Frankfurt debut: BMW X1
We've known about the X1 for some time - it was unveiled as a near production-ready concept last October in Paris - but only now can we see it in its official, showroom-prepared guise.
What's all the fuss about?
We'd be lying if we said the X1 was a showstopper - even on BMW's stand alone it's outshone by the likes of the EfficientDynamics Concept and the quirky 5 Series GT - but it's an important car for BMW for two very good reasons: it will probably sell in droves, and it will allow BMW to move the below-par X3 upmarket next time around.
Anything that stands out?
It's not actually that small, really, despite being the 'baby' of the four-strong family of Beemer SUVs. It is, however, a sharper looking 4x4 than the X3 and will be available in a rear-wheel drive (sDrive) as well as four-wheel drive (xDrive), which by our reckoning makes it the first rear drive SUV there ever was. Three engines will be available at first - all diesel - with the 18d and 20d versions available with two or four wheels driven. They've got 143bhp and 177bhp respectively, and the range topper is a 204bhp twin-turbo 23d.
When can I buy one?
From 24th October exactly, although we're certain that a BMW dealer will take your order now if you go there with a chequebook. Prices start at £22,660 for an sDrive18d and rise to £29,055 for an xDrive 23d. And any illusion you may have had about this being the 'affordable' BMW SUV has just been shattered - it's still a premium product.
Frankfurt debut: BMW X1 pictures
