[parrys]

On the 14th of February 2013, BMW launched the X1 facelift in India. This X1 continues to be produced as a CKD at the BMW plant in Chennai.

Price: BMW X1 sDRIVE 20d (All India Ex-showroom)

• Base : INR 27,90,000
• xLine : 32,50,000
• Sport Line : 32,50,000

What's new:

• 8-speed automatic transmission.
• 2.0L diesel unit now produces 184 BHP of power along with 380 Nm of torque.
• 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds & an ARAI rating of 17.05 kmpl.
• Servotronic power steering.
• Standard BMW efficient dynamics include: Auto-start stop functionality with Eco-Pro mode & brake energy regeneration.
• Exteriors: Redesigned front and rear bumpers, recessed fog lamps, headlamps with LED corona rings, ORVM's now have integrated indicators, revised tail lamps.
• Interiors: Revised center console, silver accents on the steering wheel, black gloss finish around AC vents, top end trim levels offer a different theme.
• Available in a base diesel variant and 2 top spec variants - Sport Line & xLine.
• BMW secure advanced package available.

Exteriors:

New bumper design. Notice the turn indicators on the ORVM.


LED corona rings like the F10 and F30.


Revised LED tail lamps.


Side profile remains more or less the same.


Some of the silver accents on the xLine variant are present in gloss black on the Sport Line variant.


Panoramic sunoof.


17" star spoke style alloy wheels on the xLine and base variant.


The X1 Sport Line variant loaded with optional accessories.


Notice the high gloss finish on the grille as well as the bumper. Looks better than the silver finish in my opinion.


17" V spoke style alloys on the Sport Line.


Gloss black side skirts on the Sport Line (instead of silver, like on the xLine).


A secure way of carrying luggage. Genuine BMW accessory.


Black-chrome exhaust pipe finish for the Sport Line.


What makes the 2013 X1 more than just a cosmetic upgrade: A more powerful diesel engine mated to the 8-speed automatic transmission.


List of BMW accessories for the X1.

[parrys]

Interiors:

Silver accents on the dashboard and center console for the Sport Line and wooden trim on the xLine.


Sport Line gets red stitching on the steering wheel.


Piano black finish around the AC / stereo controls. The placement of the AC and stereo have been switched.


You can change the colour of the instrument cluster from the standard orange to white.


Gear lever common on all variants.


Key case : not part of the standard equipment.


Engine start/stop button.


i-Drive controls.


8.8" MID screen with an integrated HDD for maps and audio files. You can control your Facebook / Twitter accounts as well. BMW claims that they have the most accurate navigation system as of date.


Full black interior theme, electric seats with memory function.


Rear seats have adjustable recline. Prominent bump on seat + floor hump = uncomfortable 5th passenger.


Optional rear seat entertainment screen with DVD and other functions.

[parrys]

Some action at the event:

A short spin was arranged in the City of Cochin.


Shoot from 0 and brake hard once you reach the 1st cone : Braking test.


A fast dirt-road sequence.


Specifications:

[Rehaan]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line section to the Indian Car Scene. Thanks for sharing!

[SmartCat]

1) That roof box ought to be standard equipment - in all BMW cars. For carrying a spare wheel.

2) Finally a car company has managed to sell station wagons to Indian customers - by calling it a SUV!

[vb-saan]

Thanks Parrys for the report and excellent pictures

Originally Posted by smartcat

2) Finally a car company has managed to sell station wagons to Indian customers - by calling it a SUV!

A bit harsh
Its the case with most of the softroaders right (even with AWD)?

[agambhandari]

Originally Posted by vb-san

A bit harsh
Its the case with most of the softroaders right (even with AWD)?

But this one even looks like a Station wagon!
They seemed to have fixed most of the shortcomings but no discounts....at least for now :P

[EagleEye]

What a beauty! *drool*
But is it just me or are the interior plastics really not of good quality??

[revintup]

Originally Posted by EagleEye

What a beauty! *drool*
But is it just me or are the interior plastics really not of good quality??

Same thought here. But got to say the interior pics have not come out so well.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Finally a car company has managed to sell station wagons to Indian customers - by calling it a SUV!

This was my exact thought on Sunday night when I saw a couple of X1s parked on the road, opposite BMW's Worli showroom.

Originally Posted by EagleEye

But is it just me or are the interior plastics really not of good quality??

Definitely not up to the mark of a 30 - 35 lakh car, no.

Personally, I'd buy the 3 series any which day over the X1. Newer, better looks, more fun to drive, superior backseat and so much more.

[sparsh]

Nice review Parrys. The x1 does come with most of the bells and whistles. Its like a cross between a SUV and MUV and trying hard to please everyone. One thing which worked for the previous version of the X1 was the pricing, which was very attractive. Basically a person who wanted to buy the Skoda Superb/Camry could just their budget a bit and get to lay their hands on a BMW. Lets wait and watch the sales numbers and how the market responds to this facelift.

[djpeesh]

For some reason, the X1 has terrible handling. I drove it on the Sealink at speeds greater than the official speed limit (given the crackdown on speeding on the Sea Link I won't mention what speed) and boy, the steering was harsh, the car was skittish and well, didn't drive as a BMW should.

The interior plastics on the Swift are better (and soft touch) compared to those in the X1. And the rear legroom is horrendous. My colleague who accompanied me on the drive, said his A-Star had a more comfortable backseat.

So, if you want the BMW badge and a pseudo-SUV, then the X1 is great. For everything else, swipe your Mastercard elsewhere!!!

[riteshritesh]

Originally Posted by sparsh

Basically a person who wanted to buy the Skoda Superb/Camry could just their budget a bit and get to lay their hands on a BMW.

The Superb and Camry have much better of everything superficial, than the X1. This is ideal for a person, who wants to own a BMW badge and doesn't care for anything else. ( except the price)

[Bluebeem]

Never been a fan of the X1. The aggressive pricing on the previous X1 was the result of extremely poor sales. The X1 when first introduced in india was priced at approx 32.5 lacs for the highline. Poor sales resulted in the X1 corporate edition being Introduced and the only one that survived eventually. Being offered at 21 lacs (discounts additional if any).

Now imagine this. It's the same engine with a new gearbox. Same looks with a new paint job. Same interior with a larger screen and panoramic roof.

Who would pay 12-13 lacs extra for
1. iDrive
2. Panoramic roof
3. New gearbox.

To put this in perspective. Your choices are

1. Old X1 + INNOVA/XUV500/Chevy cruze

2. New X1 with the exact same engine/looks/interiors.

Might I add the X1 is quite a bad looking car.

[samarth.bhatia]

Thank you for the report, parrys. Well compiled.

This is one of the most ridiculous buys in today's market.
I agree with many of the above comments.
I can not see this as a value proposition, unless I start thinking of the New CR-V. Similarly priced, petrol, Japanese. For some it means more reliable. For others, the lesser brand, non German, etc.

For me? Why consider these Soft-roader-esque station wagons when there are more capable Sedans.

And may I say, if somebody must consider this range, do take a look at the Q3..

Cheers,
Sam