By adding a fourth line of SUVs, BMW is signaling that it believes that customers are still interested in a vehicle that can get the job done on the road and, if need be, be taken off the road. Based on the same platform underpinning its 1-series line of cars, the X1 will be powered by a standard 2.0L I4 gas engine paired with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. That arrangement should help the X1 break the 30 mpg highway barrier, but it could be that a similar sized diesel engine will have the greatest appeal for customers as BMW estimates that its 2.0L diesel will achieve about 45 mpg on the highway.
