We are with the BMW X1.
The previous generation X1 has been selling in our country for 6 years and has gone out of date.
And now, as you can see, it is standing next to me with its new body.
The new X1, not only with its very different design that you observe, but with it’s new infrastructure, new engine and brand new interior looks very different.
Let’s see how well is the new X1 than the old one.
Let’s analyze it together...
First of all the design of the X1 is very different than the model it replaced.
The X1 that looked like a station wagon with high ground clearance in the old generation, looks like a real SUV as is.
I personally liken the new X1 to a small X5.
When you look at the X1 from the front it appears grander.
In this of course, larger kidneys and new design headlamps have a share.
When we look from the sides, we realize that there are not any large alterations.
The X1 has more ground clearance, and you understand that when you look at the roof.
Its length is less than before but it is still claimed that it offers wider living space in the interior.
Let’s see if it really so?
First of all, this place became widen visibly.
I can say that the knee room is very good.
I am 178 cm tall, and this is my ideal driving position.
As you can see, nearly a hand span knee room is offered here.
And my feet move comfortably under the seat.
On the subject of head room, as I have mentioned at the outside, due to the ascending of the car’s roof, very good headroom is offered.
In the matter of comfort and functionality, the rear seats of the X1 are very good.
In here there is a good armrest, and in it there is a lidded cubicle and also a place to put your cups.
However, more importantly, these rear seats are able to slide to and fro.
Even when I bring them to the furthest position, maybe my knees come near here but I can still sit.
Due to this, I can say that the boot capacity increases to a large extent.
Come on; let us look at rear of the car and the boot.
The rear of the more majestic X1 is now gander.
In here the big taillights stand out.
Furthermore, the duel exhaust outlets give some clues to the car’s power.
I will come to the subject of the car’s power in a little while.
Now, let me tell you what kind of loading capacity there is behind the boot lid.
First of all there is wide loading bay and it is low and flat.
You can load your big items here easily.
In here, 505 liters loading capacity is offered.
Further more, there is almost 100 liters extra room under the threshold.
Apart from this, to be able to incline the rear seats with one touch is one of the important features that increase its functionality.
This way the boot capacity increases up to 1550 liters.
What are we doing now? We are beginning the test drive part.
I’m taking off my coat and sit on the driver seat.
The fun part is starting now. Come on.
The interior of the X1 has brand new design just as the exterior.
Ultimately, the previous generation X1 has been on the roads for a long while and its interior had different design than the current BMW models.
And now, it is current, in other words it is similar to its siblings.
I can say that the quality of the material used here is very good.
You encounter soft plastic material wherever you touch.
In the matter of cubicles for small items, I think the X1 is quite generous.
Here in front of the gear lever there are two lidded areas.
You are able to put two cups there.
Furthermore, there is a very large space under the armrest and wideness inside the armrest is also not bad.
I can say that the X1 is very successful in the field of vision.
In this, of course wide glass surfaces have a share.
The interior is spacious and you can clearly see the surrounding areas when you look in front and when you look at the back.
I have previously said that the interior of the X1 has been widening even though its dimensions has been decreased.
Now, I will briefly explain how this is.
Some of you may know that the previous X1 was developed on the platform of the 3 Series and was rear wheel drive.
Therefore the engine was in the front and mounted longitudinally.
As for the new generation X1, it has taken form on the platform that has been developed for the Mini
and in other words on the infrastructure that the current BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is using.
In other words it normally has a front wheel drive structure.
Therefore the engine is mounted transversely in the front.
Due to this great change, there is no need for the engine department to be that big.
Because of this the A columns have been taken a bit more to forward.
Thus, the interior reveals itself to be more spacious.
Let us consider the engine and driving features of the X1.
I have tested this tax advantaged 3-cylider 1.5 liters engine previously, in the Mini Cooper and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.
I can say that it is a very good engine that satisfies the expectations.
As I have said earlier the 2-Wheel Drive versions of the X1 is now front drive.
Therefore you should know that if you choose 1.5 liters petrol engine, your X1 would be front wheel drive.
If you wish, you can also purchase the X1 by special order with 2.0 liters diesel engine just like the one I am testing now.
This 4-cylinder engine develops 190 HP and 400 Nm of torque
and can be purchased with the classic BMW's 8 speed automatic gearbox that we are accustomed.
You are able to imagine how powerful the engine is by just looking at the values.
I can say without hesitation that the engine performance satisfied the expectations explicitly.
Due to the powerful engine and the gearbox with short ratio and correct selected gears are working in harmony, good accelerations and high speeds are achieved.
This version, contrary to the 1.5 liters engine version is purchased with 4-wheel drive system.
Even though it is called xDrive, it is not continuous 4-wheel drive as it was previously
because this car now is a front wheel drive car.
If there is any power loss on the front wheels or spinning, than certain part of the power is transferred to the rear axle.
If you take this criterion into account, you might think that the X1 is a step behind the previous one.
But if you are not thinking of using this car off road excessively, I can say that you do not need the continuous 4-wheel drive very much.
The advantage of this is that as it normally advances as front wheel drive, it succeeds to control the fuel consumption better.
I have been driving the X1 for more than 300 km and at the moment the trip computer indicates to me 7.5 liters fuel consumption averages.
When you consider my driving style and the route I have driven, this value is not bad at all.
I think the suspension structure of the X1 is a bit firm.
But you should know that it definitely did not affect the comfort adversely.
The steering is a bit softer than the previous generation.
I can say that it will especially make the lady drivers happy.
I had no complains about the insulation.
Especially, due to the silent new engine and I guess with better insulation, you are able to have quite and comfortable drive here.
When you reach high speeds wind noise is heard in the cockpit even if just a tad.
According to some people the X1 does not carry the real BMW DNA.
But this does not mean that it will not achieve good things.
One that will have difficulty in the market is this version standing next to me with 2.0 liters diesel engine and price over 300 thousand TL.
But when you compare the 1.5 liters petrol engine with front wheel drive system version with the rivals,
I can definitely say that it is a very good alternative.
See you...