BMW Australia has confirmed the first M-badge X1 The SUV will be in local showrooms before the end of the year, using a more powerful engine than its European counterpart.
The local division of the Bavarian marque will bring in 233kW/400Nm version BMW X1 M35i xDrive in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of 12kW compared to confirmed output for the European market.
Australia joins the US and “selects other markets” in offering the more powerful tune, although it doesn’t appear to have any effect on official performance figures, with BMW citing the same 5.4 seconds sprint from 0 to 100km/h.
Full pricing and specification for our market will be “announced before launch”, but for reference, the existing X1 xDrive20i M Sport costs from $74,300 before on-road costs, while the equally powerful 230kW/494Nm iX1 xDrive30 all-electric model is priced. from $84,900 plus on-road – expect the M35i to be in line with the latter.
However, we do know that the Australian model will feature Adaptive M suspension and sports steering as standard, 20-inch M light-alloy wheels (EU gets 19s as standard). Australian customers will get the M Compound brake option from early 2024.
The Australian-spec X1 M35i xDrive will also introduce the new BMW Operating System 9 with Quick Select function, and will also feature a panoramic glass roof, leather upholstery, and a premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system as standard equipment.
The new Halo M Performance of the new-generation BMW X1 range features the most powerful four-cylinder unit from the brand’s latest generation of engines, and will be one of the first models in the BMW line-up to offer its new Operating System 9 infotainment. interface.
M-fettled X1 title is a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine generate 221kW (5750-6500rpm) and 400Nm (2000-4500rpm) in European specification, or 233kW in “US and other select markets” including Australia.
BMW claims the X1 M35i can run from 0-100km/h in 5.4 secondswith top speed electronically limited to 250km/h.
Drive is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddles, as well as the M Sport Boost function. Hold the left paddle for “at least one second” and “all power systems and chassis are switched to the sportiest settings”.
The xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system also gets a mechanical limited-slip differential built into the seven-speed transmission, which cites a locking factor of up to 26 percent to limit the speed difference between the front wheels, resulting in increased traction.
Distinguishing features of the X1 M35i externally include an M-specific front splitter and kidney grille treatment with vertical twin bars, M-specific side mirrors, 20-inch wheels exclusive to this model with optional 19-inch M Compound brakes, as well as an M-specific roof spoiler.
The X1 M35i is the first BMW M Performance model to feature four tailpipes at the rear, normally reserved for full-fat M models.
Inside, there’s a large M leather steering wheel with red 12 o’clock markers and M-colored stitching, M-specific shift paddles, available M Sport seats with backlit M logos, as well as an updated BMW Curve Display that runs the new BMW Operations. System 9.
Compared to the existing Operating System 8.0, the ninth generation of BMW iDrive has a newly designed home screen and QuickSelect function. This brings an improved menu structure “that takes cues from the user’s electronic devices” – ie smartphones and tablets.
BMW says the new infotainment interface also brings a “broader range of digital content” and a “shorter functionality update cycle”, as well as “better access to a range of certain online services”. The new system has a flat menu structure and more customization to allow customers to display the information they want up front.
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