BMW India is on roll.

This is still the first month of 2023 and BMW India has already launched, not one, not two, but four new cars already and the fifth was launched 2 days back.

BMW India has launched the all-new BMW X1 sports activity vehicle (SAV) in the country in both petrol and diesel variants. The SUV will be locally produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai, and the booking for the car have begun. You can book one either at BMW dealership network or through www.shop.bmw.in The deliveries for BMW X1 sDrive18d M Sport (diesel) will start from March and for the BMW X1 sDrive18i xLine (petrol) from June.

The entry level SUV segment is really getting interesting. First, Volvo updated their XC40, with mild hybrid, then Audi bought in their much-awaited Q3, and now BMW, has gone all out with its X1. Or has it really?

Let’s find out.

But first, let’s put the prices in perspective-

BMW X1 sDrive18i xLine (petrol)- INR 45.90 Lacs

BMW X1 sDrive18d M Sport (diesel)- INR 47.90 Lacs

The team at BMW India tells us that these are introductory prices, and the prices will increase and are applicable for the initial booking only.

We had extensively covered the global launch here- BMW X1 Launched

On the outside, the X1 now has become visibly bigger, the grille has grown in size and overall, the X1 does feel SUVish. The front sport sleeker LED’s and as a segment first, get auto high beam assist. On the sides, the grab handles have been redesigned to sport a flush fit design and the almost squared off wheel arches give this SUV a butch stance. The roof rails are functional with multifunctional mounts. The rear is more dramatic as compared to the front, as the rear now gets signature 3D LED tail lamps, the tail gate window has become slimmer and finally now the X1 gets electric boot release. In both the X Line as well as M Sport variants, BMW has chosen to give 18-inch alloys, albeit with different designs.

On the inside too, just as the outside, the X1 feels fresh and radically different. The center of attraction has to be the digital curved display; however, it is a tad smaller in the X1 as compared to the other recent BMW’s. Having said that, what is nice is the cockpit has nice driver orientation, the center arm rest is floating, the AC Vents placement is very unique, presence of ambient lights and finally, at least the M Sport variant gets 12 speakers hi-fidelity Harman Kardon Setup.

Another notable new feature and segment first for the new X1 is the active front seats which now come with Massage Function, and now the rear seats move forward and aft to release more legroom at the rear. The boot space at 476 litre is sufficient enough to carry your luggage for the weekend trips. There are host of few segment first and few new features to this third generation X1, ADAS being one of them.

Do check out our Instagram Account to go through the key features

So, is everything great about this new X1?

I think, where we are visibly disappointed has to be the choice of engine/power options that BMW India has chosen to go with. While globally, both the petrol as well as diesel variants get more powerful engines, we in India have to makeshift with comparatively underpowered ones.

A, 1995 cc four-cylinder diesel engine powers the BMW X1 sDrive 18d M Sport which produces 148 hp and 360 Nm of maximum torque and the BMW X1 sDrive 18i xLine is powered by 1,499 cc three-cylinder petrol engine which produces 134 hp and 230 Nm of maximum torque. In our opinion, a car costing upwards of 60 lacs, the engine output does not do any justice to it. While, both the SUV’s come mated to fast shifting 7 speed Steptronic gearbox, and both the cars sprint from 0-100 under 9 seconds, but SUVs below the segment and in the segment, do have better power outputs.

We will be laying our hands soon on the third generation X1, and a detailed review will follow soon.

Till then, let us know in comments section, what did you love about this X1.

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