Developing developments: BMW 1-series cute 'ute still planned
We've been trying to avoid reporting on the rampant rumor mongering that seems to take place every month in some of the European buff books. One month you'll have tales of a new rear-engined V-Dub, while on the other end of the newsstand you can read all about the supposed new flagship from Skoda. Don't get us wrong, there are a few mags from across the pond that we devour, but some are the automotive equivalent of the Weekly World News. Autocar can sometimes be more the same.According to Winding Road, the UK pub reports that BMW is hard at work on a 1-series-based cute 'ute to take on the LR2s of the world, complete with four- or six-cylinder engines – petrol or diesel -- and likely sporting an X1 badge on the boot.
Proof that development is underway comes via a BMW employee that claims to have seen a Honda Element hanging around the R&D facility in Munich. As our friend Paukert points out, that isn't anything to get too excited about, until you understand that Honda doesn't sell that particular vehicle anywhere near Germany. It could be for research purposes or it could be because that particular engineer has a thing for toasters on wheels, regardless, we're sure to hear more as BMW expands into other niches.
[Source: Autocar via Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
iamhoff 4:51PM (4/28/2007)
I thought the X3 was the natural competitor to the LR2 (along with the RDX, Infiniti EX, etc.). Wouldn't an X1 be a Fit/Yaris-class CUV?
Reply
Sandeep 4:58PM (4/28/2007)
@1: That's what I was thinking too. Unless they plan on making the X1 a better off-roader...
Reply
Mike 6:12PM (4/28/2007)
My X1 wishes:
Small and light weight with a low Cd (not a 2+ ton brick)
Latest and greatest safety features
Efficient turbo diesel engine that still does 0-60 under 7.5 seconds
Smooth ride with nimble handling
MSRP under $35k
Reply
JarryHames 11:18PM (4/28/2007)
If only they can get the X3 right. So far it looks like most people aren't impressed.
Reply
Ken 2:01AM (4/29/2007)
#4, I am sure its different in other places, but the X3 seems to be 'common' around here. I see as many of them as 3 series.
Even if it isn't the best vehicle, BMW is in the business of selling cars, and it seems it is doing that.
Reply
nagmashot 2:05AM (4/29/2007)
#1 the BMW 1series is much larger as a Yaris, Fit...
BMW 1series 4227mm length
Toyota Yaris 3759mm length
A BMW 1series has the length of a Hyundai Tucson.
Reply
iamhoff 11:48PM (4/29/2007)
#6,
I meant Fit/Yaris class in the sense of a proportional relationship. I couldn't think of an SUV that I thought would compare on a size basis, but yeah, the Tucson is about right. Or somewhere between the Suzuki Vitara and the SX4. Either way, not as much of an LR2 competitor as the X3.
Reply
Steve B. 3:27AM (4/30/2007)
4227mm is 166.4 inches. That's almost exactly the size of both the second generation Toyota Rav4 (the four-door, not the shorter wheelbase two door, for those in countries that offered them), and also nearly equal to the size of a Jeep Cherokee XJ (1984-2001)
Reply