BMW Stretches X1 CUV for China

BEIJING – BMW unveils a new long-wheelbase version of its second-generation X1 to be sold exclusively in China.

The stretched version of Munich’s entry-level CUV, which goes under the name X1 Li, measures 179.5 ins. (4,559 mm) in length, making it 3.1 ins. (79 mm) longer than the standard-wheelbase variant of the X1 launch last year and just 3.9 ins. (99 mm) shorter than the existing X3.

The increase in length is concentrated wholly within the wheelbase, providing the X1 Li with a longer rear door and improved rear legroom. Despite the stretch in length, nominal luggage capacity remains the same as the standard-wheelbase X1.

The new BMW will be sold with the choice of two different gasoline engines: a turbocharged 1.5L 3-cyl. generating 134 hp in the front-wheel-drive X1 sDrive18Li and a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cyl. offering 189 hp in the front-drive X1 sDrive20Li and all-wheel-drive X1 xDrive20Li. A gutsier version of the 2.0L delivering 228 hp will be available in the AWD X1 xDrive25Li.

The decision to offer a long wheelbase version of the X1 in China mirrors the move taken with the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer, which is offered with the choice of two different wheelbases, the longer of which is sold under the 2-Series Gran Tourer name.

The X1 has proved particularly popular among Chinese car buyers with more than 200,000 examples of the first-generation model, or nearly a quarter of total production, sold in China. The X1 Li will be produced at a joint-venture factory in Tiexi with BMW’s Chinese partner Brilliance.