Facelifted BMW X1 revealed

Subtle styling changes, new diesel engine options and new hybrid driveline attempt to boost the appeal of BMW’s entry level SUV

BMW has upgraded the second generation X1 with a series of subtle styling changes and new engine options as part of a mid-life facelift for the two-year-old SUV.

Among the changes is a new look front end that BMW says helps provide the X1 with a more individual look in each of its different variants – xLine, Sport Line and M Sport.

In line with other recent new BMW models, there’s a significantly larger grille that now merges in the centre as well as LED fog lamps that are set within the lower part of a reprofiled bumper.

As a running change, the 2019-model-year X1 also gets a passenger side puddle lamp, four new alloy wheel designs and the choice of three new metallic exterior colours – Jucaro Beige, Misano Blue and Storm Bay.

Additionally, BMW has upgraded all engines available for the X1 to the Euro 6d-TEMP and, in some cases, even more stringent Euro 6d emission standard in place in Europe.

It has also added two new diesel models to the facelifted X1 line-up in various markets.

Included is a new front-wheel drive X1 sDrive16d. It is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine developing 85kW and 270Nm of torque. Available with either a standard six-speed manual or seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox, it is claimed to deliver combined cycle consumption and average CO2 emissions of 4.1L/100km and 107g/km on the WLTP test cycle.

At the other end of diesel engine spectrum is the new four-wheel drive X1 xDrive25d, which runs a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 170kW and 450Nm. Fitted with a standard eight-speed torque converter equipped automatic gearbox, it boasts an official 0-62mph time of 6.6sec and 235km/h top speed along with combined consumption and CO2 emissions of 4.9L/100km and 128g/km respectively.

Not yet available but confirmed for production from March 2020 next year and likely to be added to the Chinese line-up next year is a new X1 xDrive25e model. It is powered by a newly developed gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain featuring a 9.7kWh lithium-ion battery that BMW claims provides a pure electric range of over 50km on the WLTP test cycle.