BMW X1 gets new force-fed engines

Familiar on the outside, beneath the bonnet is where the big change is.

Familiar on the outside, beneath the bonnet is where the big change is.

Published Jun 28, 2011

Share

BMW's relentless drive to push down consumption and emissions now sees it extending the compact X1 SAV range with the addition of two new highly efficient versions, powered by petrol and diesel.

The petrol-powered sDrive20i gets BMW's all-new down-sized four-cylinder engine with TwinPower turbo technology, comprising a supercharging system according to the twin scroll principle, and direct fuel injection.

The engine pushes 135kW between 5000 and 6250rpm and 270Nm between 1250 and 4500rpm. Hardly a big drinker (at least on the EU cycle) this model sips as little as 7.1 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, thereby emitting 165g/km. An all-wheel drive xDrive20i will also be available.

The diesel version, called the sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition, is the most efficient BMW X model ever, with (claimed) combined fuel consumption of just 4.5 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 119g/km - not much more than what a small diesel hatch spews out.

It's no slouch either, with 120kW on tap between 3250 and 4200rpm and 380Nm on hand between 1750 and 2500rpm. The four-cylinder motor has TwinPower turbo technology, comprising a supercharging system with variable turbine geometry.

Other efficiency aids on both the 20i and 20d include brake energy regeneration, an idle-stop system, on-demand control of ancillary components and tyres with low rolling resistance.

However, there's more to the latest X1 breed than just better efficiency as engineers have optimised the suspension and product planners have extended the range of optional equipment, including a real-time traffic information function for European markets.

Related Topics:

bmw