BMW X1 F48

After the German concern has successfully realized its first project (almost 730 thousand X1 E84 crossovers were sold), it has started production of the second generation cars.

The presentation of the BMW X1 F48 took place in early fall 2015. It took place at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A month later, its sales in Europe began. This car Germans assembled on the conveyor belt of the plant located in the city of Regensburg.

The main feature of the model is the UKL1 platform. It is front-wheel drive, so in the lineup of X F48 became the first such crossover. Plus the motor of the car is located transversely. However, the crossover is available in all-wheel drive (xDrive) and mono-wheel drive (sDrive) versions.

Appearance

A quick look at the X1 F48 will allow you to catch the following main details of the BMW body: a stylish bumper with wide air ducts located on its edges, a beautiful grille with vertical webs, squinting LED optics (the height of the “angel eyes” has been slightly reduced) and “fog lights” under it. At the stern you can note stylish lights, original bumper with “fog lights” and two exhaust pipes with chrome tips, located on the edges. On the drooping roof there is a fin, and massive wheel arches and disks BMW X1 F48 R18 (17, 19) with a unique design look great from the side.

The body is dominated by a flying profile with flowing lines. Therefore, there are no pointed corners. Note that in the exterior of the X1 F48 there are almost no chrome elements, and the lower body parameter is protected by a plastic frame. The crossover is offered to consumers in four design variants. These are the M Sport, Adventage, Xline and Sport Line packages. And a little about the dimensions of the BMW X1 II F48. In length, the parketnik stretches to 4.44 meters. The width of the car is 1.82, height – 1.61 meters. Wheelbase of X1 F48 is 2.67 meters. The ground clearance of the car is 183 mm, weight minimum/maximum – 1.43/2.17 tons. In other words, X1 F48 became slightly taller and wider than X1 E84, but lost in length, ground clearance and wheelbase.

Interior

The interior color scheme depends on the selected package. Finishing materials are of high quality. “In the base” – pleasant plastic with good textile. In expensive configurations – leather Dakota with natural oak. There are no claims to ergonomics. The console is turned to the driver. The CD changer is at the optimal height, the multimedia monitor is at the level of the windshield. Therefore, there is no need to reach for the first device, and the second one does not distract the driver from the road. Let’s add good noise insulation.

The multimedia has a 6.5-inch screen (optional 8.8). The three-spoke multi steering wheel is a bit puffy and has controls. The dashboard is informative. On the tunnel there are iDrive joystick with “handbrake”. Behind the retractable curtain there is a niche for change. Climate control for two zones, there is an active “cruise”.

The interior of the second-generation BMW X1 F48 crossover is more comfortable for passengers. The seats of the first/second row are set 36/64 mm higher than in the E84 parkette. According to motorists’ reviews, this makes boarding in the X1 F48 more comfortable. Front seats have a lot of adjustments and side support rollers. The driver’s seat has a memory function, so 2 positions he can memorize.

Two passengers will be comfortable in the rear, the middle one will be uncomfortable due to the protruding tunnel with air ducts. There is a lot of space in all directions in the rear. For example, for legs it has increased by 37/66 mm in “base”/option. For an additional fee you can get 130 mm longitudinal adjustments. It is also possible to adjust the angle of the backrest of the 2nd row. In the option, the rear sofa is 3 parts, which are not connected in any way. Each of them can be separately folded and/or moved forward/backward. All you have to do is pull a lever.

The absence of a rear shelf for storing small things is compensated by door recesses. The speakers are below the shoulder (in the E84 – below the knees). The front seat does not need to be moved forward to install a child seat.

The BMW X1 F48 has a trunk volume of 505 liters (plus 85 liters compared to its predecessor). If you fold down the rear sofa, the size of the compartment increases to 1,550 liters. An additional option is a folding front passenger seat. It will allow to transport long-size cargoes/stuffs. However, due to the low lift of the seats, it will not be possible to get a perfectly flat floor.

Equipment

The interior gets GRID fabric trim as standard. The X1 F48 is equipped with:

• Front/side airbags;
• There are two rows of safety curtains;
• “Fog lights.”
• LED head-mounted optics;
• i-Drive multimedia with a 6.5-inch monitor and six speakers;
• Dual-zone climate control;
• Heated front seats;
• Heated exterior mirrors/washer nozzles;
• Light/rain sensor;
• USB/AUX interface;
• R17 light alloy wheels with RunFlat tires;
• Auto stop functions;
• Power unit restart buttons (Start/Stop);
• Parking Attendant;
• Indicator that monitors tire pressure, etc.

The alternative to the “base” is richer equipment. The consumer will get aerodynamic M-package, blue body paint (exclusive), disks R18/19, more expensive interior trim.

XLine. In this package, the buyer will get R18 light alloy wheels in 569 style (Y-spoke), but other wheels are also allowed. The radiator grille comes with 7 vertical slats that will be combined with air intakes and side covers that protect the sills/bottom of the crossover. The seat upholstery will be in brown/black colored fabric/leather. The glossy version will have decorative trims in black with chrome striping. The cabin will have dual-zone auto air conditioning and will have cruise control with brake assist.

Sport Line. R18 light alloy wheels in 568 (Y-spoke) style are expected. The radiator grille will have eight vertical slats. Sport seat upholstery will be leather with red/gray accents. The interior will have dual-zone air conditioning and leather sport steering wheel.

