Taking the rough with the smooth – that’s life, isn’t it? BMW’s smallest X type vehicle, the X1, is more than capable of tackling some light rough-stuff or slippery surfaces. And the X1 is a gem to drive on the tarmac, too. The well sorted X1 chassis provides exceptional control for the driver who likes to press on and test the limits.

One of the nice qualities of the BMW X1 is that it mirrors the lines of the sexy, bigger, beefier BMW X6 down to a T. What the BMW X1 does is capture all of the nice low slung profile of the X6, match the detailing cues and reproduce it all in a smaller parcel – much like the BMW 3 Series echoes the 5 Series. It works tremendously well, and the BMW X1 is a very nice looking machine. A big paw print and coupe lines add to the small SUV’s sporty charisma.

All the BMW X1 engines fit under the 2.0-litre capacity, and this is a good thing, which is in keeping with the trend of other car manufacturer’s plans to keep the power rating up but the engine capacity down – all to lower overall fuel consumption. Try any of the BMW X1 models out, and there is no shortage of power. Even the petrol-fed BMW X1 sDrive18i is a willing performer, linking the 110 kW output to the polished six-speed manual gearbox as harmonious as the ‘Rhapsody Blues’. A swift acceleration test proves that the BMW X1 sDrive18i can sweep up the 0-100 km/h dash in less than 10 seconds.

At present, all other BMW X1 versions are diesel powered machines. A standard 2.0-litre turbo diesel provides a smooth 350 Nm of torque and plenty of power for lots of work. A tweaked version of the same engine boosts power to 150 kW and the torque output to 400 Nm. This is the machine for the drivers who like to pass all the traffic before them. It’s a capable blend of sporty flavour, accurate steering and plenty of grip. With a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 7.3 seconds, the BMW X1sDrive23d is a pleasurable way to see the countryside, and a great way to soak up the miles.

Buyers who get into the BMW brand know what they are after. As soon as you enter the BMW X1 cabin, the refined materials, and premium fit and finish let you know that this is a class leader right from the word go. Things like the door sill finishers with the BMW lettering in chrome, satin silver or high-gloss black interior trim, sensatec leather upholstery, automatic air-conditioning, a sports leather steering wheel and front armrests create that luxury edge. Interior noise is very well muted.

Tech geeks will like the high level of BMW X1 sophistication, with Bluetooth Communications, USB audio interface, a top five-speaker sound system, an automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror, rain sensor wipers and stacks of other geeky features available as premium BMW accessories.

I must say I do like the roof rail option. Clever interior design has made sure that every nook and cranny has been utilised for luggage space but if you want to go for a three week wander over Australia’s great country then the extra carrying capacity on the roof won’t go a miss. BMW’s roof rail system is called a base support system that can also have a bike holder attachment fitted. If you love the snow slopes, then the fold down central pad on the rear seats and the ski bag accessory will work wonders for you.

And for those of you who love the outdoors and who like to do a bit of tramping, skiing or cycling, the BMW X1 is the ideal vehicle for you. It’s impressively well built and cleverly designed, all to maximise your adventure fixations. Don’t need the bigger X5 space? Then you’ll love what the BMW X1 can offer.

The current BMW X1 models include the:

• X1 sDrive18i
• X1 sDrive20d
• X1 xDrive20d
• X1 sDrive23d

For any more information on the BMW X1 or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of BMW dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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