| BMW is leaving nothing to chance when it comes to | | | | lane departure warning; front, side and side curtain |
| its line of sport/utility vehicles. Unlike other | | | | airbags; dynamic brake control; and active head |
| manufacturers who are cutting back even abandoning | | | | restraints. Priced from the upper 30s, a fully optioned |
| this once popular and highly profitable vehicle | | | | BMW X1 will retail for about $50,000 which will be |
| segment, BMW is introducing its fourth line, the X1, | | | | about the same price as the all new Audi Q3 its chief |
| an SUV that is smaller, lighter and much more fuel | | | | competitor, though slightly higher than the |
| efficient than most SUVs in its class. | | | | Volkswagen Tiguan. |
| By adding a fourth line of SUVs, BMW is signaling that | | | | Styling Shared With The X3 And X5 |
| it believes that customers are still interested in a | | | | The exterior of the X1 borrows the same styling |
| vehicle that can get the job done on the road and, if | | | | cues used in the X3 and X5 with the hallmark long |
| need be, be taken off the road. Based on the same | | | | BMW hood and unmistakable bimmer front end. |
| platform underpinning its 1-series line of cars, the X1 | | | | Customers who have already been sold on the X3 |
| will be powered by a standard 2.0L I4 gas engine | | | | will appreciate the X1's generous size doors as well as |
| paired with six-speed manual or automatic | | | | its huge liftgate and surprisingly abundant storage |
| transmissions. That arrangement should help the X1 | | | | area. BMW hopes to not only to bolster its conquest |
| break the 30 mpg highway barrier, but it could be | | | | sales of other brands, but encourage current bimmer |
| that a similar sized diesel engine will have the greatest | | | | devotees to consider its newest and most fuel |
| appeal for customers as BMW estimates that its 2.0L | | | | efficient SUV line. With a diesel option being made |
| diesel will achieve about 45 mpg on the highway. | | | | available, the X1 will appeal to both to the customer |
| Rear Or All Wheel Drive Available | | | | who want the practical side of a sport utility vehicle |
| Available in either rear or all-wheel-drive, the X1 seats | | | | as well as the fuel efficiency of a potent, yet |
| five passengers and will take over the entry level | | | | economical engine. |
| SUV market currently occupied by the X3. For its | | | | By adding the X1 to its fleet, BMW expects that this |
| part, the BMW X3 will be moved slightly upmarket | | | | move will help it hold off Mercedes for luxury brand |
| with standard trim levels raised accordingly. The X5 | | | | supremacy while offering a good option to the Q3, |
| and X6 round out BMW's sport utility vehicle line. | | | | which is fast gaining Audi's latest offering. |
| Inside, the X1 will be fully equipped with the most | | | | Competition among the German luxury brands is |
| current navigation system offered as standard | | | | fierce which means that customers win as each |
| equipment along with a panoramic sun roof, leather | | | | manufacturer seeks to outdo each other in building |
| seating treatments, first class audio system and all of | | | | passenger vehicles customers really want. |
| the usual BMW safety features including brake assist; | | | | |