award winning diesel turbos coming across the ocean, most likely, the 2.0 liter turbo diesel that powers the xDrive23d model in Europe or the 123d.

In a statement to stakeholders released yesterday, BMW’s CEO Norbert Reithofer, confirmed once again the success of this new X-model and the breakthrough into a new segment that focuses on a younger demographic, highly active, but still appreciative of performance.

“The BMW X1 has significantly exceeded even our own ambitious expectations: Since its introduction last fall, we have delivered more than 36,000 units to customers. “Among these customers are plenty of younger people for whom BMW was not a serious option before.”

The Joy campaign proved to be quite successful in reaching out tho this younger demographic and the use of the powerful social media certainly played an important role.

If the X1 continues up this ascending slope, it could certainly become one of the most successful Sports Activity Vehicles designed by BMW.

And Mister Clarkson is back……In its usual language and writing style, Clarkson takes another stab at BMW and as expected by us, he is very much so against the BMW X1, just to put in a few nice words.

Not built for everyone, the BMW X1 came to the market to fill a gap, an entry level SAV that is highly fuel efficient, and that replaces the X3 at the bottom of the X-family. Not the most fun car to drive nor the most spacious, but with a defined demographic, especially in Europe.

With this being said, let’s see what Clarkson had to say:

I felt BMW might be able to pull off a bit of a winner, then. It had learnt some lessons with the woeful X3 and it really has got styling worked out these days. Plus, BMWs are almost always better to drive than any of the cars with which they compete.

Sadly, I was to be disappointed. First of all, the X1 looks like a Hyundai that’s been subjected to a thousand years of wind erosion. It’s dreary. And it’s much the same story on the inside, where you are greeted with lots of extremely scratchy plastic and almost no equipment at all. You want a built-in sat nav system? Well, tough.

Rigid ride? Seats less comfy than Ford Galaxy?

It’s very uncomfortable as well. The ride is much too rigid and the seats are very nearly as firm as those fitted to a Ford Galaxy. Which means they are hard enough to shape diamonds. That’s nice if you actually want to shape diamonds, but if you just want a comfy place to sit while you go home, the X1 won’t do.

Off-road work? Well, yes, there is a four-wheel-drive version, which should be all right on farm tracks and the like, but the car I drove was fitted with something called sDrive. That sounds exciting. It sounds like the sort of system Captain Scarlet would have used to fight the Mysterons. But no. For some extraordinary reason, sDrive means rear-wheel drive.

…but he likes the RWD

Now I like rear-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive makes a car feel better balanced than front-wheel drive, or even four-wheel drive. It’s right that the front wheels do the steering and those at the rear the propulsion. It’s why BMWs always feel so proper. But I can’t see the point of such a system in a tall car with the engine from a canal boat under the bonnet.

And here comes the slam..1 out of 5 stars

It robs space, adds cost and means that if we get another snowy winter, you won’t even get out of your drive. I fear the marketing men have insisted this car has rear drive even though it makes no sense at all. The whole package doesn’t, if I’m honest.

If it were a book, it would have no plot and a stupid cover and it would fall to pieces in the sun. But it isn’t a book. And neither is it a car. It’s rubbish.

Now this is all fair game and clearly, once again, this is not a car for everyone and we have not yet fully embraced it either, but what we would really wanted to see from Clarkson was a comparison against the competitors, a far more logic approach before the guillotine is sent down.

Full article at Times Online

The BMW Group will also produce its X1 Sports Activity Vehicle in China in the future. “The BMW X1 could be one of the first products for our new plant in Tiexi in the Shenyang region. We are currently exploring this possibility together with the authorities here in China,” said Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG Norbert Reithofer in Beijing on Wednesday. The facility currently builds BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series models for the Chinese market.

Following the launch of the new 5 Series, a successor to the 5 Series Long Wheelbase version will also be produced and sold only in China. Production of the new vehicle will begin in autumn of this year. The Long Wheelbase version of the 5 Series has proved extremely successfully in China, with more than 70,000 vehicles sold since 2006.

