BMW X1 – SAV Drives Like a Car
The BMW X1 is the latest addition to the BMW fold to make its appearance here. Launched late last year in Europe, it has finally made its way onto our shores, and when I first saw it here in the flesh, I had my own misgivings about it. Whereas all the new SUVs being launched seem to be sleeker and more aerodynamic, the X1 somehow looked a little out of place, as if it were more a wagon version of the 1 Series rather than a SUV. A slightly forward and downward sloping of the front bonnet would make the X1 a little more contemporary; the level bonnet and the pronounced front grille built along the lines of the 1 Series on a raised platform somehow makes it more car than SUV.
Built on a 1 Series platform, the X1 gains some height from a raised suspension and a resultant increased ground clearance, and a station wagon-like tail end to make it a SUV. BMW refers to it, and their entire range of such vehicles, a SAV, or Sports Activity Vehicle, wanting to differentiate its range from what we know as SUV or Sports Utility Vehicle. I wouldn’t argue with this terminology, as the X1 (and all the other X models of the BMW) is definitely for utility usage. Far from it – the X1, priced at RM299k, is a premium vehicle, positioned to fight the Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60, at least here in Malaysia. The true competitor to the Q5 and the XC60 is actually the X3, as the X3 size is closer to that of the Q5 and the XC60. Anyway, I will not argue about it – at least in terms of engine size and price, it is close enough to be compared.
On the road though, the X1 redeems itself – besides the fact that you cannot really see what it looks like when you are sitting inside the X1, it seems to be able to take all that I can dish out, even making me think it is taunting me with unspoken words like, “Is that all you’ve got?” “Give me more, push me harder,” it seems to say to me, taking every corner with ease, and making it through bends at speeds that would have other vehicles flying off into the greenery. BMW have always boasted that, “No matter which car we build, it must, first of all, drive like a BMW should.” With the X1, they have again not failed to deliver – it truly drives like a BMW, even with the increased height, and with a different body configuration, i.e. an additional tail section.
The secret really is clever use of different materials to try to maintain the claimed front-rear weight ratio of 50:50. Another well-kept secret is the X-Drive system, a computer-controlled drive allocation system that transfers drive from the rear axle to the front axles from zero to one hundred percent, to provide traction where it is needed most. The included traction control system transfers drive from the left wheel to the right wheel on any axle as needed. With the two systems working together, it would be theoretically possible to get all of the available power onto one wheel if it was deemed necessary – that is how flexible the drive system is. Of course in real life, the two systems would be electronically transferring drive power to the wheels that have the most grip, from front to rear, rear to front, and between the left hand side and the right hand side wheels, all automatically, to provide the X1 with the optimum grip at all times. In a previous test on the X3 and the X5, we made the vehicles go round a wet roundabout (made of traffic cones, for safety), starting off slowly and gradually increasing the speed – the objective was to see if the vehicle could hold its line without flying off at a tangent – and the X-Drive proved its worth every time. In fact we put ordinary drivers on the test, and where other vehicles would have stepped out of line, the vehicles with the X-Drive could stay on course.
The average X1 user is not likely to go buy some cones to carry out this test – people would think you are crazy to be going round and round in circles. The real benefit of the X-drive system would be when you are taking fast corners – it helps to keep you on the road. In wet weather conditions, when others encounter problems of vehicles losing grip, the X1 will see you through without any problem.
An added bonus that came with our test X1 was its four cylinder, diesel powered 2.0 litre engine. With an output of 177 horsepower and 350Nm of torque, it puts the X1 into the sporty category of this category of vehicles. Zero to 100 km/h is a highly respectable 8.6 seconds, and yet has a fuel consumption figure (under test conditions) of 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres. Cruising along at 140 km/h, the ‘spot consumption’ as shown on the on-board computer does indicate this figure when you are on a steady throttle. Pushed hard, (and push hard I did because I enjoyed it so much during my test stint) the X1 returned 9.5 litres per 100 kilometres, a figure I have no complaints whatsoever about. I do not expect that anyone buying the X1 would be diligently driving it gently all the time, but if he or she did, the 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres becomes a distinct possibility. A figure somewhere midpoint between 6.5 and 10 litres per 100 kilometres would be typical, and definitely achievable. Thus the X1 can be quite economical to run.
Power is transmitted to the road through all-wheel drive (AWD) and the automatic transmission has six speeds. Sitting at the wheel, you feel like you are driving a car, not a SAV; the light colour leather seats, and controls that look like they cam from either the 1 or 3 Series BMW all lend to the car-like effect.
The owner’s expectations of a SAV are also well met – you get the umpteen storage pockets for your knick-knacks, an increased sitting height, split and folding rear seats to provide that extra space for stowing bulky items, etc, etc. However, what is not lost is that ‘BMW’ luxurious feel of soft leathers, classy trims, premium instrumentation, a very quiet interior, and everything a BMW should be.
At the end of it all, I still cannot come to terms with the overall looks – but if I want to buy a powerful SUV or SAV, enjoy great driving dynamics, and still enjoy excellent fuel economy, I will very likely put looks aside, and go for it.
