bmw-x1-lead

BMW Group Malaysia officially launched the new BMW X1 in downtown KL this morning. The second-generation F48 X1 is available here as an sDrive20i, priced at RM279,800 OTR without insurance. Only one CBU variant, for now.

BMW’s smallest SUV was revealed in June and made its public debut at the recent Frankfurt motor show. Between those dates, we drove the newcomer in Germany and Austria, and reckon that the smallest X is the best of its kind, thanks to more conventional SUV looks, a well-appointed cabin, improved space and segment leading driver’s appeal. Full review here.

The new X1 is 53 mm taller (1,598 mm now, seating position 40 mm higher) and at 1,821 mm, is 23 mm wider than before. While overall length has decreased by 15 mm (4,439 mm), rear legroom is up by 37 mm. There are gains in boot volume as well – up 85 litres for 505 litres, expandable to 1,550 litres by folding down the 40:20:40 rear bench.

BMW X1 Msia Launch 29

The space gain is thanks to the new front-wheel drive UKL platform with transvesely-mounted engines. Less length on the engine bay, more length for the cabin.

The altered shape is also more SUV, less wagon (original E84 was based on the E91 3 Series Touring and looked like a raised estate), and brings the baby SAV in line with bigger siblings X3 and X5. Our X1 sDrive 20i is in Sport Line trim, which comes with gloss black/body colour exterior trim instead of silver/aluminium for the alternate and more rugged xLine. Auto LED headlights and 18-inch double spoke wheels (225/50 run-flat tyres) are standard.

The X1 sDrive20i is powered by a twin-scroll turbo 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine with 192 hp and 280 Nm of torque. Like the same engine in the 220i Gran Tourer MPV, which the X1 shares a platform with, it is paired with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox sending power to the front wheels.

Performance is decent. 0-100 km/h in done in 7.7 seconds, while top speed is 225 km/h. Claimed combined average fuel consumption is 5.9 litres per 100 km. There’s also auto start-stop and Eco Pro to help with FC.

BMW X1 Msia Launch 1

Debuting in Malaysia, BMW ConnectedDrive in the X1 offers BMW ConnectedDrive Services & Apps, which allows the use of the BMW Online internet portal via a SIM card in the car, as well as the integration of smartphone apps. It include Intelligent Emergency Call (accident assist), Concierge Services (PA on the road) and Remote Services (control the car remotely via BMW Remote App).

Intelligent Emergency Call and Concierge Service is linked to a regional BMW ConnectedDrive call centre. The service is free for three years from the date of registration. It cannot be retrofitted to existing BMWs as the entire system is factory-fitted.

There’s also a parallel parking assistant that measures potential spaces (below 35 km/h) and steers the car into the slot (you control the gas and brake pedals), and BMW Navigation Professional with 6.5-inch screen and iDrive. The two front seats are electric with memory.

Exterior colour options are Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, Chestnut Bronze and Mediterranean Blue. The cabin’s Dakota leather upholstery and theme can be had in black or Mocha. Both come with the same piano black trim with red accents, making the brown interior less than cohesive. BMW now offers five years unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service.

Read our review of the second-gen F48 X1. For detailed spec, head to the X1 page on CarBase.my.