Offering a PHEV for the first time now, too.
With damn-nearly 300,000 X1s sold last year, German marque BMW is most certainly aware that their small crossover is not a model that they can afford to cock up. So for its mid-life update (or what they refer to as a ‘Life Cycle Impulse’) they’ve held back considerably, changed only what was necessary, and pushed the X1 back out into the world to continue to win sales battles and keep the heating on in Munich.
The 2020 BMW X1 sports a handful of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it visual updates like new bumpers, paint finishes, and an enormous new grille that keep it in line with the wider BMW lineup. There are also real exhaust pipes that are now 20mm larger in diameter (up to a maximum of 90mm), something that we’re sure will make someone happy somewhere. M-Sport models also gain a 10mm ride-height reduction, even more pronounced air intakes, and less brightwork around the place.
Step inside and you’ll see how BMW’s done their best to improve the materials employed and the build quality throughout, with new materials & upholstery available. There’s also an optional ambient lighting package that goes some way in lifting the ambiance inside to some degree, though the infotainment screen (which can be had as either a 6.5-, 8.8-, or 10.25-inch unit) has not been interfered with.
There are more major changes afoot under the skin, where BMW’s refresh of the X1 has included the fielding of a plug-in hybrid model for the first time. Dubbed the xDrive25e, it’s the first plug-in X1 that’ll be available globally, pairing a small 92kW/220Nm engine to a 70kW/165Nm electric motor. All-electric range is pegged to be around 50km on a full charge which may not sound like much but, in all fairness, is enough to cover the intercity commute for most owners.
The 2020 BMW X1 is slated for local arrival in the fourth quarter of this year, with the existing lineup of powertrains expected to carry forwards. BMW Australia is remaining mum insofar as confirming the new X1 PHEV for our market but, given that the local office has historically demonstrated a liking of plug-in hybrid versions, it’s entirely within reason to assume that the X1 xDrive25e will be available locally in the future.
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