BMW has revealed the new X1 four months prior to its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2015. It goes on sale internationally later this year, and is based on the front-wheel-drive UKL platform that also underpins cars from sister-brand Mini.

A more compact transverse engine layout replaces the longitudinal arrangement, leading to more interior space and improved safety credentials. Engine options in the international markets include a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in two states of tune and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel in three outputs.

The 2.0-litre petrol unit is tuned to deliver 189bhp and 28.5kgm in the X1 sDrive20i, and 228bhp and 35.7kgm in the more powerful xDrive25i. The 25i has a claimed 0-100kph time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 235kph. The diesel engine, codenamed B47, replaces the N47 unit used by the previous X1. It delivers 148bhp and 33.6kgm in the sDrive18d; 187bhp and 40.8kgm in the xDrive20d, and 228bhp and 46kgm in the xDrive25d. In the future, BMW is likely to add the three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines that do duty in the Mini Cooper, to the X1’s engine line-up.

The entry-level X1 sDrive18d is the only model to receive a standard six-speed manual gearbox. All other new X1 models come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which, in combination with the optional Driver Experience Control, includes a coasting function that disengages the clutch when you lift off the throttle at speeds between 50 and 160kph as standard.

The X1 sDrive18d and sDrive20i come as standard with front-wheel drive, while the others — the xDrive20i, xDrive25i, xDrive20d and xDrive25d — all get four-wheel drive as standard. BMW claims the four-wheel drive system used by the new X1 is considerably lighter and boasts a 30 percent reduction in torque losses, over the older arrangement for added fuel savings and greater traction in off-road conditions. Among the long list of standard driving aids on all models is DSC (dynamic stability control), DTC (dynamic traction control) and CBC (cornering brake control).