BMW releases X1 (2009): teaser pictures and video

By Peter Adams

First Official Pictures

05 June 2009 16:00

UPDATED: BMW has just released video of a partially disguised X1 testing in Majorca

BMW has released four teaser shots of its forthcoming X1 on a Facebook page dedicated to the mini-SUV. The X1 won't be officially unveiled until the Frankfurt motor show in September 2009, but BMW has been cranking up the publicity machine for its new 4x4 since a concept X1 was shown at Paris last year. CAR's Georg Kacher drove a prototype X1 earlier this year (CAR, May 2009) and in the past few days BMW has also released official shots of the car clad in the company's infamous psychedelic disguise. Now the hallucinatory paintjob has gone, and we've been given some close ups instead.

The new X1 will use familiar 3-series architecture, but will be taller than the Touring, shorter than the saloon, and wider than the coupe. The X1 also beats the 3-series Touring for leg- and headroom, and has more space in the back. And at 1450kg for the lightest X1, it’s 130kg lighter than a 318d Touring.

The X1 will be available with a 2.0-litre diesel (with either 175bhp or 201bhp on tap), or a 268bhp 3.0-litre petrol. A 2.0-litre petrol and a lower-powered diesel should arrive in 2010.

By Peter Adams