BMW X1 from $43,500

BMW Australia has announced lower-than-expected prices for its new X1 compact SUV, which remains on target for an April 10 launch here.

As expected, BMW will release the X1, which was recently awarded a maximum five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, with two all-wheel-drive diesel models – the xDrive20d ($52,700 manual, $54,900 auto) and the auto-only xDrive23d, which lands here under $60,000 at $59,280.

In between, BMW has announced a $56,800 pricetag for the all-wheel-drive petrol-powered xDrive 25i, while the rear-drive sDrive20d diesel will also bolster the range with a sub-$50,000 manual price of $49,300 ($51,500 auto).

However, in response to strong early demand, BMW says it will expand its Australian X1 range with the entry-level rear-drive sDrive18i petrol model, priced from a sharp $43,500 (manual) and $45,700 (auto).



The sDrive18i is powered by a more advanced 110kW/200Nm version of the 100kW/180Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that drives the 118i hatchback, which opens BMW’s Australian range at $38,900 (manual) and $41,100 (auto).

Featuring fully variable Valvetronic management, variable double-Vanos camshaft adjustment and an adjustable intake system, the X1 sDrive18i is claimed to accelerate to 100km/h in 9.7 seconds.

In contrast, BMW’s top-shelf petrol X1, the xDrive25i auto, runs a 160kW/280Nm 3.0-litre inline six that is said to deliver a 7.9-second 0-100km/h time.

Along with the rear-drive sDrive20d diesel, which returns official average fuel consumption of just 5.3L/100km, the premium xDrive25i and entry-level sDrive18i models will join the xDrive20d and xDrive23d diesel AWD models previously confirmed for Australia.

Built in Leipzig and based not on the 1 Series but the 3 Series Touring, the E84-series X1 will command a $4600 premium over the equivalent 1 Series at base level, rising to $6210 for the top-shelf X1 xDrive23d.

While the X1’s first direct competition will come from Audi’s all-new Q3 and the Range Rover 'LRX' in 2011, BMW’s smallest SUV currently is the X3, which opens from $62,200 for the X3 xDrive20d auto.

2010 X1 prices:
sDrive18i manual	$43,500
sDrive18i auto	$45,700
sDrive20d manual	$49,300
sDrive20d auto	$51,500
xDrive20d manual	$52,700
xDrive20d auto	$54,900
xDrive25i auto	$56,800
xDrive23d auto	$59,280