M Sport Package. The richest configuration of the crossover. Assumed alloy wheels R18/19 in the style of 570/572 M. The striking profile of the BMW X1 F48 M Sport is given by the aerodynamic dodger, while optimizing airflow along the F48’s bodywork. The upholstery of the front sport seats will be Alcantara fabric with blue accent. The interior will feature a transmission lever with the “M” logo and white/orange backlighting, plus a leather sport steering wheel.

The standard head unit in the crossover is a small monitor. It can be changed in BMW X1 F48 to NBT with a widescreen. New useful functions are added, and an addition to it can be a joystick with a touch screen, which will facilitate navigation.  A more serious head unit can also be fitted, the NBT EVO X1 F48. The main difference from the standard NBT is the presence of Interface Design 5. The driver can synchronize the crossover systems with the iDrive controller, monitor and microphones.

Technical specifications

Now let’s break down the technical specifications of the car.

The first models were equipped with five four-cylinder (2 gasoline and 3 diesel) power units. A little later, three-cylinder engines were available, petrol B38 and diesel B37. All engines met Euro-6 emission standards.

First, let’s see what kind of gasoline engines the BMW X1 F48 has.

The 18i Sdrive models were equipped with 136-horsepower engine B38 with a volume of 1.5 liters. It allowed the crossover to accelerate to “one hundred” in 9.7 seconds and move at a top speed of 204 km/h. Average fuel consumption per 100 km is 5.1 liters. The engine with 1.5 gasoline has low fuel consumption and good dynamics, but the opinions of motorists say that they give preference to two-liter installations.

BMWX1 II F48 20i xDrive / sDrive crossovers were equipped with a two-liter 192-horsepower unit B48. With this engine, the car accelerated in 7.5 seconds and moved at a maximum speed of 224 km/h. Fuel consumption is 6.3 liters. A two-liter 231-horsepower unit B48 is mounted on 25i cars. Acceleration of the car took 6.5 seconds, “maximum” – 235 km/h. Fuel consumption – 6.5 liters.

Now diesel units, too.

The X1 F48 16d is equipped with a 1.5-liter 116-horsepower unit B37. Acceleration of the car is 11.1 seconds, “maximum” – 190 km/h. Fuel consumption is 3.9 liters.

BMW X1 18d F48 was equipped with a 150-horsepower engine B47 with a volume of 2 liters. It allowed the crossover to accelerate to “one hundred” in 9.2 seconds and move at a top speed of 205 km/h. Average fuel consumption per 100 km is 3.9 liters.  The 20d crossovers were equipped with a two-liter 190-horsepower unit B47. With such a motor, the car accelerated in 7.6 seconds and moved at a maximum speed of 219 km/h. Fuel consumption is 4.5 liters. A two-liter 231-horsepower unit B47 was mounted on the 25d cars. Acceleration of the car took 6.6 seconds, “maximum” – 235 km/h. Fuel consumption is 4.7 liters.

The engine BMW X1 ii F48 18d xDrive combines with a 6-speed “manual”. Other models are equipped with an 8-speed automatic.

The size of the fuel tank is 61 liters.

The car was equipped with two suspensions: front independent (MacPherson) on double wishbones and aft multi-lever suspension. The steering wheel had Sevrotronic adaptive steering. All chassis were equipped with ventilated disc brakes with ABS system.

Crossover tuning

So far, the BMW X1 F48 has not had a restyling. When there will be updates is unknown. Perhaps it will happen in 2019.But you can get an updated 2018 BMW X1 F48 with tuning as well. You can reprogram the ECU. Adjust the modes of its operation. This is called chip tuning of the F48 X1.

As a result of the update the car has:

• The torque output of the powertrain is increased;
• Fuel consumption is reduced;
• The performance of the gearbox is improving.

Chip tuning X1 F48 20d 150 hp allows you to increase the power of the motor up to 40% and more! Of course, everything here depends on the factory programs and additional equipment. Tuning BMW X1 F48 increases power due to more precise adjustments of the engine and the supply of the working mixture. In addition, the logic of the gearbox operation changes. Switching occurs at lower engine speeds. And the lower the engine speed, the lower the fuel consumption.

Here are some figures to make it clear what tuning gives.

Let’s say you have an X1 F48 crossover with a two-liter 190-horsepower unit and you’re not happy with it. Chip tuning will allow you to get a gain in power/torque of 68 hp/120 Nm. This will greatly affect the acceleration dynamics.

The factory firmware allows from idle/s 2000 rpm – 8.5/7.9 sec. After tuning, the figures will change to 6.7/6.3. That is, the crossover becomes faster by 1.8/1.6 sec.

Problems

There are no serious problems with the BMW X1 F48. However, it is worth noting some minuses. The crossover has poor noise isolation in wheel arches, heavy steering wheel at parking, rigid suspension (it is felt on bumps), rear view camera with sills are open for dirt. Also the supercharger control valve screens are quickly clogged.

However, the main disadvantage is the high cost of the car.

Comparison with competitors

The “Bavarian” has several competitors. Among them is the Volkswagen Tiguan. Here we want to sort out which German car is better. The comparison will involve all-wheel drive models with a two-liter engine running on gasoline.

BMW is more powerful (192 vs. 180 hp), it accelerates faster (7.4 and 7.7 sec.) and is 20 kg lighter (1615 and 1636). The Bavarian also wins in fuel consumption, 6.3 liters vs. 8 liters. It has more than 20 types of body styles, while Volkswagen has only 14. Transmission type in X1 is 8-speed “automatic”, in Tiguan – 7-speed “robot”.

The advantage of the Volkswagen is the price. It’s almost 400,000 cheaper.

Generations

2 generation