It was in June last year when BMW first unveiled the all-new X1. The said model has now made its entry into the Indian market. Being assembled locally, at BMW India’s Chennai plant, the third-gen X1 is available in two guises – one gets its kick by petrol, whereas the other burns diesel for propulsion. Prices? Well, the petrol-powered sDrive18i xLine is priced at INR 45.9 lakh, whereas the diesel-fed sDrive18d M Sport demands INR 47.9 lakh.
If you buy the petrol variant of the new BMW X1, it’ll come with a turbocharged 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine that offers 136hp/230Nm. That can hit 100kmph from a standstill in 9.2 seconds and clock 208kmph flat out. On the other hand, those settling for the diesel derivative will get a turbocharged 2.0-litre powerplant that produces 150hp/360Nm. With that, the new BMW X1 can complete the standard sprint in 8.9 seconds and reach 210kmph at full stretch. Both engines come coupled with a 7-speed automatic transmission, but where the petrol variant can deliver 16.35kmpl, the diesel is good for 20.37kmpl.
In terms of features, both X1 variants offer almost the same. The list includes two-zone automatic climate control, auto headlamps and wipers, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic tailgate operation, adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The costlier derivative, however, does have more in its package that goes towards justifying the INR 2 lakh price gap. Creature comforts, such as active front seats, rear seat adjustment and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System, are part of that list.
The safety kit, however, is the same for both variants. Features like Attentiveness Assistant, tyre pressure monitoring system, electric parking brake, parking sensors at the front and rear, cornering brake control, a rear-view camera and Dynamic Stability Control, fill this segment.
So, there you have it. The all-new BMW X1 becomes a direct rival for the Volvo XC40, Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Mini Countryman and the Audi Q3. Out of the lot, which one would you drive home?
