Spy Shots: BMW X1 varies little from concept
by John Neff on Mar 16th 2009 at 3:31PM 
BMW X1 spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
BMW unveiled the X1 Concept at the 2008 Paris Motor Show to our bewildered eyes, and spy photographers have just surfaced with photos of the production version that do little to address our concerns for this littlest of soft roaders from Munich. As you can see, the production version will hardly differ at all from the concept, which means the swollen nose from the new 7 Series remains, along with all the surface pinching and odd details that we were so not fond of in Paris.
Styling aside, we question whether there's a market for another BMW sport or crossover utility vehicle, considering that the brand is already loaded with the X6, X5 and X3. The X1 also appears just plain redundant being so similar in size to the X3. That said, it will be built on the same platform as the 3 Series and offer a heaping helping of BMW gas and diesel engines, so it should be the Ultimate Driving Honda CR-V.
[Source: KGP Photography]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
rsfourever 3:36PM (3/16/2009)
really, i mean what's the point? it doesn't even look like an SUV (or CUV or SAV or whatever). it looks like a station wagon. just get a 3-series wagon...
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Mr. Smith 3:57PM (3/16/2009)
Plus, 3-series wagon looks better, drives better, and probably cheaper to run.
Snark 4:41PM (3/16/2009)
The point is that AWD and ground clearance are desirable attributes for a lot of people. A station wagon is as useless to me as a crossover is to you - because I'm willing to bet that I drive in deep snow and on bad roads more often than you do by far. Why should those of us who regularly deal with bad roads have to compromise on our needs because you can't handle change. I wouldn't buy this, but if you're interested in a smallish BMW and want a crossover, this would fit a lot of people's needs. Why does it bother you so much that the traditional vehicle types don't work for people any more?
Sean 3:39PM (3/16/2009)
What the crap?
They apply camo patterns like I apply wrapping paper to Christmas presents.
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revaholic 3:39PM (3/16/2009)
Very redundant, but I don't think it looks as bad as the concept. The main thing that made the concept look horrendous was the COLOUR.
Same goes for the 5er GT....if BMW had rolled it out in something other than metallic vomit, it might have looked a bit better.
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300C 3:41PM (3/16/2009)
So when will be expecting the X2, X4, and X7?
Come on BMW, enough already!!!
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JF 3:41PM (3/16/2009)
"it will be built on the same platform as the 3 Series"
You mean like that one vehicle that's already built on the 3 Series platform, umm, oh yeah, the 3 Series Wagon?
What does this do better than the wagon again?
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Jesse Fuller 3:45PM (3/16/2009)
One of the things i liked about the X3 was that, even in the days of the iDrive's conception, it didnt have it. Although the X1 might acquire said technology, im hopeful it won't... or at least let it be an option...
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Luis 3:50PM (3/16/2009)
When is the last time you used iDrive? I played around with the new system two weeks ago and it was very easy to use. I haven't used MMI or any other such systems, but the new iDrive seems very intuitive.
Jesse Fuller 3:59PM (3/16/2009)
I own a 2008 BMW M3 Coupe sans iDrive. Before I bought one, I tested a Sedan with it... though i admit it's a lot better than my dad's old 2003 745li, it's still an all-round general hassle. If I want to do something, I want it done now rather than go thru several menus. No doubt the the 2009 7-Series system will be a lot more user-friendly... I just doubt i'd prefer it over several dozen buttons.
a 3:48PM (3/16/2009)
looks like a sick man just got done barfing.
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carguy 3:54PM (3/16/2009)
That's one long hood, very little passenger room and then a sloping hatch to reduce cargo space. Yet another answer to a question nobody asked.
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futurama 6:09PM (3/16/2009)
i agree. and it looked quite ugly as a pointless concept.
Milan 3:55PM (3/16/2009)
What a pointless car...
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Aki 3:55PM (3/16/2009)
I used iDrive a couple months ago, and it was still trash. Diehard (newer) BMW fans keep insisting the new iDrive is great, but it's still clunky, unintuitive and a general pain in the butt.
I still think this isn't as bad as the X6, or other "crossover" ideas coming from BMW. At least it looks like a CUV.
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ramen 4:17PM (3/16/2009)
That wide mouth lower air dam looks like this:
http://www.spada.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jeremy-clarkson.jpg
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GTX 4:18PM (3/16/2009)
Fugly!
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k.w.a 5:35PM (3/16/2009)
So all jokes aside, does anybody know what the point of the X1 is???
The X5 is bigger, but I thought that was just to make more room between that and the X3. The X3 is not that big and even if they make it bigger, I still don't see the point of there being something smaller beneath it.
I know every brand is expanding nowadays but I find it hard to beleive that BMW is just erroneously building crap with scrap metal just to widen its stable. Can anyone explain what's going on at BMW????
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Shiftright 5:39PM (3/16/2009)
Hopefully BMW will offer the swirl pattern appliques on the production versions to hide the uglyness of the car. Maybe they could even make some much needed extra cash by licensing it to Porsche for the Panamera
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P.V. 5:42PM (3/16/2009)
Yikes. I really didn't like the concept at all. The proportions were all completely wrong everywhere; also, the interior didn't look very inviting at all. Furthermore, I have a feeling that this will be even less comfortable and have even less boot space than a 3 Series SEDAN.
Also, what's the point of calling it the "X1" if it won't even feature xDrive (AWD)? BMW's nomenclature is nowhere near standardized any more.
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