2015 BMW X1 found testing at Nürburgring

The 2015 BMW X1 may be still far from launch and while development of the vehicle continues, it was spotted doing laps at the Nürburgring. The new model, expected to be lighter and smaller than its predecessor, will get a host of changes apart from just styling.

The spy images suggest the new car will have an evolutionary new kidney grille to bring the looks in sync with the current crop of BMWs. Although, not much is evident from the images, the car looks to be carrying aerodynamic side skirts, body cladding and a tail-gate mounted spoiler. The test mule had a panoramic sunroof and a twin exhaust system.

The most prominent change on the 2015 X1 (internally codenamed F48) will be the shift to a transverse engine layout. The vehicle might be underpinned by the UKL platform that is expected to be the base for 12 future models of the German marquee. As a result the new X1 will be offered as a front-wheel-drive crossover with all-wheel-drive as an option.

It might also borrow motors from the 2 Series Active Tourer which could include a new 1.5-litre three-pot motor producing 134bhp/220 Nm and a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder churning out either 181bhp or 227bhp. Powering the diesel variant will be a 2.0-litre TwinPower turbo four-pot motor making 148bhp or 181bhp. Rumour mills indicate a plug-in hybrid variant as well as a powerful four-cylinder motor making 295bhp could be offered.

BMW’s India sales are highly driven by the X1 which shows how important a product it is for the company here. We can expect the X1 to hit our markets within six months of its global launch. In India though we might only get the diesel variant.

Source: WCF