Has the U.S. auto industry finally hit bottom? U.S. will get a new small SUV from BMW--and perhaps a new mini Miata. Plus, we take you for a ride in a really nice car that could be so much better.
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The BMW X1 will come to the U.S., slotted beneath the X3 as a utility stablemate to the 1 Series.
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(Credit:
BMW of North America, LLC )
BMW confirmed today that its BMW X1 crossover SUV will debut in the United States during the 2011 calendar year. The X1 will be available in rear-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive flavors powered by both gasoline and diesel power-train options.
BMW's X1 crossover slots below the X3 in the model lineup.
(Credit: BMW of North America, LLC )In Europe, the X1 will be available in six trim levels, from the 258 horsepower, straight-six gasoline powered X1 xDrive28i to the turbodiesel X1 xDrive23d, which produces 295 pound-feet of torque. BMW isn't telling which, if any, of the European power trains we will see in the North American X1, but the press release makes special mention of the X1 sDrive18d, which reaches an estimated 54.3 mpg (EU standard), so we think it's safe to assume that at least that variant will make the hop across the pond.
BMW cites "U.S. market demands, fuel prices, and regulatory standards" as factors in its decision to bring the crossover vehicle to U.S. shores.
At the 2008 Paris auto show, BMW unveiled its new crossover SUV for the 1-series, the BMW X1. But does the world really need another BMW crossover?
The 1-Series gets the X-factor.
(Credit: BMW)At its management board meeting powwow in Munich yesterday, BMW shed some light on its plans for future models, revealing that it plans to launch four new models by 2012. According to Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management at BMW, the new models include:
- The BMW X1, a mini SUV, which will presumably be based on the same platform as the 1-Series coupe that is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. next year.
- A four-door Gran Turismo sedan, based on the BMW CS concept from this year's Shanghai auto show.
- A coupe version of the Rolls Royce Phantom.
- A "sports activity vehicle" from Mini.
Dr Reithofer also suggested that the BMW is in the market for a fourth brand, although he said that none of the prospects that BMW had looked at to date have met the business criteria for an acquisition. Amid the usual boardroom jargon, he outlined BMW's plans for improved profitability and capital efficiency, as well as an EfficientDynamics approach to business that would yield the company "More output from less input."
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