FIRST DRIVE ~ 2012 BMW X1 xDrive28i
Buy the X1 for value not just utilityOver the years I’ve heard BMWs touted as “the ultimate driving machine”, the “blending of luxury and technology”, but never as being “strong value”.
But this is how Manfred Braunl, BMW Canada president and CEO, described the 2012 BMW X1 xDrive281 compact CUV that is going to duke it out with the likes of the Acura RDX, VW Tiguan and Infiniti EX.
And while the X1 is all BMW in its drive and systems technologies, Braunl pointed out the X1 is the most fuel efficient vehicle BMW offered in Canada in addition to being the most affordable X-model available with a starting price of $38,500. That includes a very long list of standard features not to mention the cachet of having the BMW badge on the hood.
Pricing on the X1 is purposefully aggressive. The X1 is seen as a “conquest” vehicle, i.e., one designed to make owners switch brands across the spectrum.
Underlining the point is that the X1 is offered only in Canada not the United States.
It’s based on the 1 Series sedan, currently the smallest BMW you can buy. Smallest or not, it is way larger than the 3 Series Bimmers I owned in the early 1980s.
The X1 takes size even further especially on the inside. With the 40/20/40 split/fold back seats up, there is 420 litres of space which mushrooms to 1,350 litres with the seat flat with a 410 kg payload rating not counting a further 75 kg you can lash to the roof.BMW’s mantra is leading in any technology that is available to the auto industry and, of course, that begins with the engines.
The 2012 X1 is powered by a four-cylinder, the first time since the 318 “Compact” back in 1993. A few of us may remember that the 1.8-litre engine of the production cars was so stout, the block was used in 1.5-litre form during the “turbo years” of Formula One producing 1,100 hp.
The engine in the X1 is leading edge in every way. With variable valve timing, direct gasoline injection and twin scroll turbochargers, the 2.0-litre unit puts out 241 hp and 258 lb/ft of torque.
That’s the same kind of power and grunt of a big V6. It’s quick too with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds.
And the same time fuel consumption (premium) is rated at 9.2/6.4/8.0L/100 km city/highway/combined.
But I also equate turbos, not to mention those with all-wheel-drive, as being fuel thirsty which is not the case here.
Another reason for the lower consumption especially on the highway is an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s the first time I believe such a unit is available on a less than premium luxury vehicle, let alone one priced under $40,000.
You can bet we are going to see a lot more of this engine/transmission combination in the future.The way the two work together feels like a turbine with a CVT. Shifts are imperceptible at city speeds. At highway speeds it is the same thing until you stomp the gas to pass. There is no sensation of going down a gear or two. Only when shifting up under full throttle is there just the slightest nudge.
Ride and handling is what you expect from a BMW. The steering wheel relays a feeling of suspension tautness. Steering inputs are executed immediately with no rebound or deadness on centre which was a failing of many early all-wheel-drive systems.
The AWD in the X1 is BMW’s own infinitely variable xDrive permanent all-wheel-drive system. Integrated with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and engine management systems, BMW’s xDrive system can distribute up to 100 per cent of the engine’s power to the front or rear axles.
The DSC system also includes integral ABS, Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Brake Drying, Fade Compensation and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC).
In addition to the above, the X1 has hill descent control and a tire pressure monitoring system which you will be glad to have, as the X1 is equipped with run-flat tires.
Climbing into the driver’s seat is like old home week to anyone who has ever owned a BMW.
BMW calls the layout “driver oriented” but it is really about being simple in design retaining the same controls and gauges in the same places for some 40 years.
I could close my eyes and reach out and find the wiper and turn signal stalks in the same place as my old 1974 530i.
But don’t get the idea from that the X1 is somehow antiquated. To quote: if it ain’t broke…Actually the interior positively bristles with new technology one of which is a $300 option called BMW Apps. It is an interface for the Apple iPhone that allows web radio, Twitter and Facebook updates, an iPod out and, get this, will play videos when the X1 is in Park.
Another thing was the dreaded iDrive and option on the X1.
This, along with the Mercedes COMAND, was one of the drive nudge/twist/punch rotary controllers that could toggle through audio, information, climate control, navigation and the beat goes on.
I could never get it to work and the manual on how to operate it was almost as thick as the Bible.
BMW heard and has spent a lot of time, not so much dumbing it down, but making it more intuitive.
Heading to the lunch stop during the ride-and-drive, I took a more scenic route. To get the restaurant, my driving partner simply punched in the address and, bingo, the kindly digital female voice took us directly there.
The best part is the system has voice recognition so you can talk to it if you don’t want to bother fiddling with the switches.There is one model of the X1 but several option packages. There were six examples available for testing during the ride-and-drive priced up to $45,390 but it was loaded.
I thought a nice one was listed at $40,940 that included the $1,490 Premium Package (heated wheel, aluminium roof rails, panoramic sunroof, auto dimming mirror) and $950 for power front seats. Drop the seats and the X1 comes in just under $40,000.
And that, as BMW hopes to prove, is the kind of bargain that will make consumers think twice when it comes to their next CUV.
BODY STYLE: Compact CUV
DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, all-wheel-drive.
ENGINE: 2.0-litre DOHC twin turbo inline four-cylinder (241 hp, 259 lb/ft)
FUEL ECONOMY: Premium, 9.2/6.4/8.0L/100 km city/highway/combined
PRICE: Base, $38,500; Navigation, $2,000; Premium Package, $1,490; Convenience Package, $1,900; Sport Package, $1,500; BMW Apps, $300; Shipping fee, $1,995
