BMW Concept X1 -- best enjoyed from the driver’s seat?
If this thing was spotted in the wilds of Alaska, Sarah Palin would probably shoot it. This is BMW’s Concept X1, a compact crossover SUV based on the BMW 1 Series compact car. And it’s about now that people should start to worry for BMW, especially its cars badged with an X.
Granted, the Concept X1 was probably off the drawing board and into the clay model stages well before SUV sales in the U.S. fell off the cliff, but it’s hard to find any kind of point for something like this. Especially looking the way it does -- just when the current 3 Series Coupe seemed to herald a more appealing approach to design. Is BMW serious about those wheel arches?
Word from the Paris show has it that something awfully similar will be in the showrooms within a year. No doubt it will have those wonderful engines from the 128i and 135i, and be great to drive -- like all BMWs. But is that really enough?
Photos: EPA / Ian Langsdon, BMW
