BMW X1 coming to America in 2011, diesel a possibility, up to 45.2 mpg (U.S.)

After weeks of teasing and even letting some European media drive prototypes, the crew over at BMW's Munich headquarters finally released all the goods on its newest and smallest crossover, the X1. The U.S. branch of BMW has also confirmed that the X1 will come to the U.S. market as well. European consumers will be able to buy the new X1 starting this fall, but Americans will have to wait until 2011 to get one.

When the X1 hits the autobahn it will have four engines available, including a normally-aspirated 3.0-liter gasoline inline 6-cylinder and three variants of BMW's outstanding 2.0-liter four cylinder diesel. The X1 is available with both rear and all-wheel-drive. The U.S. will almost certainly get the gas engine, but BMW North America is not ruling out diesels at this point. BMW will be watching the changing U.S. market, regulations and fuel prices and make a final decision on U.S. engine choices closer to the launch date. If we see gas prices above $4 a gallon and sales of Volkswagen diesels maintain their rapid pace, we could well see a diesel X1 here. The diesel powerplants in the X1 range from 143 hp and 45.2 mpg (U.S.) to 204 hp and 37.3 mpg on the EU test cycle.

[Source: BMW]

THE BMW X1 CONFIRMED FOR UNITED STATES IN 2011.

* 02.07.2009
* Press Kit

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey – July 1, 2009 ... It was confirmed today that the BMW X1 is planned to debut in the United States in calendar year 2011. The X1 has been conceived with the flexibility to offer traditional rear-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive configurations, as well as a wide variety of gasoline and diesel powertrain choices. In light of rapidly evolving US market demands, fuel prices, and regulatory standards, elements of the X1's US launch plan, including engine and drivetrain configurations, will be forthcoming closer to the time of launch.

The BMW X1 will debut in Europe this fall with a choice of four engines - one gasoline and three diesels - and will be available in rear-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive configurations. The X1 will set new benchmarks in the premium compact segment for efficiency, comfort, utility, and of course driving dynamics. Achieving up to 5.2 L/100km (45.2 miles per US gallon) on the European test cycle, the BMW Advanced Diesel-powered X1 sDrive18d will provide remarkable fuel efficiency while still achieving a top speed of 200km/h (124mph). Each drivetrain choice for the X1 will showcase the latest results of BMW's EfficientDynamics engineering strategy, which is focused to reduce emissions and consumption while enhancing the performance expected of any BMW.

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 83 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.