VIDEO: F48 BMW X1 shows off newfound ruggedness

The international press drive of the new BMW X1 has just concluded, and you’ve read our test drive report from Austria; now Munich has released the official launch film of its second-generation compact Sports Activity Vehicle.

The storyline for the video is pretty predictable for a junior SUV targeted at the young and adventurous, and it features a trio of good looking friends heading out to the seaside from the city, in the new X1. From sea level, they take the F48 up a hill on a gravel trail. Nothing too serious in terms of terrain, of course.

The new X1 looks the part in the active lifestyle portrayed in the video. The F48 is shorter than its predecessor, but taller and wider than the wagon-like original. The new shape is finished with bold features for a substantial and handsome overall image, one that fits perfectly in the X range.

The car in the video is the xLine, which emphasises the new X1’s more rugged, traditional SUV outlook with matte aluminium kidney grille bars, matte silver accents for the air intakes, side skirts and underbody protection at both ends.

The alternative look is the Sport Line, which replaces the xLine’s silver bits with black or body colour. M Sport, with an aggressive aero kit and exclusive Estoril Blue exterior option, will be available.

The much-improved cabin of the F48 is rendered in earthy tones for the xLine, and we see “Mocha” Dakota leather and Oak Grain matte trim here; the latter is unpolished and looks posh. The Sport Line car we drove in Austria has aluminium trim with red accents (and yards of red stitching) on a black cabin.

We think that the X1’s new looks, improved cabin, and focus on space/practicality gives it plenty of showroom appeal. It drives well too, as you can read about here. Coming to Malaysia in the final quarter of this year.

F48 BMW X1 driven in Austria

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Toshio on Jul 20, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    So far so good with the x1. Seriously, on paper it seems like a better buy than the current x3, but then again they’ll just have to raise the bar for the latter in its next iteration. The fwd platform shouldn’t matter for people shopping for a family SUV, especially if the xDrive version is available as an option.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
    • Areyousure on Jul 20, 2015 at 6:38 pm

      Agree with you. As long as the cabin is spacious enough should be a good choice on the shopping list. Who needs a bigger trunk, should buy sedan or MPV instead.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
      • karam singh on Jul 20, 2015 at 8:12 pm

        The reddish / dark brown interior with wood trim looks much2 better than the silver trim with red line..
        Still I prefer more GLA styling of the AMG 45.
        sorry fellow bimmers. It looks good, but the typical Bimmer styling bored me.
        Old Merc also bored me until Merc change their looks entirely.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • sick&tired on Jul 20, 2015 at 8:07 pm

    hipsters high on acid!?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • seancorr (Member) on Jul 20, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    Price it on par or cheaper than the current X1 we have here with decent spec and we will have a winner.

    The 5 year warranty + FOC service will further seal the deal.

    With all these improvements, I’d say the next gen X3 will be in good hands and will fare a lot better since its one of BMW’s core models (RWD line up)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • sudonano (Member) on Jul 21, 2015 at 10:13 am

      I think they should do an sDrive18i and the xDrive20i, with the sDrive being around the 190k, the critical market of when you are at a top end Japanese car.

      It is the same reason why the 1 series sold quite well this time, base price close to a top end Japanese sedan, just about 15k more than the list price of a Golf.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Jul 20, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    buy GLA better

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 6
  • Is the x1 bigger or smaller than a cx-5? Any car experts here compared the interior/exterior dimensions? Tq.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • FUGLY 7 SERIES on Jul 21, 2015 at 6:19 am

    SUCH A FRESH AND NICE LOOKING CAR COMPARED TO IT’S PREDECESSOR. GOODBYE FUGLY AUDI Q3 AND MERCEDES GLA.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • FUGLY 7 SERIES on Jul 21, 2015 at 6:20 am

    SUCH A FRESH AND NICE LOOKING CAR! GOODBYE FUGLY AUDI Q3 AND MERC GLA!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Josh Ling on Jul 21, 2015 at 1:14 pm

    the more i see it, the more i feel like xLine accessories complement the exterior of X1 the best. looking the sharpest too!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required