BMW has launched the long wheelbase X1 in India at a price of Rs 49.90 lakh (ex-showroom). This adds to the regular, short wheelbase X1 lineup that continues to be on sale with both petrol and diesel engines. The X1 LWB, however, is solely available with a petrol engine and comes with the M Sport styling package as standard. For reference, the standard wheelbase X1 petrol is priced at Rs 50.90 lakh, which means the X1 LWB is Rs 1 lakh more affordable than the latter.
- X1 LWB solely available with a 156hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine
- Gets a 108mm longer wheelbase than the regular X1
- Comes with improved rear seating and revised suspension tuning
Here's a look at the prices of the BMW X1 range in India:
The new LWB model is now the most affordable variant in X1 lineup.
BMW X1 LWB exterior and interior details
The biggest update on the X1 LWB compared to the standard X1 is that it is dimensionally larger than the latter. It is 116mm longer overall, with 108mm of that added length at the wheelbase alone. Elsewhere, it gets the same peeled-back headlamps, the same M Sport styling pack with sporty-looking bumpers and the same edgy tail-lights. Even the 18-inch alloys have been carried over from the short wheelbase model. The only little distinguishing element is a chrome surround for the large windows, which on the the standard X1 gets a blacked-out finish. A shadow package, however, is available as an optional extra. The X1 LWB is available in four colors – Night Dusk Blue, Skyscraper Grey, Carbon Black and Mineral White.
On the inside, apart from the obvious additional legroom for the rear seat passengers, the X1 LWB also gets a redone rear seat. There’s enhanced cushioning, while a 15mm longer seat base adds a bit more by way of thigh support. You also have the option to recline the backrest by a couple of degrees.
Up front, the X1 LWB is no different from the standard-wheelbase X1. The dashboard gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch touchscreen, asymmetric AC vents and also an upright wireless phone charging pad at the base of the dash. There’s also a floating centre console, which houses a few key buttons, such as for the gear selector, volume control and driving modes.
You also get features like a adaptive LED headlamps, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, powered front seat and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. It, however, misses out on ventilation and massage functions for the front seats, as well as dedicated climate zone for the rear passengers. The safety kit includes 8 airbags, ABS, ESC and Isofix child-seat mounts, among other features. The X1 LWB also packs a few ADAS functions such as auto emergency braking and lane departure warning and assist. Adaptive cruise control, however, is missing.
BMW X1 LWB powertrain and specs
Under the hood, the X1 LWB just gets a sole engine option - a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder direct-injection turbo-petrol engine developing 156hp (up by 20hp over the X1) and 230Nm. This is routed to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, and in our testing, the X1 LWB achieved a 0-100kph time of 9.58 seconds. Unlike the standard X1, the LWB will not be offered with a diesel engine. BMW has also tweaked the X1 LWB’s suspension to deliver better ride comfort.
The X1, uniquely, is the only long-wheelbase model in its segment where it sees competition from the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and Mini Countryman C. For reference, the standard wheelbase X1 is priced at Rs 50.90 lakh (ex-showroom).
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
Dipan Sur
Hormazd Sorabjee
