Jeremy Clarkson on BMW's X1: It isn't just bad, it's 'rubbish'

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, BMW, Humor, Luxury

2010 BMW X1 - click above for high-res image gallery

Most of us weren't too thrilled when we first saw the BMW X1 last year in Frankfurt. The reasons were many and varied, but they can basically be lumped into one of two camps. First up is the aesthetics camp. Cries of "ugly" cropped up in the comments faster than they would have in a Susan Boyle Playmate layout.

While BMW's particular brand of crossover design has never been anything but controversial, we think the X1 looks pretty much okay. But the second, and maybe more vocal camp, can best be summed up as, "Why?" As in why would BMW bother? According to Top Gear ace Jeremy Clarkson, they shouldn't have.

No stranger to stinging reviews, even of BMW products (here's Jezza calling the 335 a "dog turd"), Jeremy really seems to particularly dislike the new X1. He hates the ride, the interior, the name (sDrive in particular), the diesel motor and the way it drives. Is there anything he likes about the small crossover? In a word, no. Read his scathing Times Online piece for yourself.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 BMW X1

[Source: Times Online]

Jeremy Clarkson on BMW's X1: It isn't just bad, it's 'rubbish' originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LEAKED: High-res shots of 2010 BMW X1 hit the information superhighway

Chris Paukert — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Spy Photos, Crossover, BMW

2010 BMW X1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Although it is isn't slated to be officially revealed until this fall's Frankfurt Auto Show, it feels like we've been seeing the wraps come off BMW's X1 baby crossover for years now. Thanks to a steady stream of spy shots over the last 18 months or so, we feel like we ought to be able to tell you not only the shape and size of the glovebox, but the material its walls are made of. Regardless, these are the first official shots of the X1 that have leaked out on the web, apparently because of German magazine FOCUS online.

As we've already seen almost all elements of the X1 already, the final shape doesn't surprise us, which appears much like a shrunken X5 mixed with styling cues from the bull-nosed 7-Series, 5-Series Gran Turismo, and of course, last year's X1 Concept.

The inside is typical Bimmer fare as well, with a sober but handsome and well-screwed-together look. The usual accoutrements are present in the photo models' driver oriented instrument panels, including iDrive, USB ports, and thumb-shifters for the automatic.

We're already tired of BMW's awkward model naming conventions, but regardless, the CUV is expected to launch in Europe in xDrive18i and xDrive 18d configurations, along with an xDrive20d model whose 177 hp diesel is apparently good for 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, an xDrive23d model with a 204 hp oil-burner (0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds, top speed of 139 mph), as well as the xDrive28i, which is apparently good for 143 mph. No word yet on what models we'll see in the U.S. just yet, but we'd be surprised to see anything less powerful than the xDrive28i in Stateside dealers, and we'll keep our fingers crossed for a diesel variant.

According to current scuttlebutt, the X1 will launch in autumn exclusively paired with all-wheel drive, but rear-wheel drive versions are expected to come on line soon thereafter. Check out the gallery below and keep checking back with us for further details as they become available.

Gallery: Leaked 2010 BMW X1 Images

LEAKED: High-res shots of 2010 BMW X1 hit the information superhighway originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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