Next BMW X1 moving to smaller, lighter FWD-biased platform
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-x1-spy-shots-0/"><img alt="BMW X1 spy shot" data-credit="CarPix" data-mep="135537" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/crop/1232x826+47+0/resize/628x417!/format/jpg/quality/85/http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/adam/c974ba93a448e3f297ad56c06 12be4fe/BMW-X1-Spy-shot.jpeg" /></a><br />
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BMW's decision to make the upcoming <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/bmw+2+series+active+toure r/">2-Series Active Tourer</a> front-wheel drive has <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/14/bmw-2-series-active-tourer-revealed/">been polarizing to say the least</a>, but like it or not, that is the direction the company will go in the near future - <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2013/07/22/bmw-mini-aim-to-sell-million-cars-off-new-fwd-platform/">one rumor put the number as high as 23</a> front-wheel-drive models for <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/mini/">Mini</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/bmw/">BMW</a> combined. The next-generation <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/bmw/x1/">X1</a> won't send all its power to the front wheels, though, when it launches in early 2016. While it will use the same platform as the Active Tourer, rumors suggest all models will use all-wheel drive - at least at launch.<br />
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A "high-ranking," unnamed BMW manager confirmed to <a href="http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140218/CARNEWS/140219834"><em>AutoWeek</em></a> that the new model will switch to transversely-mounted three- and four-cylinder engines and the same six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions as the Active Tourer. The new, smaller platform will allow for more efficient packaging, and despite the smaller size, interior space will remain comparable. All the changes should make it significantly lighter too.<br />
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Don't start wailing just yet because BMW surely won't be entirely abandoning sporty models. <em>AutoWeek </em>claims that the Bavarians are working on a higher-output version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with power closer to 300 horsepower, about a 72-hp boost. It's also rumored to offer a sporty version of the X1 that may be called the X2.<br />
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2013/10/10/bmw-x1-spy-shots/">We have already spotted</a> the X1 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/17/bmw-x1-spy-shots/">testing multiple times</a>, so it's definitely on the way. In other words, we'll just have to learn to accept these new compact Bimmers.<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/20/next-bmw-x1-fwd-platform/">Next BMW X1 moving to smaller, lighter FWD-biased platform</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:44:00 EST. Please see our <a href="/rss-term-of-use/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/20/next-bmw-x1-fwd-platform/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20833591/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/20/next-bmw-x1-fwd-platform/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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