Video: BMW X1 Concept SUV

Introduced ahead of its Paris Show world premier on October 2, the X1 Concept is essentially a lightly camouflaged version of the road-going model that will hit BMW’s dealerships in late 2009. Sitting right under the X3 in the Bavarian brand’s SUV/Crossover range, the X1 will be equipped with BMW’s ‘xDrive’ four-wheel drive system as standard. Under the hood expect to see a wide range of 4 and 6-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, hooked up to six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Click here for the official image gallery or follow the jump to watch the video. -Continued

BMW X1 Concept: 25 High Resolution Images

Contrary to popular belief, BMW has a design team that works on projects like the X1 Concept. We may not like what they produce –at least not most of the times, but BMW’s official batch of X1 images that includes more photos of the design team than the vehicle itself as well as the press release that’s all about styling leave no doubt that the Bavarian’s baby SUV was indeed penned by a professional team. Since BMW felt the need to convince us about the X1's styling virtues, there wasn’t any paper left for technical details aside from the fact that the X1 is bigger than the X3. -Continued

To be precise, your fugliness measures 4,457 mm or 175.5" in length, meaning that the Concept X1 is 112 mm or about 4.4" shorter than the BMW X3 which stands at 4,569 mm or 179". The wheelbase of the Concept X1, in turn, measures 2,760 mm or 104.4" versus the X3’s 2,795 mm or 110". Read more about the X1 in our previous post by clicking here.

BMW X1 Concept: First Official Pictures!

Click here for an updated high-res image gallery of the X1

The Bavarian automaker’s X1 Concept will make its formal world premier at the Paris Motor Show in a few days time, but as often is the case the first official photos hit the web a bit earlier. Strip away those aluminum inserts on the X1 Concept and you can easily tell that what you see here is what you’ll get in late 2009 when BMW releases the production version of its baby SUV –slash- Crossover that will sit right under the X3 competing against the likes of the Toyota RAV-4 and VW Tiguan. -Continued

And now to our beloved subject when it comes to new BMWs: the styling. Well, let's put it this way; the X1 does stand out but for all the wrong reasons. The X1’s concave body surfacing and fussy detailing bring to mind the X3 and X5 while the front end with the large headlights and oversize kidney grilles are apparently inspired from the new 7-Series. Overall the X1 is no beauty when it comes to design.

There are no pictures of the X1's cabin as we speak, but we’re guessing the interior styling will mix elements from both the 1-Series and X3. Technical details are also scarce for the time being and the only thing we now for a fact about the X1 Concept is that it is loosely based on the underpinnings of the 1-Series and that it is equipped with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

Stay tuned on Carscoop as we'll add more details as soon as we get hold of them. In the meantime, check out the gallery below or click here to view the official BMW X1 Concept teaser video.

BMW X1 Concept Teaser Video Released!

Automakers are just dying to tease us at this year’s Mondial De L’Automobile show in Paris. The latest car manufacturer to release some sort of teaser is BMW that just launched a cryptic video confirming our inside report that it will indeed present a concept version of its forthcoming entry-level SUV model, the X1, at next month's Paris Show. The production version of BMW’s baby SUV which will compete against the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and VW Tiguan is expected to arrive in global markets by late 2009 or early 2010. Hit the break to check out bimmer’s video along with some teaser shots we took from the film. -Continued

BMW 750i Active-Hybrid 427 HP: Official Details and 22 High-Res Photos

While we’re still trying to figure out what’s so efficient and ‘hybridish’ about a saloon the size of the 7-Series that’s equipped with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 petrol engine, let us tell you that 7-Series ActiveHybrid concept car that will make its debut at the Paris Show in October previews BMW’s first production hybrid model that’s set to go on sale this time next year. Largely based on the new 750i, the ActiveHybrid is equipped with the same mild hybrid system as the Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID. And if you’re wondering why, the system was co-developed by BMW, Merc and GM. -Continued

The 7-Series ActiveHybrid uses the 750i’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers 407 HP with peak torque of 600 Nm or 442 lb-ft combined with an electric motor fully integrated in the transmission housing, developing maximum output of 15 kW/20 hp and peak torque of 210 Newton-metres/155 lb-ft (just like in the case of Merc’s S400 BlueHYBRID).

Electric power is provided by BMW’s latest variant of Brake Energy Regeneration. The energy generated this way is then stored in a high-performance lithium-ion battery. But unlike Mercedes which managed to house the battery in the engine compartment, BMW integrated it in the luggage compartment. As with most BMW’s today, the ActiveHYBRID also features an auto-start-stop function that prevents the combustion engine from running in the idle mode.

BMW has yet to announce official performance or consumption figures for the 7-Series ActiveHYBRID, but the Bavarian automaker did say that the drivetrain technology featured in the concept car combines enhanced driving dynamics together with a reduction of fuel consumption and emissions by 15 per cent in the EU test cycle versus the conventional 750i.