Geneva Preview: AC Schnitzer Treats the new BMW X1 SUV

After showing us all sorts of alloy wheel designs for the new BMW X1, AC Schnitzer announced today that it will celebrate the world premiere of its complete tuning package for the Bavarian automaker's compact SUV/Crossover at next month's Geneva Motor Show.

The main event of the German company's tune are the new upgrades for the X1's diesel powerplants. With these kits, output of the xDrive23d's 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged unit raises from 204HP to 240HP; the "s" and xDrive20d's 2.0-liter turbo from 177HP to 210HP and the "s" and xDrive18d's 2.0-liter turbo from 143HP to 171HP.

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BMW Adds New Four- and Six-Cylinder Gasoline Engines to X1 SUV Range

Starting from March 2010, BMW's most compact X model will be available (in most markets) with a new entry-level four-cylinder version and an additional six-cylinder power unit expanding the engine portfolio available in the X1 to a total of three gasoline and three diesel engines.

The new entry-level X1 sDrive18i is powered by BMW's 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit producing 150HP at 6,400 rpm and a peak torque of 200Nm or 147 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm.

When fitted with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, the rear-wheel drive (that's what the 'sDrive' moniker stands for) crossover accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 202 km/h or 125 mph.

In conjunction with the optional six-speed automatic transmission, the X1 sDrive18i reaches 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds and has a top speed of 200 km/h or 124 mph.

BMW announces a combined fuel economy in the EU test cycle of 8.2 lt/ 100km (equal to 28.7 mpg US and 34.4 mpg UK) with a CO2 rating of 191 g/km for the manual model. The corresponding figures on the automatic transmission model are 8.4 lt /100 km (equal to 28 mpg US and 33.6 mpg UK) and, respectively, 195 g/km of CO2.

Supplementing the top-of-the-range 258HP X1 xDrive28i is the new X1 xDrive25i that comes with a straight-six petrol that delivers an output of 218HP at 6,100 rpm and 277Nm/204 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm.

Featuring BMW's intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed automatic transmission as standard, the X1 xDrive25i sprints from 0- 100 km/h (62mph) in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 223 km/h or 138 mph.

According to the Bavarian firm, the xDrive25i's combined fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 9.3 lt/100 km (equal to 25.2 mpg US and 30.4 mpg UK) with a CO2 emission rating of 217 g/km.

In addition to the two new engine variants, for 2010, BMW has extended the availability of its six-speed automatic transmission to the X1 xDrive18d, X1 sDrive18d, and the X1 sDrive20d models while the range of paintworks has been enhanced with five new shades - Space Grey, Cashmere Silver, Tasman, Sparkling Bronze, and Graphite Blue metallic.

We remind you that BMW's baby crossover / SUV model is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in 2011.

Kids Build Full-Scale BMW X1 Replica Made out of LEGO Blocks

As everyone who has played with the famous colored bricks knows, with LEGO, nothing is impossible. Not even a full-size replica of a BMW X1 that was created by 800 children aged between 5 and 13 years old (with a little help from the Bavarian automaker's staff of course) who visited the BMW Welt in Munich last week. The build of the yellow-colored X1 took four days and approximately 165,000 LEGO bricks to complete.

The project was not only fun for the young participants but also served a good cause as for every LEGO block that was used, BMW donated a specific amount of money to the Munich children's foundation "Die Arche".

The finished X1 replica made out of LEGO bricks will go on display for the public to see alongside the automaker's real-life vehicles at the BMW Welt Plaza, from November 25.

AC Schnitzer "Alloys Up" the new BMW X1 Compact SUV

It won't be long before AC Scnitzer goes all crazy on the Bavarian automaker's new X1 with numerous mechanical upgrades and styling accessories, but for the time being, the seasoned BMW tuner has presented three new sets of alloy wheels for the compact-sized SUV/crossover. Depending on the design they choose, buyers can opt for 18-, 19- or 20-inch versions of the alloy wheels. Hit the break for the complete photo gallery.

2011 BMW X3 SUV Scooped: Grows in Size, Could get a Hybrid Version

After the presentation of the all-new X1 SUV, BMW's engineers are now busy preparing the second-generation X3 which is due to arrive in international markets in 2011. Based on the next 3-Series platform architecture, the new X3 bears the codename F25 and will come with all-wheel drive or as BMW calls it, xDrive. It is possible though that just like the smaller X1, the Bavarian automaker may also offer rear-wheel drive only variants of its compact SUV.

The introduction of the X1 in BMW's SUV range should result in an increase of the X3's exterior dimensions in order to further differentiate the two models. As it stands now, the Bavarian SUVs are similar in size, with the X1 being just 4.5 inches (114 mm) shorter, 2.2 inches (55 mm) narrower and 5.1 inches (130 mm) lower than the current X3.

While the prototype model's funky disguise does not reveal much about the design, it is expected that the new X3 will do away with the current model's flame-surface styling adopting many design cues from BMW's latest vehicles such as the 7-Series as well as the Concept CS. As for the interior, buyers should look forward to higher quality materials and a more contemporary design for the dashboard.

There'll be a wide engine range to choose from, with gasolines ranging from the 170HP 2.0-litre four-banger to a range-topping 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six while the diesel line-up will include numerous four- and six-cylinder engines.

It has also been reported that the next-generation X3 will gain a hybrid variant featuring a gasoline engine and a high-performance electric motor that will allow the vehicle to to be driven on electric power only, on the combustion engine alone, or with a combination of both power units.

Whereas the current X3 is built under contract by Magna Steyr in Austria, the new compact SUV will be manufactured at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina alongside the X5 and X6 models.