BMW has unveiled the next generation of its X1 SUV, or as BMW calls it, ‘Compact Sports Activity Vehicle’. The all-new 2023 BMW X1 has grown in every dimension over its predecessor. The model, which initially used the 3-Series Touring as its base, has grown into a proper compact SUV.
Starting from the front of the car, the grille of the X1 is larger than ever. However, it is not even close to the one we see on the X7. The grille of the X1 also features a much more squarer design than before. The lower chin of the X1 now has a more chiselled look. Also, there are new headlights with an inverted-L light signature.
In terms of the side profile, it looks more in line with its bigger siblings, X3 and X5. However, compared to its siblings, the waistline tapers up much more dramatically. The rear wheel arch, in particular, is more pronounced than before. As always, we also get to see the Hofmeister Kink. At the same time, the lower end is clad in black plastic. A set of 18-inch wheels are standard, while 19-inch and 20-inch wheels are also available as an option.
The rear of the car features new three-dimensional LED taillights. At the same time, BMW extended the roofline and also gave it a prominent roof spoiler. Together with the low-roof rails and side air deflectors, it achieves a respectable drag coefficiency of 0.27.
There will also be new colours available. These include Blue Bay Lagoon, Cape York Green, Space Silver, and Utah Orange. The model will also be available with BMW Individual Frozen Pure Grey.
BMW claims the new X1 will have a lot more interior space to offer. It is possible all thanks to the car growing in size externally. The X1 now measures 4,400mm in length, up by 43mm. At 1,844.04mm, it is also wider by 22.09mm. It is also taller by 43mm, at 1,640mm. The wheelbase now is 2,692.4mm, 22.9mm longer than before. Additionally, the new X1 also has wider front and rear tracks. Both the front and rear track widths measure 1582.42mm, 20.3mm more than before.
Like all the recent BMWs we’ve seen, the new generation X1 also gets the BMW Curved Display. The Curved Display consists of a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The screens merge under a continuous glass surface and are angled towards the driver. You are in for some sad news if you love physical controls. The X1 will also get BMW’s iDrive 8 operating system, which focuses more on touch and control.
The interiors also get larger AC vents that almost cover the entire width of the dashboard. Lower down the dashboard, we also see a new mobile phone storage space. The storage place is also able to charge your phone wirelessly. The space also comes with a clasp to keep the phone upright and visible to the driver and front passenger. We don’t see a point in this since most would instead connect the phones via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
Other notable things are additional cupholders and the inclusion of four USB-C ports. Additionally, it also gets a 12V power socket in the centre console and the boot. Ambient lighting is also standard. A major difference in the centre console is the lack of a gear-selector stick. BMW has ditched this and gone for a toggle-type gear selector.
There’s a lot of tech on offer as well, such as BMW’s voice assistant, augmented maps, a digital key and also an interior camera. One can use the camera to view the inside of the car via the BMW app from home or take photos of the occupants on a journey.
For the US market, the X1 will ditch its front-wheel-drive powertrain. In addition to this, there will be only one engine option at launch. Also standard will be BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The sole engine option is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. The engine now utilises a miller combustion cycle. This leaves the intake valve open during part of the compression stroke, which allows the compression to take place against the turbo’s pressure rather than the piston. Other additions include a dual injection system and revision of combustion chamber geometry.
The 2023 X1 xDrive28i now produces 245 PS from 4,500 to 6,500rpm. Torque is up to 400 Nm between 1,500 to 4,000rpm. The only transmission option is a 7-speed DCT. BMW says the gearbox also optimises its shifts according to your route topography. That means it will know when you’re going uphill and hold the gears. Likewise, if you’re going downhill, it will coast. X1s with an M Sport package will also get paddle shifters and a ‘Sport Boost’ function. According to BMW, the function optimises the drivetrain and chassis for more immediate acceleration.
For the first time, an adaptive M suspension will also be available as an option on the X1 xDrive28i. The suspension drops the height of the car by 15mm and adds a quicker speed-sensitive steering rack. BMW says the standard front and rear axles weigh around 2.8 kg less than before. The company also developed them to mitigate torque steer.
At the rear, the suspension gets a three-link design. At the same time, there’s an additional preload for the anti-roll bar mounts. A change in wheel bearing design also helps minimise friction and weight. Something unique to the segment is a near-actuator wheel slip imitation. It allows the integration of traction control into engine management. This allows for up to ten times faster corrections.
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