In light of the promising opportunities for growth, the BMW Group will continue to expand its presence and its purchasing activities in China over the coming years. “We are confident that this market will continue to see strong growth over the next few years. Our goal is to participate in that growth over the long term,” Reithofer explained. “With our new plant in Tiexi, we will be increasing our production capacity in China to 100,000 vehicles a year from 2012 on. Over the long term, we anticipate the two plants having combined potential for as many as 300,000 vehicles a year – depending on market trends. We may realistically need this potential over the long term”.

The BMW Group announced that it would build a second production plant in China in November 2009. The investment volume for the new plant amounts to a total of 560 million euros; the BMW Group and its partner, Brilliance, will each defray half of this amount. Construction work is scheduled to begin in early June 2010, with the start of production slated for 2012. The expanded capacity in Shenyang will create a total of around 1,000 new jobs. 600 new employees have already been hired and are currently being prepared for their roles.

China is currently the BMW Group’s fourth largest market worldwide. Last year the BMW Group sold more than 90,000 vehicles in mainland China. In the first quarter of 2010, the company increased deliveries by 106% to reach a total of 34,179 vehicles. “China is, and will remain, one of the most attractive automobile markets in the world,” added Reithofer. In 2002 – before the plant in Shenyang was built and opened in 2003 – the BMW Group’s retail volume in mainland China was just under 6,700 vehicles.

According to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), a total of around 478,000 premium automobiles were sold in China last year. The Association estimates that the market for premium vehicles in China will grow to more than 1.5 million units a year by 2020.

Resource-efficient production plays an important part in the BMW Group’s sustainability strategy and at the Shenyang location also. Through rigorous optimisation of its production processes, the existing plant in Da Dong reduced energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions alone by 12 percent and water consumption by as much as 40 percent between 2008 and 2009.

One of my personal vehicles coming out of the Munich gates in the past year or so, is the new entry-level premium compact SAV, BMW X1. Taking over the reins from the X3, the X1 is being marketed as “Joy” vehicle, a fun automobile that will attract a younger demographic.

Launched in Europe last year, the X1 is said to haves exceeded the sales projections and the feedback from customers has been on the positive side. The North American market will see the some X1 variants in 2011.

Continuing our run of test drive reviews, here is one from Motor Torque published a few months back which gives us a better understanding of what X1 stands for and its mission statement.

BMW X1 market

BMW say currently it is the only ‘premium’ compact Sports Activity Vehicle currently on sale in the UK although the Audi Q3 and the baby Land/Range Rover will be competitors in the future. Once the range has additional specifications added around 6,500 of them should be sold in a full year in the UK.

Owners of the current Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan , Ford Kuga and down-sizers from the BMW X3 are likely customers an but BMW think 65% of sales will go to conquest customers.

Just over half will opt for sDrive two wheel drive models, a pattern already set by other brands of medium sized, 4×4 appearance vehicles who are finding that two-wheel drive variants, because of running costs, are more popular.

The five door, five seat X1 certainly takes its styling theme from other X models in the BMW range but it is less obviously a bulky 4×4 or SAV to attract a car audience. It has a softer styling so as not to put potential owners off buying a 4×4 type vehicle.

BMW X1 on-road and off-road

The great thing about all BMW X models is just how well they drive on the roads under all conditions. There is none of the body roll, choppy hard and non compliant suspension characteristics.

Road holding, grip and steering is almost as sharp as most of their passenger cars. The X1 drives like a really well sorted sports estate, despite it extra height and weight.

During the first UK media test driving in the absolute top of Scotland, lashed by gales and high winds, the on road driving with huge amounts of standing water was safe and sure even in rear wheel drive form.

Add the xDrive all wheel drive function and the vehicle was even better especially when it came to long sections of rough stone tracks and very wet gravel sections such as you might find on a rally.

—–
For: Size, choice of two or four wheel drive models, softer exterior styling over a conventional SUV, brilliant on-road handling in all conditions, comfortable, relatively well priced

Against: Poor interior quality in places

Continued here