BMW's smallest crossover… uhm… Sports Activity Vehicle… is not renowned for being the prettiest model on BMW's catwalk. The good news is that the X1 has just undergone a facelift but the potentially bad news is that an ugly duckling to swan transformation doesn't appear to have taken place here.
Granted, it is a mild nip and tuck, the front end receiving a new front apron, revised headlights with LED daytime running lights, redesigned alloy wheels and some new paint colour options in addition to other minor tweaks.
The big news is on the engine front. Following the recent release of pictures of the US-market X1, BMW has spilled the beans on the global version, which sadly does not have a 225kW 3-litre turbopetrol version.
Nonetheless there are still some exciting engine derivatives to look forward to when the range reaches South Africa in September this year - BMW SA tells us there will be five engines to choose from.
Most notable for diesel-heads is the xDrive 25d, which replaces the 23d and comes equipped with a new 160kW 2-litre twin-turbodiesel that puts out 160kW at 4000rpm and 450Nm from 1500rpm. Says BMW, it'll sprint to 100km/h in only 6.8 seconds and (under very different driving circumstances) sip 5.9 l/100km on the combined cycle. Uniquely in its segment, this engine is available with BMW's eight-speed automatic transmission.
The 25d will be available in four-wheel drive xDrive form only while the less powerful 20d will be sold as an x and sDrive (rear-wheel drive). The 20d is good for 135kW at 4000rpm and 380Nm from 1750rpm, and consumption is listed at 4.9 l/100km for the s and 5.5 l/100km for the x.
There are no changes at the top of the petrol ladder, the 28i x retaining its 180kW/350Nm 2-litre turbo mill, but the 20i s and x models (previously naturally aspirated) receive a milder version of this engine. This one pushes 135kW from 5000rpm and 270Nm from 1250rpm, BMW claiming a 7.4 second 0-100 and 6.9 l/100 for the s model.
The bottom model continues with the naturally aspirated 2-litre engine, which has 110kW and 200Nm on tap. As before you can only have this as a rear-wheel drive 's'.
The X1's subtle mid-life tweak also extends to the cabin and changes here are limited to a new centre console that's angled towards the driver and refreshed interior trim, surfaces and controls. The X1 is also now available with two trim themes for the exterior and interior, namely Sport Line for those seeking a sportier touch and xLine for those wanting a more robust appearance.