BMW X1 replacement to go front wheel drive

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As James May once eloquently put it, BMW think Front Wheel Drive is the work of Satan. That was quite a while back and the idea stood true.

Nowadays however it seems that practicality is beating one of the core ideas out of the Bavarian brand. We’ve been threatened with a FWD BMW for a while now and it seems we’ve got news of the first one.

Surprisingly, it’s not going to be the 1 Series or any compact that would slot in below it. It is actually going to be the next generation of the BMW X1.

Granted, the next generation of the BMW 1 Series will follow suit, and there will probably be other models to cross the same path, but the X1 will be remembered as the betrayer.

The small crossover will share its platform with another product of the BMW Group that nestles in these traits, namely the Mini Countryman.

It’s not the sharpest thing in the world to drive but it does well for a crossover and while I’m certain BMW will make it even better, a little part inside me has died.

Aside from this bit of bad news, I’m not very impressed with the way BMW will also be updating the powerplant choices.

The six cylinder big boys are going to be eliminated and apart from keeping the smaller four pots, there’s also a good chance that we’ll see the 1.5 liter three cylinder in there.

Overall, not the most impressive ideas are coming together in the next BMW X1. The BMW brand dilution is not cool but then again crossovers and SUVs shouldn’t be there either.