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If these barely disguised prototypes look familiar to you, it’s no surprise: This BMW X1 was already shown at last year’s Paris auto show under the rather unimaginative but BMW-typical “Concept X1″ moniker. Now BMW is testing prototypes on the Spanish island of Mallorca and releasing some details as the car is readied for its official launch later this summer. This will be BMW’s fourth size of SUV—sorry, “SAV”—after the X3, X5, and X6.

The elderly X3 is having an increasingly difficult time in a changing marketplace that now includes the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLK. The X5 and X6, on the other hand, have been getting flak for their politically incorrect appetite for fuel—even before BMW, in a somewhat incendiary move, added the over-the-top X5 M and X6 M.

Smaller than X3, but Only Slightly

To send out a good vibe to more socially minded SUV lovers, BMW has chosen to launch a smaller, lighter, more-efficient ute. Based on the company’s small rear-wheel-drive platform, shared with the 1-series and 3-series, the X1 is about 600 pounds lighter than the current X3.

The X1 tips the scales at about 3300 pounds, which is impressive, considering that all-wheel drive is standard, and that its exterior dimensions are not far from those of the X3. The X1 is 5 inches shorter in length and height and 2 inches narrower. We figure the next-gen X3 will grow slightly to better accommodate the X1 in the range.

Thanks to its lower profile, the X1 looks sportier than the X3. More important, with its lower center of gravity and lower weight, the X1 promises to handle and accelerate better as well. Inside, the dashboard resembles that of the 3-series, betraying that BMW dug into the corporate parts bin.

The Old Country’s Engine Buffet

Thanks to that vast parts bin, the X1’s engine choices are restricted only by marketing considerations, and not platform limitations. In Europe, the X1 will start as the xDrive20d and xDrive23d using two variations of the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine, rated at 175 hp and 201 hp, respectively. The xDrive28i—powered by the naturally aspirated, 3.0-liter straight-six rated at 261 hp—will also be available at launch. BMW will later add the xDrive18d and xDrive18i (both rated at 141 hp) as well as the 168-hp xDrive20i.

Performance will be passenger car–like, with the xDrive20d, 23d, and 28i topping out at 132 mph, 139 mph, and 143 mph; 0–62 mph takes 8.4 seconds, 7.3 seconds, and 6.7 seconds, respectively. Fuel economy is especially impressive for the diesel versions; the X1 23d gets 37 mpg in the wildly optimistic European cycle. BMW will later add a rear-wheel-drive version that gets over 47 mpg on that cycle. (EPA fuel economy numbers likely would be lower by about 30%.)

The X1 will be offered in Europe starting at about €30,000—that’s roughly €5000 less than a comparably equipped X3 and equivalent to $42,000. The undisguised model will stand at the Frankfurt auto show in September, with sales beginning shortly thereafter. BMW promises the X1 will come to the U.S. as well. It will be interesting to see how pricing is affected by production location, since the X1 will be built at the Leipzig, Germany, plant, while the next-generation X3 will be built alongside the X5 and X6 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This could result in well-equipped X1 prices approaching X3 territory, as is the case with the 1-series and 3-series today.

Aside from within the marque, there won’t be a lot of competition for this compact and sporty SUV. Closest will be the Volkswagen Tiguan and the upcoming Audi Q3, but the latter is still almost two years away.

Source (article): CARANDDRIVER

Source (pictures): CARANDDRIVER

Facing stricter fuel economy standards, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are considering bringing four-cylinder engines back to the United States.

BMW stopped offering four-cylinders in 1999 when its 318ti hatchback flopped. Mercedes-Benz had four-cylinder engines on the 2005 C230 and SLK230 but dropped them in favor of six-cylinder models.

BMW of North America is considering a twin-turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder gasoline engine for U.S. vehicles, said CEO Jim O’Donnell.

“The plans will be firmed up when we have definite news from Washington on what the fuel standards are going to be,” he said.

O’Donnell said the engine could be used in 1- and 3-Series cars and the X1 and X3 crossovers. BMW is designing the four-cylinder to have as much power as its current inline six-cylinder family, but with better fuel economy and lower emissions, he said.

One potential snag: The four-cylinder costs more to build than the six-cylinder family, and BMW would pass along that cost to consumers. O’Donnell said buyers may not be willing to pay more for advanced technology.

Mercedes-Benz is deciding whether to offer the four-cylinder diesel from the E250 Bluetec concept at the New York auto show this month.

The show car, based on the new E-Class sedan, has a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel with 204 hp and a fuel economy rating of nearly 40 mpg on the highway.

Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, said the E class may not be the right car for the engine in the United States. But, he said, it is well-suited for the C-Class sedan and GLK compact SUV and could be used in the current generation of both vehicles.

Source (article): MSN

Source (picture): BUSINESSWEEK