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BMW will unveil its new entry-level SUV at the Paris Motor Show tomorrow. The BMW X1 sets out to provide buyers with a high-riding alternative to the 3-series Touring and Munich insiders hint the five-seater will be priced to compete directly with well-specified versions of the Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan when UK sales get underway in early 2010.
Officially BMW is describing the X1 as a concept, but that’s only because it’s being shown more than six months before launch. B...Read the full article

Ew! Ugly isnt it?

I thought the X1 was going to be based on the 1-series? and a further model called X3 would be based on the 3-series? This model name would suggest that no smaller SUV will be made, well at least not with a BMW badge.

Interesting, but if it crosses over with the Volvo XC60 on price and unless it is an amazing drive, it would be another occasion where I might be tempted to go Volvo instead of BMW (most recently I went Volvo V50 instead of BMW 3 series Touring).

It's all a bit X5/X3 mini-me.  I like the fact they are downsizing, but where is the originality?  Price is somewhat ridiculous too.  For a vehicle supposedly part of the 1-series range, where does the figure of £25k come from?  As it states, prices will be £1500 more than equivalent 3-series touring models.  Huh?

 It makes the Kuga and Tiguan seem like the bargains they aren't...

Just what the world needs, another SUV. What with this and the X6, anyone could be excused for thinking BMW has lost the plot.

brakedust:

anyone could be excused for thinking BMW has lost the plot.

They have, they have........ At least this is the first application of the snub nosed 1 series front that actually works, rather than, as it does on the 1 coupe and convertible, but not the bread van, look like something a kid made out of match boxes. 

 

 

When me and my mates were kids round 12, 13 we loved Bmw's we always wanted one when we got older, the 3 series 7 series back then were great us kids loved them much more then mercs. Now we have grown up and are 21 we hate the new BMW's apart from a select few (x6 m5 335d), the new models are just made so they make more profit and none of there cars have any soul like the old ones. 

Now we Love Mercs they are making some great cars and a lot of young people love them and the old man image has gone.

stopitjon:

As it states, prices will be £1500 more than equivalent 3-series touring models.

 

 

Like  to think anybody with an ounce of common sense would buy a 3 Series touring over one anyway - in everyday usage, the 3 would do everything better. 

 And please Autocar don't make it a "Paris Show Highlight" -  it just won't be!

 

 

 

wow that is sure ugly.  why would anyone but that chinese looking thing.  i thought the chinese x5 rip off was bad, but this one beats it hands down and this is from BMW.

I'll wait to see it in the metal before I make my mind up but it looks pretty good to me from most angles, much better than the X3. The question is how much is the EU pedestrian legislation affecting front end styling?

Do we really need this? The X3 is small, not that great to drive, and is digustingly cheaply appointed on the inside for a BMW. So I dread to think what this one is going to be like.